As SEIU Bulks Up In MA, GOP Pays Attention
SEIU has stepped up its involvement in MA in the waning days of the race, sending hundreds of volunteers and hundreds of thousands of dollars to the state on behalf of AG Martha Coakley (D).
The union, one of the most powerful arrows in the Dem quiver, is spending $685K on TV ads touting Coakley and slamming state Sen. Scott Brown (R), and a spokesperson for SEIU says it will have 300 volunteers on the ground on Tuesday.
The heightened activity has some GOPers on edge, and at least one group is worried SEIU could be taking over for ACORN as a top organizational tool benefiting Dem candidates.
"This whole thing is turnout, and this looks like the place the SEIU-ACORN folks turn on the turnout machine. They did it in Minnesota, successfully," said David Norcross, chair of the Republican National Lawyers Association.
The RNLA will send its own volunteers to MA for Election Day, with plans to monitor polling places to prevent any fraud. The group got a tip that SEIU-sponsored buses would be taking voters to the polls, Norcross said.
"Here's more proof the Republican attack machine has no answers on the issues Massachusetts voters care about -- jobs, healthcare and fixing the mess left by the previous administration," shot back Jon Youngdahl, SEIU's national political director. "Their biggest concern? That people who work hard for a living might turn out and vote."
One source with knowledge of labor-backed turnout operations says a successful turnout drive can be worth 1 or 2 points for a candidate, and that in a low-turnout special election that turns into a tight race, that can make all the difference.
SEIU spokesperson Christy Setzer did not address whether the unions would have buses available to help voters get to the polls, but she confirmed the union will help Dems turn out key voters.
"We are engaging in a variety of activities to bring out the vote -- particularly the base vote -- leading up to the election," Youngdahl added, citing phone-banking, door-to-door visits and outreach to SEIU members in the state.
Thugs will be thugs. We all know that thugs will do what they like when they like. They do not believe in laws! Now we are seeing them infiltrate the state of Massachussets to practice
their thuggery on those that are not of their party. Be careful....the next time they will be
coming for someone in your party.
Inexplicably missing from this article is the crucial fact that SEIU represents over 100,000 workers in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and those workers will form the backbone of any GOTV effort targeting working families. An important point that undercuts the argument a nutjob like "tess" just made.
Mark, there is a difference between "SEIU represents 100,000" and "SEIU has 100,000 dues-paying members". I used to work in a warehouse, and I had to pay union dues to work there despite the fact that I didn't want to be a union member. The union did not "represent" me, they took my money week in and week out and they gave my sweat money to political causes I didn't support. Next week, union bosses from all over the country will bus union employees to the Massachusetts polling places, telling non-english-speaking illegals and green-card-holding non-citizen workers how to vote so that a Democrat-controlled and hugely-rejected universal health bill (with union exemptions!)will pass. You want "inexplicable", go ahead and tell me how that's right.
Thank you keith. I have been disqusted with Coakley. I wasn't even going to vote till she insulted me as a nurse and a catholic. Now, I'm pissed and Brown has my vote. The unions are about to shoot themselves in the foot.
I’m from Chicago so I can think like a mobster. He’s going to Ma. to not only energize the union thugs but also stress to them that he got them a deal in the health care plan by eliminating the 40% on their health care. KNOWING/NOT CARING if the Senate refuses to pass it. His motive and game plan is to get the union vote on Tuesday – using that as the very reason!!!
People of Massachusettes,
Get out and volunteer on election day at the polls. I will guarantee the SEIU people will be out in droves. Virginia is a right to work state and the SEIU was out in full force the last two elections.
It doesn't matter who votes it matters who counts the votes. Volunteer at the polls to ensure a fair election.
I really like your posting and look forward to your next blog. Thanks great.
What the... you will not belief that. My stupid dog simply farted on my leg!? I mean what is the matter with that!? I nourish this thing and I receive that in return. I yet can not belief that. Anyways, you hold a few important info there in your post. I knew Yahoo will take me to some helpful stuff today :). O . k . must search this animal now! Have a great evening you all!
Your posting really landed right on the head. Good work, I look forward to your next story.
It's interesting to see just how permeant memory has become in our every day lives. It's like everytime I turn my head, I see something with a card slot or USB jack, lol. I guess it makes sense though, considering how much cheaper memory has become as of late...
Gahhhhh... I shouldn't be complaining. I can't get through a single day without using my R4 / R4i!
(Submitted by BB for R4i Nintendo DS.)