Obama Seeks to Make Amends With Unions Over Tax Deal

[somone]

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-12-17/obama-seeks-to-make-amends-with-unions-activists-over-tax-deal.html

Obama Seeks to Make Amends With Unions Over Tax Deal
By Kate Andersen Brower

President Barack Obama today will meet with union leaders to try to heal a relationship strained by his agreement to extend Bush-era tax cuts. Behind the scenes, the White House is waging a broader campaign among Democratic Party loyalists to undo damage over the deal... “The president is trying to build consensus among labor leaders for his compromise tax policy” said Amy B. Dean, a former official with the AFL-CIO labor federation. The administration has “no problem reaching out to the labor movement when they need labor to be part of their electoral coalition. But they quickly forget that labor has a role to play in their governing coalition.”

The president may find union leaders hard to win over during today’s meeting. In a statement after the House vote, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka said “this deal comes at a terrible price” and vowed to “redouble” efforts and “fight harder” on behalf of working people. In a Dec. 15 statement Trumka said he wanted the House to change the tax agreement to eliminate what he called an “indefensible” reduction in the estate tax, which he said was “simply another bonus to the super-rich.”

Obama and Labor Secretary Hilda Solis are scheduled to meet at 2 p.m. in the White House’s Roosevelt Room with labor leaders, in discussions the White House says will focus on jobs and the economy. Among those attending are Trumka; United Steelworkers President Leo Gerard; American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten; Service Employees International Union President Mary Kay Henry, and United Auto Workers President Bob King.

Obama’s Dec. 6 announcement that he would agree to renew the Bush tax cuts in exchange for extending unemployment insurance and lowering the payroll tax boosted stocks, with the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rising to a two-year high in early trading the next day. Liberal activists responded to the deal by lashing out at the president. “President Obama let down millions of voters who trusted him when he said he would fight for his core campaign promise -- ending the Bush tax cuts for the rich,” Adam Green, co-founder of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, said in a Dec. 6 e-mail to the grassroots group, which claims 650,000 members... Not everyone considers liberal angst a serious problem. Angry progressives are “like gnats” who won’t be able to stop Obama from being re-elected, said Democratic strategist James Carville. Carville said there isn’t a lot progressives can do to hurt the president other than “run around.”... Carville said the White House shouldn’t be too concerned about the pushback.

[Hello_Kitty]

1. For people as supposedly inconsequential as we progressives are

The admin and other establishment Dems sure seem to want to bash us a lot.

[jtown1123]

9. I hope Trumka lays into him. He's been really good on blasting these awful initiatives.

[gateley]

2. I don't know if Carville realizes how angry some some of these "gnats" really are. nt

[Donnachaidh]

3. Carville's an out of date scumbucket -- go back to that garishly decorated house

He and his republican suck up wife own.

[sulphurdunn]

4. The only thiing the unions have to loose

by making amends with Obama is their credibility.

[old mark]

5. Mr. Obama, it's not just the "tax deal" - it is YOUR SUPPORT of Blanche Lincoln

and the condemnation of Unions in that campaign. It is nice that you remember us now, but we would have liked a little support for our issues and candidates rather than just for your friends.

In case you don't remember WE VOTED FOR YOU IN 2008.
I am assuming you will want us to do so again in 2012.

We might not have as much money to contribute as the banks, but we certainly can swing a large block of votes and we expect a little more real action rather than just nice talk.

Mark

Former AFSCME Steward

[Hell Hath No Fury]

6. Wow.

So now I am a "gnat". :wow:

Sorry Jimmie, this "gnat" isn't going to be shit repeatedly on and expected to like it anymore.

Just sayin'.

[Hawkeye-X]

7. Veto the damn bill. That's the best thing you can do for the unions.

But you'll ignore me, and ignore the unions and find ways to screw the unions.

That's why I would like to see no-confidence votes built in the Constitution somewhere.

[Tatiana]

8. I think any amends the President makes should be as public as his previous chastisements.

I have no hope for Weingarten, but I think Trumka will articulate labor's concerns quite well (and stand up firmly for working class people).

Whatever happened to EFCA??????

[Brickbat]

10. Remember EFCA? How's that looking now, Mr. President?

:eyes:

[Old Codger]

11. A Little

Post coital snuggling.....

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

12. Anolther "Suck it up" message from the White House.