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Obama slinks away from Wisconsin union fight

After throwing the weight of the presidency and its campaign apparatus behind the Wisconsin public workers’ unions, the Obama regime is now backing away. The New York Times reports the regime claims it did “nothing to encourage the demonstrations in Wisconsin.”

This latest bit of Obama trying to have it both ways can only mean someone has read the polls and knows Obama blew it.

Last week President Obama and his reelection organs — Organizing for America and the Democratic National Committee, went all in with support for the Wisconsin public workers’ unions in the kerfuffle with Governor Scott Walker over the state’s budget.

The Washington Post reported on Friday that Obama “thrust himself and his political operation this week into Wisconsin’s broiling budget battle, mobilizing opposition to legislation that would curb public-worker benefits and planning similar protests in other state capitals.” According to the Post:

* Obama accused went so far as to accuse Gov. Walker of an “assault” on unions.

* The president’s political machine worked in close coordination with state and national union officials to get thousands of protesters to gather in Madison and to plan similar demonstrations in other state capitals.

* Democrat Party officials were organizing additional demonstrations in Ohio and Indiana, where an effort is underway to trim benefits for public workers.

* The White House political operation, Organizing for America, got involved Monday, after Democratic National Committee Chairman Kaine spoke to union leaders in Madison. The group made phone calls, distributed messages via Twitter and Facebook, and sent e-mails to state and national lists to try to build crowds for rallies Wednesday and Thursday, a party official said.

The OFA’s involvement is highlighted on it’s website. Evidence of the Twitter support can be seen here.

Politico’s Ben Smith and Glenn Thrush also separately reported the Involvement of Obama and his political operation, as did ABC’s Devin Dwyer.

Now Obama is trying to disown his support for the Wisconsin public unions because it is as monumental a political blunder as was the Obamacrats cramming the unpopular ObamaCare down our throats in the face strong public opposition. Like the ObamaCare, Public workers’ unions are not popular.

Last week Rasmussen Reports released a poll that found 70% of likely voters think voters are more willing to make the hard choices needed to reduce federal spending than elected politicians are. Fifty-five percent (55%) don’t think President Obama’s proposed $3.7 trillion 2012 budget includes enough spending cuts, and 40% of don’t think the GOP spending cuts go far enough either.

Also, A poll from the Clarus Group found that 64% do not think that government employees should be represented by labor unions.

Perhaps more important, Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll finds Obama’s popularity has returned to pre-tax deal levels. Obama’s Strongly Disapprove numbers are back in 40% range, giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -18. These are similar to disapproval ratings Obama had during the midterms when the Democrats got shellacked.

COMMENTS

  • romeg

    the Obama regime claims it did ?nothing to encourage the demonstrations in Wisconsin.? then that is a bald faced lie.

    Obama excoriated Governor Walker for his alleged union busting tactics even while his own budget (such as it is) is nothing more than a boatload of red ink to be added to the sea of red that threatens to inundate us all.

    As Governor Walker said himself, it might make more sense for The President to balance his own budget and, in effect Butt Out of State politics.

    • MNConservative

      Say it ain’t so!! LOL

      • rickbull

        is more honest than Abraham Lincoln! ;)

  • lukematthews

    ?The president has been accused of watching situations to see how they develop, so I think the fact that he issued a clear, clean, quick statement was critical for the relationship. It helps enormously,? said former Service Employees International Union president Andy Stern, a key Obama labor ally who served on his deficit commission. 02/18/2011 Politico.

    When the SEIU thug who visited Obama in the White House more than anyone else says Obama is for the unions, it means Obama has taken their side. For the Party-run press and the useful idiots at the White House to claim otherwise only shows their duplicity for this man and The Party. Not to mention their inability to keep their stories straight.

  • creditman

    More and more we see the emotional immaturity of the liberal.

    They just can’t keep it in their pants. (Male or Female)

    The just have to do what feels right!

  • The_Gadfly

    as soon as Back of the Bus Barry threw his firm and unconditional support behind them. The Reverend Wright could have told him that’s the last thing The Godfather says before he throws you under the bus.

  • scarlos

    48% Back Walker to 38% who back the Unions. Not the most solid of numbers, but consdiering the Democrats still seem to think this is a winning issue for them, I’m more then happy to let them pick this hill to die on.

    http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/general_politics/february_2011/48_back_gop_governor_in_wisconsin_spat_38_side_with_unions

  • jdw4america

    If this does not give proof to the fact that the man @ 1600 is incapable of intelligent thought, then nothing does. Honestly, he needs interplanetary translator to help him out.

    Earth to idiot – you lost the 2010 elections. It was not a manly “shellacking” as you and yours like to call it, oh no. It was a down and dirty b^*chslapping, and it seems that it’s only the first coming down the pike for you on the left. Go tell your fellow socialist goons to put on their big girl panties and get back to work or the grownups are going to have to meet out some more spankings. We are not backing down, and your dim-witted vacillation makes you look weak…again. Idiot.

  • carolina

    I thought Daley was going to help save obama from himself. So far……. Daley is failing wide open.

  • Carol Tarasewicz

    It si 11:36 pm on 2/21/2011 and Barack Obama’s opeOFA has not changed a thing about supporting unions in WI.
    Below is a cut & paste from OFA, Obama cannot walk away from this statement.

    Organizing for America is mobilizing on the ground in Wisconsin to defend the rights of public employees from an attempt by the governor to take away their right to organize.

    This needs to be saved and used in 2012 presidentail campaigns.