Auto workers become focus of Michigan fight

[BeatleBoot]

Auto workers become focus of Michigan fight

UAW backs Kerry despite stance to hike fuel economy

<snip>

The UAW, a longtime pillar of Michigan politics, has endorsed Kerry, citing major problems with the way President Bush has handled the economy, foreign trade and workplace issues.

But the rank and file of the union doesn’t always do what its leaders want. Home to many of the famous “Reagan Democrats” of years past, UAW members will be a prime target for Republican appeals on social issues ranging from gun control to gay marriage.

It remains to be seen which factors ultimately will decide the race. But a look at the appeals to the UAW and its members shows how each campaign is honing its message — and which issues are likely to be the battleground in this battleground state.

http://www.detnews.com/2004/editorial/0408/08/a11-235267.htm

[saigon68]

1. The UAW is an anthema to the RePukes

This is one Union they would LOVE To Bust

[Lefty48197]

2. The Detroit News is so full of sh*t

They can try to drive a wedge between the Democratic voters, and our party. They've been trying for decades. If the Detroit News truly cared about the auto workers, then they would stop trying to bust their union.
84% of UAW members support the higher CAFE standards. Only the Detroit News could try to spin that otherwise.
And Candice Miller should just continue to drink her kool aid. She is scared sh*tless of the UAW. She knows that election day is now a holiday for the UAW, and that their foot soldiers will be out in force working to turn out the Democratic vote. Candice is no fool. She'll pray for rain on election day, before she'll pray for a 100% UAW turn-out.
That's a good question for Candice Miller: "Would you like to see 100% turn-out among the UAW voters"? Of course she wouldn't answer the question directly. She fears the UAW voters.

[5thGenDemocrat]

3. Second-hand anecdotal report from Delphi Plant 3 (Saginaw)

My buddy Mike B, an 18-year UAW man in the packing department tells me he's never seen the level of talk about politics at the plant (a topic that is generally stayed away from). He adds that almost everyone intends to get out to vote and vote Democratic.
And, yes, the Detroit News is the Republican Party's mouthpiece here in Michigan and has been forever. It's actually a pretty good newspaper -- provided you stay away from the editorial pages, which generally read like the Beobachter Arbeirer.
John
I should also note that when Dopey came to town this past week, the Saginaw Police Department DID NOT set up "free speech zones." They let the protesters gather directly across Johnson Street from the Event Center, where Chimpy was babbling. Several hundred came to protest and there were no arrests (actually, there was one -- but it wasn't one of us, it was a radical anti-choice type).