Will Target Dems Cave to Threats from Big Labor, Pressure from Party Leaders?
FYI, a version of the release below went out to the following districts: John Adler (NJ-03); Jason Altmire (PA-04); Michael Arcuri (NY-24); John Barrow (GA-12); Tim Bishop (NY-01); John Boccieri (OH-16); Leonard Boswell (IA-03); Dennis Cardoza (CA-18); Chris Carney (PA-10); Gerry Connolly (VA-11); Jim Costa (CA-20); Kathy Dahlkemper (PA-03); Lincoln Davis (TN-04); Steve Driehaus (OH-01); Gabby Giffords (AZ-08); Martin Heinrich (NM-01); Baron Hill (IN-09); Steve Kagen (WI-08); Paul Kanjorski (PA-11); Ann Kirkpatrick (AZ-01); Suzanne Kosmas (FL-24); Betsy Markey (CO-04); Jim Matheson (UT-02); Michael McMcahon (NY-13); Harry Mitchell (AZ-05); Scott Murphy (NY-20); Glenn Nye (VA-02); Bill Owens (NY-23); Tom Perriello (VA-05); Earl Pomeroy (ND-AL); Nick Rahall (WV-03); Loretta Sanchez (CA-47); Mark Schauer (MI-07); Kurt Schrader (OR-05); Zack Space (OH-18); Betty Sutton (OH-13); Harry Teague (NM-02); Dina Titus (NV-03); and Charlie Wilson (OH-06).
Will John Adler Cave to Threats from Big Labor, Pressure from Party Leaders?
Arm-Twisting Begins as Outside Groups Push Lawmakers to Cave
Washington– With less than a week to go until the Obama administration’s self-imposed deadline to attempt to ram their healthcare takeover through Congress, the pressure is on wavering Democrats like John Adler who are unsure how they will vote. Thanks to heavy arm-twisting tactics from their party leaders and special interest groups, Democrats like Adler are between a rock and a hard place. Labor bosses are threatening to withhold big-money donations and fund public attacks against vulnerable Democrats in an effort to secure ‘yes’ votes. After already moving former ‘no’ vote Michael McMahon to a possible ‘yes’ vote, will Adler be the next to cave to union bosses, special interest groups, and the White House?
Labor unions like SEIU have made public demands and threats to convince lawmakers to vote ‘yes.’
“In what seems intended as a shot across the bow of House Dems wavering on health reform, top officials with the labor powerhouse SEIU have bluntly told a Democratic member that they will pull their support for him — and will likely field a challenger against him — if he votes No on the Senate bill.”
“Fishman told McMahon that the union would not support him if he voted No — and suggested the hunt for a primary or third-party challenger would follow.”
“Fishman said SEIU officials were intent on sending a message to other House Dems that they risk losing the union’s support if they don’t vote for the bill — and said the union’s rank and file membership strongly wanted reform to pass.
“’We put an enormous amount of effort into electing Democrats,” Fishman said. “This is the most important issue on everyone’s plate. We’re sending a message to Democrats: If you can’t support this, we can’t support you.’” (Greg Sargent, “SEIU Warns Dems: If You Don’t Back Reform, We Won’t Back You,” The Plum Line, 3/12/2010)
And the Obama White House has already signaled that it will withhold support from House Democrats who won’t play ball:
“The health care debate is unfolding against the backdrop of an already difficult political year for Democrats. The White House has signaled to lawmakers that assistance for midterm elections — for example, presidential visits and fund-raisers — will be prioritized for those who support the bill.” (Jeff Zeleny, “Millions Spent to Sway Democrats on Health Care,” New York Times, 3/14/10)
“John Adler might be feeling pressure from union bosses and Democrat leaders, but that’s nothing compared to the heat he’ll take from voters if he rubber-stamps his party’s reckless healthcare takeover,” said NRCC Communications Director Ken Spain. “As Democrats attempt to ram their unpopular agenda through Congress this week, it’s time for John Adler to take a stand. Will he cave to the political pressure from Washington Democrats and special interests, or will he side with the New Jersey families that will end up paying the price for the Democrats’ government-run healthcare bill?”
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