Posted on 06/27/2004 4:12:51 AM PDT by Gothmog
Sen. John F. Kerry [related, bio], torn between the union strength and hometown mayor his campaign desperately needs, might skip a Boston speech tomorrow that could inexorably tilt one of the powerful groups against him.
Kerry aides stressed yesterday the Bay State senator has always heeded union pickets - telegraphing a possible bailout strategy to avoid Boston Police Patrolmen Association and other picketers at the U.S. Conference of Mayors event hosted by Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino.
``He has never crossed picket lines in his time in public life,'' said Kerry spokesman David Wade, adding, however, that no firm decision had been made.
Kerry's staff, though, was scouting alternate locations for a Boston campaign event if he blows off the mayors' conference in deference to the unions.
But Kerry aides fear the local ramifications if he sides with unions against Menino - one of the state's most powerful pols.
Menino made it clear he wants Kerry at the event.
``We expect him to be there,'' said Menino spokesman Seth Gitell. Gitell said Kerry advance staff was making preparations at the Boston Sheraton for tomorrow's long-scheduled speech. He said Kerry should know the nation's mayors represent a powerful audience for him.
``The U.S. Conference of Mayors is the marquee place where the issues important to American cities are discussed,'' Gitell said.
But police union leaders, excited by an initial Associated Press report that said Kerry was skipping the event - a story that was later changed, said they strongly urged Kerry to respect the pickets.
``We hope he doesn't go,'' said BPPA spokesman Jim Berry. He said that, should Kerry arrange an event elsewhere, it'll only be picketed if Menino goes.
``If Menino goes, there'll be a picket line,'' he said.
Kerry, in Boston for a rare day off yesterday, is scheduled to address several hundred mayors tomorrow morning before flying to Baltimore for a campaign rally.
He has studiously tried to avoid the local labor strife, though it threatens to upset his nominating convention in a month. Aides concede he has grown increasingly worried about union picket lines throughout the convention.
The issue represents a difficult political problem for the likely Democratic nominee - who had trouble during primaries attracting dedicated labor support. But just as troubling for Kerry could be tepid support from Menino, who has a legion of loyal politicos on his side.
"Kerry, in Boston for a rare day off yesterday...."
Where did this come from? A ski vacation, some elective surgery, a week out of "respect" for Reagan. Come on. This guy is mostly "off".
I'm betting Kerry will cross the picket lines.
And all those missed votes in the Senate, too. I guess 'agonizing' over how to keep the union goons happy is just taking up all his time. What leadership! I'd certainly want him for Commander in Chief.
Another possibility: There will be some behind the scenes deal and the union will alter it's picket line briefly, long enough for Kerry to go in without technically crossing their picket line.
But of course. The rules change for one of their own.
Stay tuned for the next exciting episode!
Thanks for the update
Kerry then utters the famous line, I fulfilled my obligation to address the meeting without actually crossing the picket line. Vote for me! I am not a scab!
Anyone who "has never crossed picket lines" must be of the opinion that unions are always right. So, John, any strike, any job action, any salary demand, any demands made of management, no matter how absurd, must be honored?
Fortunately for us all, union powers continue to ebb. For one thing, manufacturing jobs (those which remain in the United States, anyway), continue to move from compulsory union states to right-to-work states. Unions have done working people no service. They must bear a large part of the blame for the migration of jobs out of the country.
As for myself, I will cross picket lines whenever it suits me. And when shopping, I "look for the union label" -- and if I see it, I don't buy. I'd rather send my money to Indonesia or South Korea than to union thugs.
what with his experience on "Swift Boats", he could commandeer one of the Duck Boats that roam the streets of Boston ("do you know who I AM"?) and drive it right thru the doors of the Boston Sheraton.
Since he would be in a boat, it would officially count as not crossing the picket "line", since we all know you can't determine any "lines" when you are in a boat...
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