Trumka: Deeds Lost And Dems Will Lose Without Populist Focus

One of the most powerful labor leaders in the country said on Thursday that Democrats were unable to hold the governor's chair in Virginia and may lose seats nationally because of a lack of truly populist principles.

Richard Trumka, president of the AFL-CIO, told a summit in Washington D.C. that without improvements in the job market, elected officials -- including the Democratic majority in Congress -- would likely flounder in 2010.

"I don't think we should feel comfortable with what's going on for several reasons," Trumka said, when asked about the current status of economic growth. "One: even though you may see some green sprouts right now as far as the economy, until jobs are starting to be created it means nothing..."

The union leader saved his toughest political analysis, however, for a candidate that his institution endorsed. Former gubernatorial aspirant Creigh Deeds lost the race for Virginia governor because he declined to promote progressive policy points, said Trumka.

"Creigh Deeds said he would opt-out of the public option, which certainly depressed his base," said Trumka. "He was against giving workers greater collective bargaining rights."

"He really didn't define himself in a way that people wanted to hear. People want to hear about jobs. They want to hear about how you will create jobs."

Pressed if a winning electoral message was a populist one, Trumka replied: "If you look at the last election that's exactly what's happened. The populist message is everything."

Comments

[Raster]

The Dems set one huge ultra-slow motion train wreck in motion when they passed a totally inadequate "stimulous" bill. Progressive economists tried to tell the Obama Team that they were seriously undershooting what was necessary to produce significant job growth and the 10.2% (17% real) un/underemployment rate shows it.That rate may pass a critical mass point next year of 14-15% official (25% real) even before the November election.

The second ultra-slow motion train wreck will be the health "reform" discussed above. These two disasters will be the gifts to the Republicans that keep on giving for several election cycles. Why are the Dems so blind? The "Leadership" trying to satisfy and blend too many fractious factions within the "Big Tent" is my guess.

[AcitizenNJ]

he right but a divided front won't cure the union's lack of work.

[den1953]

I don't see the two Republican Gov newly elected making anything better for there citizens when you have Republican law makers obstructing any bill that could help either state make jobs or taxes better take California or any other Republican controlled state see if there doing ok!

[T Specter]

I see an opportunity for a new Progressive Party to rise up and challenge the Democrats who have co-opted the 1969 Republican Party Platform and marginalized the Right Wing Whack Jobs.

[Trittydi]

He's right. And it can't be said often enough.
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[liberalbug]

I've been hesitant to say (mostly because I still have a lot of hope) that the democrats are prepared to blow an historic opportunity. The republican party is so ridiculously marginalized right now, yet democrats cannot deliver the killing blow. Efforts at compromise make democrats look weak because republicans will never compromise on anything. Democrats need to lead, including our president. Until people truly believe democrats care about them, the middle class, the working people, democrats run a huge risk in 2010, and maybe even 2012.

[Donnat]

I wish he was in Congress.

[Trittydi]

I do too- except he's critically important doing the job that he's doing now.

Maybe some day.
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[peacegurl48]

I am disgusted by the Blue Dogs/ Republican Lite types that got our votes because they pretended to to be part of the Change agenda. Populism is about supporting the rights of average people against the power elite...today that would be the Corporatists that put profit/bus­iness/free enterprise above the welfare of the American people. That includes the so called leaders who are financed by Corporate America. If the Democratic Party does not stay true to progressive ideals then we may need to re-think how we vote and whom we choose to lead us.
It is stunning to hear leaders on the right and left show so little connection or concern for the plight of average Americans.

[Ranta]

Who thought of running a Dino like Deeds? Rahm Emanuel comes to mind.

[LMPE]

Jobs should be the most obvious thing.

[Lee Andrew]

Richard Trumka knows how to whip a crowd up ... remember this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QIGJTHdH50

He and his troops delivered PA to President Obama.

LeeAndrew

[sparky73]

I am tired of obstructionists in our party. Get in line with this administration or get out of the way. We have had enough of people in this party trashing your own. Get over it. Get in Line. Support this Administration or you are going to find the rethugs back in office

[One If By Land]

Yes, the administration needs your support to keep all those people friendly big banks in business, without your support they can't be handing out Billions in bonuses.

[PATina]

hahahahaha­hahahahaha­haha

[rain33]

Speak the truth trumka! he knows whats up! i wished that stuipdass teabaggers wake up and leave their prejudices at the door yet start thinking about their future!

[WorkingClass]

Maybe the Democratic Party should put up a sign that says "stuipdass teabaggers welcome here". That should win them over.

[bwenston42]

I agree. There is no reason write like that.

[Whinger]

That guy's a prophet, or is he speaking presumptuously!

[MrBadger]

I think he's correct. The right would like us to believe that the slips in support in the polls are because this administration is to "liberal". I think that the reality is that they have shown themselves to be no different than the right in many areas and people who voted for some significant change are getting disgusted. Whether that will convince them to support the right is problematic - but it will certainly drain the energy out of the tremendous support that swept Obama and the Democrats into power.

[biglimes]

Both parties know that their stances on several issues are well to the right of the electorate, and frankly, far to the right of about most of the civilized world.

[Dolboeb]

While it is true that they are "far to the right of about most of the civilized world", their actions show that both believe they aren't "right" enough.

[martinfrosa]

The unions had an opportunity to do their part to help fund the Health Care bill - one of the original funding mechanisms was to tax "gold-plated" insurance plans which many unions have.

Their lobbyists made sure this would not happen. Let someone else fund it they said - can you say hypocrites?

[bwenston42]

That is not hipoctitcal what is hipocritcal is that you think that someone else should be taxed to pay for your healthcare. Tax all people. A $.10 tax on soda will do it.

[martinfrosa]

I pay for my own health care, thank you very much. I was merely pointing out that while the unions are for Health Care Reform - it will be a phenominal chance to unionize health care workers - they are unwilling to pay their fair share for reform.

Washington is filled with hypocrites as well. Health care reform for us but not for them.

[sparky73]

you are completely correct Martin but it will on deaf ears to these people

[bwenston42]

Who are these people?

[mmonarch]

Ford, the only auto mfr. in the U.S. that did not take any bail out money is actually making it. They are succeeding. So, there is a news interviewer outside a Ford factory when the story broke that Ford was going to turn a profit. Do you know what the employees that were interviewed said? Great, glad Ford is making money, now they can negotiate a better contract instead of what they thought they were going to have to do...and that is not get their golden deals. Can you believe that mentality? Ford is not out of the woods yet and the people are already trying to figure out ways to sabotage?

[martinfrosa]

And they wonder why UAW membership is down from 1.5 million in 1979 to 431,000 at the end of 20008. Could it be that their excessive demands have been partially reponsible for the fact that US carmakers are on the ropes? You betcha.

[textynn]

We are using tax payer money to buy windmills built in China. How dumb is that? We're building their economy and helping China to lead the world in Green technologies. That should be TREASON,

[bwenston42]

Well we used the klunker program to by foreign cars.

[textynn]

Yep

[ckfan]

BUY

[mmonarch]

The window stickers have to tell what percentage is made in the U.S. and where it is manufactured. Found a Toyota Venza made in KY, with something like 88% U.S. parts. I still bought a Ford.

[ILibertine]

& that Green Tech should be one of the prime focuses of an endeavor to build industry and jobs here. Yes, it is appalling.