Democrats go to convention, a little short on cash

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Hugs From Thugs Replace Union Cash As U.S. Democrats Meet

The North Carolina AFL-CIO won’t be a sponsor of next week’s Democratic National Convention -- though the labor organization will set up a booth to let visitors “hug a union thug.”

It is among many labor groups that have scaled back their once-reliable financial support for the party’s quadrennial gathering, even as they pledge to help elect Democrats.

“We decided we’d rather connect with the grassroots,” said Jim Spillane, a spokesman for the AFL-CIO affiliated International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. “That’s where our strength is.”

Union leaders were upset when the Democrats set their convention in North Carolina, where 2.9 percent of employees are union members, the lowest rate in the nation. Some have also voiced frustration that President Barack Obama hasn’t done enough to push jobs as unemployment remains higher than 8 percent and signed free-trade agreements with South Korea, Colombia, and Panama over their objections.

Four years ago, unions gave more than $8 million for the Democratic convention in Denver, according to financial disclosure reports. The party spent $59 million on the convention, a Federal Election Commission filing showed. The AFL-CIO hosted panels and rallies along with a reception at Coors Field, home of Major League Baseball’s Colorado Rockies.

‘Thug’ Booth

This year, rather than sponsoring convention events, the North Carolina State AFL-CIO said it would have a “Hug-a-Union- Thug” booth at a concert affiliated with the convention. The organization says in a statement it hopes union members offering free hugs will help erase stereotypes.

“The Hug-a-Thug booth is part of a broad, long-term initiative by America’s unions to be a voice for all working people,” according to the statement.

Other unions will host a panel discussion on health-care policy. AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka and James Hoffa, leader of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, will be in Charlotte to meet workers, though haven’t contributed cash and aren’t scheduled to address the convention, according to spokesmen.

“We just made a decision as an organization to scale it back this year,” Galen Munroe, a spokesman for the 1.4 million- member Teamsters said in an interview.

Fundraising for the convention, which starts Sept. 4, is short of its goal with little money donated by unions, said James Andrews, a member of the convention’s steering committee and president of the North Carolina AFL-CIO.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-08-31/hugs-from-thugs-replace-union-cash-as-u-s-democrats-meet.html

Coincides with what most of the tradesmen are telling me this year. The Democrats are getting a bit of a cold shoulder. They are not running to Romney, but they are not going to work the phones for Obama like they did in 2008.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

As long as the Democrats don't put an old guy on stage to yell at an empty chair, they'll have a leg up.

[Penny Lane 8,159]

Tsk. Classless.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Tsk. Classless.

There was no class to be had at the Tampa Bay Times Forum the last few days. Just trying to fit in.

[Pinocchio Liberal 268]

It seems odd they are outta cash after laundering that 800 billion in stimulus.

Edited August 31, 2012 by Pinocchio Liberal

[Darnell 8,478]

hardee har har...

Four years ago, unions gave more than $8 million for the Democratic convention in Denver, according to financial disclosure reports. The party spent $59 million on the convention, a Federal Election Commission filing showed. The AFL-CIO hosted panels and rallies along with a reception at Coors Field, home of Major League Baseball’s Colorado Rockies.

This particular investment went to sh|t.

It's good they not repeat the same mistake.

What would YOU do, with 59 mil USD to spread around in the various PACs this season?

whoa. pardon - ####### is going on in North Carolina, that has ANY impact for the DNC in Florida next week? Sorry, sans money, I not see any connection.

Edited September 1, 2012 by Darnell

[Darnell 8,478]

It seems odd they are outta cash after laundering that 800 billion in stimulus.

sorry, that was spent 3 years ago. Is NEW MONEY, that 'The Man' is seeking, now.

[Pinocchio Liberal 268]

sorry, that was spent 3 years ago. Is NEW MONEY, that 'The Man' is seeking, now.

It takes awhile to launder it through the unions and get back to Barry.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

It takes awhile to launder it through the unions and get back to Barry.

Unions are spending money on local races. We even have the SEIU getting involved in a local supervisorial run-off election and also a county measure to fix the ratio of managers to service employees. Funny stuff, radio spots, phone calls. First time ever. They must be getting desperate to remain relevant when folks are still not working and can no longer pay any dues.

Edited September 1, 2012 by The Patriot

[Pinocchio Liberal 268]

Unions are spending money on local races. We even have the SEIU getting involved in a local supervisorial run-off election and also a county measure to fix the ratio of managers to service employees. Funny stuff, radio spots, phone calls. First time ever. They must be getting desperate to remain relevant when folks are still not working and can no longer pay any dues.

Liberal desperation is so easy to see. The avalanche of gaffs are soon to follow.

[mawilson 2,133]

Why do they need a convention? Everyone knows their candidate.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Why do they need a convention? Everyone knows their candidate.

So many lies left untold.

[Pinocchio Liberal 268]

Why do they need a convention? Everyone knows their candidate.

To stir up more HATE of course. Don't forget the division.

[Darnell 8,478]

Ya know, in ages past, the final planks of the platform were voted on by the delegates.

I'd be flummoxed and slap happy if the DNC had some fun with the planks this year, to the tune of:

1. declare illegal aliens illegal with no federal or state benefits

2. declare businesses employing illegal aliens subject to a 50,000 usd tax per headcount per day

3. mandatory military service, conscription from age 18 to 20, regardless of anything.

4. automatic flight out after graduation, no more OPT or H1-B 'rollovers' for foreign students.

It'd be fun to be watch, a group o folk actually growing a pair o testicles, in unison, and in real time.

[mawilson 2,133]

So many lies left untold.

That's true. It's been a while since we heard the tale of a teacher paying a higher tax rate than a millionaire (false), or how the rich are not paying their fair share (false), or how Paul Ryan wants to destroy Medicare (false).