Senate Dem Michael Bennet Dines With CEOs After Airing EFCA Skepticism

[JI7]

Only days after speaking out skeptically on the labor community's highest legislative priority, the Employee Free Choice Act, Bennett will be attending a "CEO Reception" hosted by the EFCA foes: the Colorado Association of Commerce & Industry.

Bennet's aides say that the event is not a fundraiser, just one of many guest appearances and meetings that he is hosting in his home state. "He met with AFL-CIO Executive Committee this morning," said aide Craig Hughes. "He is very much talking to both sides of the aisle about a wide variety issues including health care and how to create jobs."

This past week, he disappointed labor leaders by declaring that the Employee Free Choice Act, "right now" isn't "something that can be passed."

That he would dine with the Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry a few days later gives fodder to the cynics. But the Senator's office insist that he is not closing any doors when it comes to labor's legislative priority.

"Michael continues to keep an open mind on the Employee Free Choice Act," said Hughes. "He is meeting with both sides to discuss not only EFCA but to get real health care reform passed this year, and how to get Colorado economy moving to create jobs."

http://www.jacksonville.com/interact/blog/efca_now/2009-04-09/senate_dem_michael_bennet_dines_with_ceos_after_airing_efca_skepti