The Bridge

AFL-CIOLegislativeScorecardfor2007Available,ShowsWorkingFamilyIssuesareAmerica'sIssues

OnlineAnalysisLetsVotersJudgeMembersofCongressforThemselveshttp://www.aflcio.org/issues/legislativealert/votes/index.cfm

(Washington)--ThenewAFL-CIOcongressionalscorecardshowsthatsupportforworkingfamiliesisbecominganevenmoremainstreampositioninWashington,withthereportedlymoderatefreshmanclassvotingforworkingfamilyissues94percentofthetime.Thenewlyupdatedscorecard--whichallowsuserstotracktherecordsofmembersofCongressonlineasfarbackas1996--isavailableonlineathttp://www.aflcio.org/issues/legislativealert/votes/index.cfm

“Thisanalysisbearsoutwhatwehavealwaysknown-thatissueslikearealminimumwageandaffordableprescriptiondrugsarewhatmatterstoAmericans,”AFL-CIOPresidentJohnSweeneysaid.“Workingpeopleknowwehavebeenonthewrongtrackforthelasteightyearsandinthelastelection,theychosepeopletheyhopedwouldsetthingsright.”

Thescorecardrankselectedofficialsbasedonatallyof19specificvotesintheU.S.Senateand24intheHouseofRepresentativesin2007.Votesincludedsupportforworkers’freedomtoformunions,allowingthegovernmenttonegotiatewithdrugcompaniestobringdownthepriceofprescriptionsforMedicarerecipientsandfullyfundingaprogramtohelplow-incomechildrengethealthcare.

“W”indicatesa“wrong”votethatwouldhurtworkingfamilies;“R”indicatesa“right”vote.

AquicklookshowsthatSenatorJohnMcCainhadazeroscoreforvotingforworkingfamilyissues,whilebothSenatorsHillaryClintonandBarrackObamaeachhadaonehundredpercentrecordin2007.

TheVotingRecordalsoshowseachmember’slifetimerecordofsupportforworkingfamilies,andletsuserssearchonlineforeitherindividualmembersofCongressortheircongressionaldelegation’svotes.

--AFL-CIO;courtesyofFrankLeidermann,ActingEditor

AmericansUnitedforChangeBlastsSen.MitchMcConnellforBackingDeMint-Bush-McCainSocialSecurityPrivatizationScheme

America’sSeniors,Survivors,andtheDisabledResoundinglyRejectedtheSameDisastrousBush-McCainProposalin2005–aRiskyInvestmentSchemethatWouldSlashGuaranteedBenefitsandExplodeNationalDebt

WashingtonD.C.–AmericansUnitedforChange,thegroupbestknowforleadingthesuccessfulfighttodefeatPresidentBush’smisguidedefforttoprivatizeSocialSecurityin2005,sharplyrebukedSen.MitchMcConnellforvotingforanamendmenttotheFY2009BudgetputforwardbyU.S.Sen.JimDeMint(R-SC)thatwouldhavefunneledsurplusSocialSecurityfundsintoriskyprivateaccountsratherthankeepingitintheSocialSecuritytrustfund. TheamendmentfailedThursdaynightbya41-57margin.

        “Thethirdtimewasn’tacharm,itseems,”saidJeremyFunk,spokesmanforAmericansUnitedforChange. “SenatorDeMinttriedandfailedagainforathirdyearinarowtoleadhiscolleaguesdownthesamewell-wornandtorturedpathtowardsdismantlingSocialSecurityasweknowit–andtherewasSenatorMcConnellfollowingrightbehindhimlikealemming. SenatorDeMint,SenatorMcConnellandtherestoftheanti-SocialSecurityforcesinCongressliketoplaywordgameswiththeirconstituentsontheissueofSocialSecurity–theysaythey’refor“privateaccounts”not“privatization.”ButdivertinganymoneyfromtheSocialSecuritytrustfundtopayforriskyinvestmentaccountsisprivatization–pureandsimple. Andnothingwillchangethefactthatprivatizationwouldn’taddasingledaytothelifeofSocialSecurity–notonesingleday;eventopBushadvisorshaveadmittedasmuch. Privatizationwillweaken,notstrengthen,SocialSecuritybydivertingtrillionsofdollarsthatwouldbeusedtopayguaranteedbenefits.” 

        TheDeMintamendmentcameontheheelsofstatementsfromSenatorJohnMcCainearlierthismonthinsupportofthesameBushprivatizationproposalthatwasoverwhelminglyrejectedbytheAmericanpublicin2005. McCaintoldtheWallStreetJournal:"AspartofSocialSecurityreform,Ibelievethatprivatesavingsaccountsareapartofit--alongthelinesthatPresidentBushproposed."[WallStreetJournal,3/3/08

“It’stroublingtohearSenatorJohnMcCainpromisetobringbackfromthedeadtheverysameBushplantoprivatizeSocialSecuritythatwasresoundinglyrejectedbytheAmericanpublicin2005–ariskyinvestmentschemethatwouldexplodethenationaldebtandslashguaranteedbenefitsformillionsofseniors,survivorsandthedisabled,”addedFunk.“Perhapsmoretroublingtothepeopleof

Kentucky

isknowingthattheirownSenatorMcConnellintendstohelpresuscitatethesameoldprivatizationschemethatreplacesSocialSecuritywithinsecurity. Privatizationisabaddealbecauseitturnsguaranteedbenefitsintoaguaranteedgamble. ItwillhurtoureconomyandputahugenewtaxburdenonAmericansbyrequiringmassivenewborrowinganddebt.  AndnowweknowwhereSenatorMcConnellstands.” 

--AmericansUnitedforChange;courtesyofFrankLeidermann,ActingEditor

MIKECASSAROTRIUMPHSATTHEMETRODEMOCRATICDEBATE

Prospect,KY)MikeCassaro,U.S.Senatecandidate,showedhismettleatWednesdaynight’sMetroDemocraticClubdebate.OvertwohundredpeopleattendedthisdebatebetweenDemocraticsenatehopefuls,MikeCassaroandGregFischer,whichMarkHebertofWHAS-TVmoderated. AlsoinvitedwasBruceLunsford,buthedeclinedtoparticipate. 

MikeCassaroopenedthedebatetalkingabouttherecentannouncementbyFordMotorCompanyconcerninglayoffsattheLouisvilleAssemblyPlant.Henotedthattheselayoffsput800families(eveniftheytakethebuyout)ateconomicperil.  HeblamedtheselayoffsontheinepteconomicandenergypoliciesoftheBushadministrationandMitchMcConnell,whosupportseverythingBushwants.

MikeCassarocontinuallydescribedtherelationshipbetweenfailedpoliciesofBushandMcConnellandtheproblemsfacingthiscountry. Theseproblemshaveincludedaneconomicrecession,recordenergycosts, andthecostlyIraqWar.Dr.CassarohasalsoclaimedthatBush’scroniesontheFoodandDrugAdministrationhavebeenmoreinterestedinhelpingcorporationsprofitthaninprovidingAmericanswithsafeandcheaperprescriptionmedicine.

Dr.Cassaroholdsthehealthinsuranceindustryresponsibleforourhealthcaremess. Asapracticingphysicianofover20years,DrCassarohasseentheinsuranceindustryhavingmorepoweroverourhealthcaresystems,resultinginhighermedicalcosts.

DeborahKent,formerPresidentoftheWomen’sLeagueofVotersandprominentLouisvilleLawyer,wasthrilledwithMikeCassaro’scomments,especiallythoseaboutthehealthcareindustry.MsKentsaid,“Ihavebeenwaitingforyearsforafederalcandidatetospeakoutagainsttheinsuranceindustry.” “IwanttohelpMikeCassarowinthiselection,”MsKentstated.

MikeCassaroclosedthedebatebydescribinghisuniqueattributesasaU.S.Senatecandidate.Asarenownedphysicianandaward-winningeducator,hehasthebestchanceofanycandidateinbecomingamemberoftheSenate’sHealth,Labor,Education,andPensionCommittee. MikeCassaroconcluded:“Fromthatposition(evenasaFreshmanSenator),Icanexertsignificantinfluenceonfederalpoliciesaffectingyourunion,yourpensions,yourhealthcarecostsandyourchildren’sandgrandchildren’seducation.”

SeeMarkHebert’sbloghttp://www.beloblog.com/WHAS_Blogs/PoliticalBlogger/formoredetailsabouttheMetroClubdebate.

--CassaroforU.S.SenatorCampaign;courtesyofFrankLeidermann,ActingEditor

DLCIdeasPrimary:StoppingtheIranianNuclearProgram

ByRalfFuecks,DLCIdeasPrimary:

ShortlyaftertheNationalIntelligenceCouncilreleasedtheirreport,“Iran:NuclearIntentionsandCapabilities”lastDecember,asighofreliefpassedoverEurope:withtheappraisalthatthecountryhadfrozenitsnuclearweaponsprogramattheendof2003,theoptionofaUnitedStatesmilitarystrikeagainstIranduringtheremainderofPresidentBush’sterminofficeseemednolongeranissue.OnecanreadthereportasasortofpreemptivestrikeagainstthehawksintheBushadministration,onewhichwoulddenythemanyformoflegitimizationforarenewedpoliticalandmilitaryadventure-revengefortheirinstrumentalroleintherun-uptotheIraqiwar.

Sofar,sogood.Itwould,however,beamistaketonowsitbackandrelax.Becominganuclearpowerrequiresthreeelements:nuclearmaterial,acarriersystemwithwhichtotransportthedeadlycargo,andthecapabilitytobuildnuclearwarheads.IftheUnitedStatesNationalIntelligenceCouncilcalculatedcorrectly,Iranhasonlyputthelatteronice-andnamelyinreactiontothetriumphantadvanceoftheAmericanarmyinIraq.Asfortheothertwoelements-uraniumenrichmentandtheconstructionofmid-rangemissiles-Iranhascontinuedtopursuethemwithdiligence.Inthemeantime,powerrelationsinthegulfhavedramaticallybeentransformedinfavorofIran.TheUSisuptoitsneckinthequagmireofIraqwhileTehranistakingontheroleasthedominantregionalpower.ChinaboughtitselfintoIranianoilproductionwithmulti-billiondollarinvestmentsanddelivers,asdoesRussia,modernmilitarytechnology.AmutualassistancepacthaslikewiseboundSyriaandthelongarmofTehranreachesfarintoIraq,Lebanon,PalestineandAfghanistan.SkyrocketingoilpricesaddedtherestofwhatwasneededfortheMullahstoconsolidatetheirpower.

PreviouslyleviedsanctionsfromtheUnitedNationshadnotbeentakenwithsustainableimpressingthepowerholdersinTehran.AslongastheymanagetopitChinaandRussiaagainsttheUnitedStatesandconductbusinessvigorouslywithEuropeancountriessuchasGermanyandItaly,theywillbeabletoadvancetheirnuclearprogramwithouthindrance.Then,itisonlyamatteroftimeanddeterminationbeforetheyactuallybuildthebomb.

That,however,wouldhavedramaticconsequencesfarbeyondtheregionitself.AlreadynowitisclearthatEgyptandSaudiArabiawillnotcometotermswiththenuclear-backeddominanceofIran.ThesamegoesforTurkey.There,thefollowingrhetoriccanbeheard:IfIranbecomesarmedwithnuclearweapons,TurkeywilleitherjointheEuropeanUnionorbecomeanuclearpoweritself.Anucleararmsraceinthisunstableandconflict-ladenregionequatestoplayingwithfire.Lastbutnotleast,anatomicbombinthehandsofanextremistregime,whichpropagatestheobliterationoftheJewishstate,wouldproveanincalculableriskforIsrael.

TheAmericanNationalIntelligenceCouncilassumesthatacost-benefitcalculationdrivesnuclearpolicyinTehranratherthananunconditionalreachforthebomb,“indisregardofpolitical,economicandmilitarycosts.”Hewhowishestoavoidthefatalalternative:“tobombortoaccept”,mustthereforefocusonacombinationofoverturesandpressurewhendealingwithIran.Untilnow,bothhaveonlybeenpursuedhalf-heartedly.Inorderforachancetoexistatadiplomaticsolution,theUnitedStatesmustlookbeyondhershadowandofferTehrandirectnegotiationsforapoliticalarrangement.ThisincludesstrictinternationalcontroloftheIraniannuclearprogramaswellasrelinquishingproductionofweapons-gradematerial,amutualrejectionofforceandanofferofsecurity-politicalandenergycooperation.Inthecourseofsuchnegotiations,Iran’sactualmotivesandgoalswillbecomeapparent.ThesupportoftheinternationalcommunityforhardsanctionsagainstIrancanonlybewonalongthispath,inthecasethattheregimeultimatelywithdrawsitselffromadiplomaticagreement.

SenatorHarperAngel'sGoldenAlertBillPassesOutOfHouseCommittee

FRANKFORT-TheSenatebill,sponsoredbySenatorDeniseHarperAngel,D-Louisville,tocreateaKentuckyGoldenAlertforimpairedadultswhoaremissingpassedyesterdayintheHouseSeniors,MilitaryAffairsandPublicSafetyCommittee.

SenateBill125directstheKentuckyDivisionofEmergencyManagementtoissuetheGoldenAlertthroughlocalmediaoutletswheneveranimpairedadult18yearsofageorolderisreportedmissingfromhome,afacilityorthecareofanotherperson.

TheGoldenAlertistobecommunicatedinmuchthesamemannerasinformationisdisseminatedintheAmberAlertsformissingchildren.Byusingthelocalmediatoinformthepublic,itwidensthenetsothepubliccangetinvolvedinfindingmissingadultsandreturningthemtosafety.

"WiththeeverincreasingnumberofindividualssufferingfromAlzheimer'sdisease,ifthisactbringsjustonepersonhomesafely,itiswellworthoureffort,"SenatorHarperAngelsaid.

TheSenateunanimouslypassedtheGoldenAlertbillFeb.13. ThebillwillnowmovetotheHouseofRepresentativesforfurtherconsideration.

SenatorHarperAngel,whorepresentsthe35thDistrict,hasservedintheStateSenatesince2005.

--SenateDemocraticCaucus;courtesyofFrankLeidermann,ActingEditor

KentuckyHousebudgetbill,revenuepackagepassoutofcommittee

   FRANKFORT--TheHouseAppropriationsandRevenueCommitteepassedastateExecutiveBranchbudgetbillthatwouldrelyonan$800millionrevenuepackagetomeetthestate'seducation,healthservicesandotherneedsoverthenexttwoyears.

   "Wecan'tgettothebudget--aswecurrentlyhaveit--unlesswepassthisrevenuemeasure,"saidcommitteechairmanRep.HarryMoberly,D-Richmond,thesponsorofthebudgetbill,HouseBill406.TherevenuepackageispartofHB262,sponsoredbyRep.JimWayne,D-Louisville,whichalsopassed.today.

   Approximately$470millionofthenewrevenuewouldcomefromrestructuringthestate'sGeneralFunddebtandreducingthestateworkforcethroughattrition,accordingMoberly.Thebalance,hesaid,wouldcomefromtaxchanges--includinga25centincreaseinthecigarettetax,anincreaseinthestatetaxonothertobaccoproductsandapplyingthestatesalestaxtoselectserviceslikeairchartersandarmoredcars.

    Severalagencieswouldbenefitfromtheenhancedbudgetproposalincludingstateuniversities,whichfaced12percentbudgetcutsinthenextbienniumunderGov.SteveBeshear'sproposedbudget.Approximately$126millionineachyearofthebienniumwouldgotouniversitiestorestoretheirbaseoperatingbudgets,saidMoberly.

   "Iftheydon'tgettheirbaserestored,they'llbehardpressedtoservethestudentsthey'reservingnow,"hesaid.

   Alsorestoredwouldbe$303millioninuniversityprojectsand$100millioninGeneralFundprojectsvetoedbythelastadministration,while$115millionwouldbeprovidedfortheBucksforBrainsresearchprogram--about$55millionmorethanwasproposedinthegovernor'sbudget.

   PublicschoolswouldalsoseesomereliefunderHB406,whichwouldprovideanadditional$42millioninbaseperpupil"SEEK"fundingforschooloperationsandrestore$33.1millioninfundingformerit-based"KEES"scholarships,amongotherenhancements.Thebillwouldalsoprovidesalaryincreasesforteachersof1percentin2008-2009andthreepercentin2009-2010,givingthemthesametwo-yearincreaseproposedforstateemployees.

   Atotalof$130millioninadditionalfundingissetasideunderHB406forhealthandhumanservicesinKentucky,anareathatalsofacescutsunderthegovernor'sbudgetproposal.Thatmoneywillbeusedtoreversecutsproposedformentalhealth/mentalretardationprograms,communitybasedservicesandhealthdepartments,amongotherneeds.

   "Itwasagonizingtohearthecutsthattheyweregoingtoface,"Moberlysaidofthestate'shealthandhumanservicesagencies."Thesearethingswehavetoprovideforpeoplewhoneedtheseservices."

   Countyinfrastructureneedswerealsoaddressedinthebudgetbill,whichwouldauthorize$50millionintobaccosettlementdollarstofundwaterandsewerprojectsintobaccocountiesand$50millionincoalseverancedollarsforwaterandsewerprojectsincoalcounties.Itwouldalsorestore$1.9millioninbasefundingtolocaljails,whichhavestruggledwithrisingoperationalcostsinrecentyears.

  Andthebillwouldauthorizethestatetofreeze1.4centsoftheautomatic1.5cent-per-gallonincreaseinthegasolinetaxscheduledtotakeeffectinJulyinordertobond$500millioninroadprojectsoverthenexttwoyears.Moberlysaidthebondswouldallowthestatetomoveforwardthisbienniumwithprojectsinthecurrentsix-yearstateroadplan.

   HewarnedthecommitteethatnotpassingHB262wouldcarryseriousconsequences.

   "Ifwedon'tpassthis,IthinktheresultontheCommonwealthwillbedevastating,"hesaid."We'reinasituation,primarilybecauseofadownturnintheeconomy,wherewecanslipbackwardsveryquickly."

--KYLRCPublicInformation;courtesyofFrakLeidermann,ActingEditor

KentuckyHousePensionbillchanged,passedbySenate

  FRANKFORT—AHouseplantoreformthestate'spensionplanwasoverwhelminglyapprovedintheSenateafterchangesweremade.

   HouseBill600,sponsoredbyRep.MikeCherry,D-Princeton,wouldincreasethenumberofyearsnewworkersmustputinbeforeretirementtoreceivefullbenefits,reducethe"benefitfactor"usedtocalculatethepensionthoseretireeswould receiveforeachyearofservice,andrequireanextra1percentofnewemployees'salarytobepaidintocoverhealthinsurancecosts.

   AsubstitutebroughtforthearlierinthedaybySenatePresidentDavidWilliams,R-Burkesville,continuedthosechanges,butmadesignificantalterationsaswell.

   "Thisbillmakesasubstantialefforttomakesurethatournewemployeeswillhaveacontinuedlevelofnetincomeforthosewhodesiretoservethestatefor30years,andthebillrewardsthosewhoworklonger,"Williamssaid.

   UndertheSenateplan,employeeswouldpayin1percentoftheirsalaryforanannuitysavingsplanandpay1percentlesstowardthenormalretirementplan.Afterfiveyears.theemployerwouldbeginmakinga2-to-1match,withtheemployerportionofthesavingsplanincreasingto2.25percentafter10yearsand2.5percentafter20years.Hazardous-dutyworkerswouldbeginreceivingthestatematchafter2years,withincreasesafter10and15years.KentuckyRetirementSystemswouldadministertheplan,butworkerscouldchoosetomaketheirinvestmentmoreaggressiveorconservativethantheKRSgoal.

   WhiletheHouseversionofHB600listedfivelevelsof"benefitfactors"withlonger-termemployeesreceivingmorebenefitsforeachyearworked,theSenateplancontainsonlytwo.

   TheSenateplanalsorequiresnewhirestoworkuntiltheyareslightlyolder,withanew"Ruleof87."Newemployeescouldretirewithfullbenefitsafter30yearsofservice,aslongastheiryearsandtheirageaddedupto87.AsintheHouseplan,fullbenefitswouldalsogotoanyoneage65orolderiftheyhavefiveyearsofservice.Forpartialbenefits,theSenateplanwouldrequireanemployeetobe62orolderwith10yearsofservice,upfromtheHouseplan'sallowanceforthoseage55andup.

  Intheareaofhealthbenefits,theSenatewouldrequireretireestohave15yearsofserviceandbe65yearsold,orbe60yearsoldwith20yearsofservice,toreceivethefullmedicalbenefit,butliketheHouseplantheannualcost-of-livingadjustmentwouldbe1.5percent.Thosewithenoughyearsofservice,butnotoldenough,wouldbeabletobuytheirhealthinsurancethroughthestateatfullcostuntiltheymettheagerequirement.

   TheSenateversionwouldalsoremoveclassifiedschoolboardemployees—busdrivers,janitors,secretaries,andothernon-certifiedstaff—fromtheCountyEmployeesRetirementSystemandmovelocalgovernmentemployeestoanewly-createdLocalGovernmentEmployeesRetirementSystemundertheKRSumbrella.LGERS,withaseparately-electedboardoftrustees,wouldbefocusedontheneedsofcitiesandcountiesandtheiremployees.

   ClassifiedschoolboardemployeeswouldeventuallymovetotheKERSplan,aswouldjudgesandlegislatorselectedorappointedafterJuly1.MorethanhalfofallCERSparticipantsnowareschoolboardemployees,Williamssaid."Thoseindividualsareaveryhigh-costgroup,"hesaidofhealthcarecosts,andtransferringthemtoKERSwouldprovidenearly$135millioninreliefforcitiesandcountiesinthefirsttwoyears.

   Thebillwouldalsocreatetwooversightgroups:aseven-memberpanelofinvestmentexpertstomonitorKRSpracticesaswellasalegislativePublicEmployeeBenefitsOversightCommitteetocontinuouslyreviewthestate'spensionandhealthplansandmakerecommendations.

  Finally,theSenateplanwouldincreasetheamountpaidintothepensionplaneachyear,mandatingthatby2020investmentsbeatleast85percentoftheactuarially-recommendedcontributionsunderthecurrentformula.Becausethecurrentsystemrequireslargercontributions,Williamssaid,thecurrent$26billionshortfallcouldbeerasedmorequicklythanundertheHouseplan.

   "Thispensionissuethreatenstobankruptthestate...ifwedon'tact,"saidSenateMajorityFloorLeaderSanKelly,R-Springfield."Thisisaverycriticalfirststep."

  Forcurrentemployeesandretirees,theSenatemadeachangetotheHouse'sbanonretireesreceivingasecondpension.Undercurrentlaw,publicemployeescanretire,thencomebacktoworkandmakecontributionstoasecondpensionwhilecollectingtheiroriginalpension.WhiletheHouseversionwouldbanthesecondpensionandrequireretireestowaitamonthbeforecomingbacktowork,theSenateversionwouldrequireanentireyear'swait.

   TheSenatemadenochangestothesectionsofthebilldealingwithteachers'retirement.UndertheHouseplan,newteacherswouldalsopaytheextra1percenttowardhealthinsurance,withrevisedbenefitfactors.Althoughnochangeswereproposedforretirementwithfullbenefits,thoseatage55wouldneed10yearsinthesystemtoqualifyforpartialbenefits,upfromthecurrentfiveyears.

  HouseBill600,whichpassedona33-3vote,nowheadsbacktotheHouseforitsconcurrenceintheSenatechanges.

--KYLRCPublicInformation;courtesyofFrankLeidermann,ActingEditor

AFL-CIOLaunches'McCainRevealed'Campaign

TheAFL-CIOtodaylaunchedamajornewcampaigntoexposeSen.JohnMcCain’seconomicrecordandhisplanstocontinuethefailedeconomicagendaofGeorgeW.Bush. The“McCainRevealed”campaignwillreachmorethan13millionvotersin23battlegroundstates,thefederation’spoliticaldirectorKarenAckermansaid. TheeffortisakeycomponentoftheAFL-CIO’s$53.4millionmobilization,itslargestinhistory.

“OureconomyisincrisisafteryearsoffailedBushAdministrationpoliciesthatSen.McCainsupportsandhasadoptedashisown,”Ackermansaid. “Sen.McCain’srecordshowshe’sinlockstepwithPresidentBushoneconomicissues. He’svotedrepeatedlyfortradedealsthatshipourjobsoverseas,he’svotedagainstprotectingovertimepay,he’svotedagainsthealthinsuranceforchildrenandhesupportstheBushSocialSecurityprivatizationplan. McCainisBushNo.3.”

“McCainRevealed”willeducatevotersonhisrecordandcallonSen.McCaintosupportworkingfamilies’concernsthroughavarietyofcommunicationstactics,focusedheavilyonperson-to-personcontact. InthecomingweekstheAFL-CIOwillcommunicatewithunionvotersattheworkplace,doorstep,byphone,onlineandthroughdirectmail.

TheAFL-CIOalsolaunchedawebsite,www.mccainrevealed.org,whichconveystheMcCainrecordtothepublicandthelabormovement’surgingthatSen.McCainturnthepageandstandupforworkingfamilies.

“It’sclearthatJohnMcCainhopestoconducthiscampaignwithouteverhavingtoexplainhiseconomicprioritiestoworkingpeople,”Ackermansaid. “Publicopinionpollsshowtheeconomyisthetopconcernofvoters,yetSen.McCainhassaidverylittleabouthiseconomicpositionsand,asaresult,workingfamiliesknowverylittleaboutwherehestandsonpocketbookconcerns. Thatallchangestoday.”

Ackermandetailedtheelementsofthecampaign:

Thefivetop-tierprioritystatesforthecampaignareOhio,Pennsylvania,Wisconsin,Michigan,andMinnesota; TheAFL-CIOwillreachmorethan13millionunionvotersinbattlegroundstates,includingmorethan6.7millioninthefiveprioritystates; EverywhereJohnMcCaingoesinthecomingmonths,unionactivistswillbetheretoconfronthimoneconomicissuesanddemandthathespeaktoworkingfamilies’concerns. Inthepasttwoweeks,unionmembershaveheldactionsatMcCaineventsinCleveland,Cincinnati,St.LouisandNewHampshire; Inthenexttwoweeks,morethan100,000worksiteleafletsontheMcCainrecordwillbedistributedtounionmembers. BytheendofApril,thatnumberwillbe425,000worksiteleaflets; OnMay17theAFL-CIOwillholdanationalcanvassinwhichunionvolunteerswillknockon400,000unionvoters’doors,inoneday,withinformationonJohnMcCain’seconomicrecord; TheMcCainRevealedcampaignwillemploythemostsophisticatedvotercommunicationstrategiesincludingmicrotargetingtoensureunionhouseholdsarereceivingtheinformationtheywantonJohnMcCain. “TheAFL-CIOintendstoleadthewayinthecomingmonthstoturnourcountryinanewdirection,”Ackermansaid.

--AFL-CIO;courtesyofFrankLeidermann,ActingEditor

ThinkProgress:McCain‘morehawkish’thanBush

Bloombergwritesthat,whilethereisapublicperceptionthatJohnMcCainmaybe“lessbellicose”thanBush,inrealityMcCainisasdetermined“tostaythecourseinIraqandmoreconfrontational”onawiderangeofforeignpolicyissues.“OnRussiaandChina,heisclearlymorehawkishthanBush,”saidKenWeinstein,chiefexecutiveofficeroftheHudsonInstitute.IvoDaalder,aformerNationalSecurityCouncilaideintheClintonadministration,added,“Thisisamanwhohasn’tseenacountryhedoesn’twanttobomborinvade.”

--ThinkProgress;courtesyofFrankLeidermann,ActingEditor

ClintonLeadsinPAby19PointsSaysSurveyUSAPoll

ObamaPlays2ndFiddletoClintoninPennsylvaniaDemocraticPrimary:InaDemocraticPrimaryinPennsylvaniatoday,03/11/08,sixweekstothevote,HillaryClintondefeatsBarackObama55%to36%,accordingtoaSurveyUSApollconductedexclusivelyforWCAU-TVPhiladelphia,KDKA-TVPittsburgh,WHP-TVHarrisburg,andWNEP-TVWilkes-Barre.ObamaandClintonareeffectivelytiedinSoutheastPA,whichincludesPhiladelphia,butClintonleadseverywhereelse.Sheisup2:1inSWPA,whichincludesPittsburgh;isup5:4inSouthCentralPA,whichincludesHarrisburg;isup4:1inWestCentralPA,whichincludesJohnstown;isup5:3inNEPA,whichincludesWilkes-Barre;andisup4:1inNWPA,whichincludesErie.Clintonleads2:1amongwhites;Obamaleads3:1amongblacks.Clintonleadsby5amongmen,by30amongwomen.Sheleadsby12amongthoseunderage50,leadsby26amongthoseage50+.OntheEconomy,whichismostimportanttoDemocraticvotersinPA,Clintonleadsby24points.OnHealthCare,nextmostimportant,Clintonleadsby32points.AmongvotersfocusedonIraq,thetwoareeffectivelytied.

--SurveyUSA;courtesyofFrankLeidermann,ActingEditor