AFL-CIO chief dismisses regrets in Wisconsin recall

msnbc.com ^ | 6/6/12 | Michael O'Brien

[mdittmar]

With the labor movement reeling from the result of Tuesday's recall election in Wisconsin, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka sought to downplay the significance of Gov. Scott Walker's victory over a union-driven effort to unseat him. 

Trumka, the leader of one of the nation's largest labor groups, dismissed the notion that unions might look back upon their unsuccessful campaign against Walker with regret.

"We didn't decide on this recall. It was the workers in Wisconsin and the voters in Wisconsin who did," he said on a conference call with reporters. "Hell, I don't know if we'd do anything differently."

[ILS21R]

Hell, I don't know if we'd do anything differently.

Insanity.

[Average Al]

His remaining membership will have something to say when they realize how much of their dues went toward this failed effort.

[2banana]

Public unions are about to get their heads handed to them all across America.

They have had their way for so long that they think it should go on forever...

[mdittmar]

Looks like AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka just threw Wisconsin Union Workers under the bus,maybe they’ll recall him;)

[cripplecreek]

AFL-CIO chief dismisses reality.

[scooby321]

Unions spent over 21 Million and all the man power and other unreported expeneses .

Thats not a good day

[hometoroost]

"Hell, I don't know if we'd do anything differently."

Easy to say when you're spending other people's money.

[Paladin2]

The Unions need some recall elections of their own.

[Jonty30]

Right. The voters voted for the recall and then voted for Walker and the recalled GOP in bigger numbers.

Makes sense to me.

[Chode]

Unions delenda est...

[popdonnelly]

I’ve noticed over the years that some people are incapable of learning.

[Snake65]

And we are winning. We’ve seen it in Tunisia, Yemen and other countries where the Arab Spring has taken hold; in Greece and France, where voters rejected the failed, Draconian policies of austerity; and here in the United States, where members of the Occupy movement continue to shine a much-needed light on Wall Street greed and ballooning economic inequality.

Working people are making history every day through their courage and resolve to work together for a better world. For you, it may have begun with Wisconsin, but it should not stop there.

I can't believe someone who purports to lead working American men and women would write something like that.

[I Drive Too Fast]

Unions, Charlie Sheen - both “Winning”, well maybe not.

[cripplecreek]

I love this comment from Michigan's Union conservative group. Its a stark contrast.

"There's nothing more glorious than the blessing that is our God-given freedom to choose those who will lead us, and there's no sight more moving than a lone American walking to that voting booth, casting a ballot in secret, and thereby determining the destiny of this great country" - Ronald Reagan, 11-5-88

On this eve for the Gov. Walker Recall vote, our thoughts are with the people of Wisconsin. We hope that logical heads will prevail over the heated, emotion-filled propaganda that union officials are spreading around the state. Gov. Walker and the Wisconsin legislature took the necessary steps to shore-up the states finances to ensure good-paying union jobs for a long time to come.

Also, in this quote from the Gipper, we love how he used the term 'casting a ballot in secret' which of course is the exact opposite of right-stealing card-check.

Union conservatives

[SERKIT]

Trumka = LOSER!

[mrsmith]

They showed they are willing to try to take down any politician that stands in their way.

Just because they only partially succeeded didn’t matter.

Politicians around the country know it is still costly and dangerous to oppose the unions.
Without fear the unions would disappear. They’ve gotten more fear from fighting this fight than they would have from backing down.