"The Right Thing"

American Rights at Work is launching a statewide ad today in PA asking if Sen. Arlen Specter (D) will stand with America's workers to support the Employee Free Choice Act or with the corporate interests that the group asserts are responsible for the country's economic malaise.

"Pennsylvania backed Specter when he was the deciding vote for President Obama's stimulus package," the ad says. "It's already bringing new jobs. Specter usually does the right thing. Two years ago; he supported the Employee Free Choice Act, to help working people join together for fair pay and benefits. So now, where will Specter stand? With Obama, Biden, and the working families of Pennsylvania... Or with greedy CEOs, and Big Business lobbyists?"

The ad will run on cable and broadcast at least through the congressional recess and longer if need be, according to a spokesman. This is the first spot targeting Specter since he flipped parties a few weeks ago.

"This new ad makes it clear that the debate on the Employee Free Choice is really a choice between helping the corporations who drove this economy out of balance or helping working people who are losing their homes and their jobs," said Kimberly Freeman, American Rights at Work acting executive director. "We hope Senator Specter will join the President and the majority of Congress who understand that if we truly wish to restore our middle class, workers must be able to bargain, not borrow their way to a better life."

Specter has said "card check" is a bad bill.

"I will not be an automatic sixtieth vote," he said in April of the proposal, which would make it easier for unions to organize.

"I think it is a bad bill, and I'm opposed to it and would not vote to invoke cloture," Specter added during a press conference announcing his decision to leave the GOP.

Meanwhile, the AFL-CIO is also vowing to make 10K calls to Specter's office. The group will field an endorsement event with 100 PA small business owners and launch labor walks across the state.

Pres. Obama has offered his support for card check, but Republicans assert that the legislation, if approved by the Democratic Congress, will serve as a key campaign issue during the 2010 midterms, as evidence that the party in power is beholden to big labor at the expense of the nation's economic interests.

A vote will be an early test of how flexible Specter, who faces a challenging re-elect next year in a state that backed Obama in 2008, will be in the name of loyalty to his new party.

(JENNIFER SKALKA)

"The Right Thing" TV: 30

VO:
Pennsylvania backed Specter when he was the deciding vote for President Obama's stimulus package.

It's already bringing new jobs.

Specter usually does the right thing.

Two years ago; he supported the Employee Free Choice Act, to help working people join together for fair pay and benefits.

So now, where will Specter stand?

With Obama, Biden, and the working families of Pennsylvania...

Or with greedy CEOs, and Big Business lobbyists?

Call and Tell Specter Pennsylvania's for him.....As long as he's for the Employee Free Choice Act.