John Edwards refuses to cross picket line

[salvorhardin]

<snip>
Democratic vice presidential candidate John Edwards canceled his appearance at a Providence campaign fund-raiser yesterday, refusing to cross a firefighters' picket line staged because of the union's ongoing dispute with this city's Democratic mayor.

The North Carolina senator had been scheduled to attend a reception at the downtown Biltmore Hotel, which an organizer said brought in nearly $500,000 for the presidential ticket of Sen. John Kerry and Edwards.
</snip>

<snip>
``Once the campaign learned there would be a picket line at the event due to a contract dispute with the city, we canceled this trip,'' said Kim Rubey, a spokeswoman for Edwards. ``John Edwards does not cross picket lines.''
</snip>

More...
http://news.bostonherald.com/election/view.bg?articleid=46348

[Stephanie]

1. "John Edwards does not cross picket lines.''

That's my man.

[salvorhardin]

4. When I saw that line

"John Edwards does not cross picket lines"

I literally let out a little whoop of joy! That's a line that should be plastered everywhere.

[Cha]

13. "John Edwards does not cross picket lines.''

"John Edwards does not cross picket lines.''

"John Edwards does not cross picket lines.''

SING IT OUT!

[struggle4progress]

14. Yippie!

:)

[Mojambo]

2. John Edwards - Good man. n/t

[wicket]

3. Edwards/Obama 2012

:D

[dolstein]

5. Why are firefighters picketing Kerry/Edwards events?

That's what I'd like to know. This is a local dispute, between the firefighter's union and the mayor. I can understand why the firefighters might want to picket city hall, or demonstrate at the mayor's photo ops. But to target national Democrats who dare to set foot in Providence strikes me as nothing short of blackmail. If these unions are so stupid that they can't tell that Kerry/Edwards are on their side, and would actively seek to undermine the efforts of the campaign simply to score some PR points in a local dispute, then I say f*ck them and their picket line.

[sangh0]

6. Because it works

Picketing Repukes is a waste of time.

It reminds me of my favorite saying - "No good deed goes unpunished"

[salvorhardin]

7. In the article the firefighter's union

would have called off the picket line if the Mayor had not attended. I assumed they communicated this to him beforehand and apparently the Mayor decided hobnobbing with the fundraisers and Edwards was important enough to disregard the union. Apparently he has disregarded the union at every turn. I'm sure there are two sides to the story but I (personally) approve of the union picketing and Edward's response.

Just my opinion. I can understand where you're coming from though.

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

8. Right on!

His staff ought be mailing this info to every union/guild/brotherhood in the country just to make sure working men and women know how he stands!

[donco6]

9. I'll send him more money to make up for his loss.

It's worth it.

[hippiechick]

10. Nice but it would have been more effective if

Edwards would have gone and stood with the firefighters, and spoke to them - perhaps having an impromptu rally outside the hotel - instead of not showing up at all.

JMHO ~

[davsand]

12. Yes, organizing would have been better--but I'll take what I can get.

I'll grant you that Edwards would have been seen as WAY more labor supportive had he been outside with the picketers. However, given the lack of attention many Dems pay to labor, I'll accept whatever I can get in the way of public support. Refusal to cross a picket line is a VERY good thing.

On a personal note, I WALK picket lines with strikers and have been in conflict with my local Dem party over it more than once. I figure so be it. If I have to choose, Labor will come first every time. They have always been there for me.

Maybe Edwards is of a similar mindset.


Laura

[AP]

16. He stopped at picket lines during the primaries and stood with the

workers.

Although I'm not mad about how the primaries worked out, I wonder how many more DU'ers would have stood with Edwards during the primaries if they realized then what he was all about.

[IIgnoreNobody]

11. Good for you, JE! nt

[Triana]

15. that's the man i voted for!

..when i lived in nc.

[PeaceProgProsp]

17. ...and a T-shirt to celebrate this story.