Unions rip GOP, cite oil policies

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080612/NEWS01/806120428

By Michelle Day • [e-mail] • June 12, 2008

About 30 union representatives protested outside a Louisville gas station yesterday, accusing Sen. John McCain, the Republican presidential candidate, and President Bush of backing tax breaks for oil companies and urging an end to it.

At times during the one-hour protest, organized by the AFL-CIO, passing motorists would honk in support of the demonstrators, who held signs saying "Bush & McCain Love Big Oil."

On Tuesday, Democratic Senate candidate Bruce Lunsford continued his "On the Job" stops, working at a gas station for a day to get to know the concerns of Kentuckians better, a campaign press release said.

Phil Laemmle, a former University of Louisville political science professor, said gas stations could continue to be a big part of politics this election because prices are so high.

"They'll be a big factor in the sense that it's something that touches virtually everybody. They want some kind of redress for grievances," he said.

But Laemmle said the protests, though popular, may be misguided.

"Going to Thorntons and standing out there … doesn't get at the issue of supply and the weak dollar," he said.

FULL story at link.