Obama Has No Plans To Visit Wisconsin

WASHINGTON -- President Obama has no current plans to visit Wisconsin despite pledging as a presidential candidate to “walk on that picket line” should workers be denied bargaining rights.

White House Press Secretary Jay Carney told reporters on Thursday that he was not aware of any plans for a trip to Wisconsin, as the state government there remains paralyzed over an anti-public union measure introduced by Gov. Scott Walker.

Labor protesters have been clamoring for Obama to visit the Badger State.

Carney was reminded that, as a candidate, Obama had promised to not only empathize with, but literally participate in, protests against such anti-union measures.

"[I]f American workers are being denied their right to organize when I'm in the White House, I will put on a comfortable pair of shoes and I will walk on that picket line with you as president of the United States," he told a crowd in Spartanburg, South Carolina, in November 2007.

That quote, which resurfaced on Thursday morning, roughly two weeks into the ongoing saga in Wisconsin, produced a slight grin on Carney’s face. Campaigns are filled with lofty promises to valued constituent groups but rarely does a statement from the trail fit so seamlessly into a post-election crisis or legislative debate.

“I think what we have made pretty clear is that the president thinks, and we think, that, obviously a lot of states in the union are dealing with fiscal issues, big problems in their state budgets… they need to act responsibly, tighten their belts, live within their means just as we in Washington, the executive branch, congress, need to do with our federal situation,” said Carney.

“He made his viewpoints known on the situation in Wisconsin the need for people to come together,” he added later. “He takes very seriously the fiscal situation that the states find themselves in… and understands it because he understands it at the federal level. But he encourages the parties involved to come together and sacrifice together.”

Comments

[Kathryn Talbert]

05:27 AM on 03/10/2011

Obama is not our man, how many time will we need to be remind that we've been hoodwinked? Concentrate on the battle, with an eye on the war and for crise sakes, know where your enemies lie.

Obama was always a corporate shill and nothing more, will we be lied to again or have we finally learned?

[AlindaFaye2000]

09:24 AM on 02/27/2011

He should go to WI.

[nicothebaker]

06:00 PM on 02/26/2011

Hopefully, he will go to Wisconsin. It would make an excellent campaign ad for 2012. Of course he realizes this, or someone has advised him.

[TakeTheCanolis]

03:17 PM on 02/26/2011

No surprise to me. Republicans are full of extremists, while Democrats are full of weak incrementalists. No wonder we are drifting ever rightward toward disaster.

[Christine Holschlag]

02:48 PM on 02/26/2011

President Obama, It was the middle class that voted you into office because we believed you would support us in our struggling economy. You had stated that if anyone tried to take away union collective bargaining rights you would walk that picket line with us. Wisconsin is waiting, Mr. President...your words will not do..not while there are struggling families out there storming the Capitol to fight for their basic union rights. Do not sit idly by while these Republicans singlehandedly dismantle our unions.... If you choose not to intervene at this crucial time, it makes you no better than the right wing nutjobs and the billionaire corporations who wish to "crush the unions" and, ultimately by doing so, the democratic party. This is no little thing and certainly no time to be wishy washy. In Union Solidarity, Chris Holschlag RN, AFSCME 3145 Union President.

[mloughran]

02:34 PM on 02/26/2011

President Obama do something for the people who campaigned for you and voted for you and stood up for you when others insulted you and wished you ill. Ignoring the workers and the middle class in their time of need,... while agreeing to tax breaks for the wealthy will not easily be forgotten or forgiven.

[AthenaAwakened]

12:24 PM on 02/26/2011

If the President can not stand with citizenry in WI in 2011, he need not campaign there in 2012.

[ingaleft]

10:08 AM on 02/26/2011

Carney's comments appeared anti-labor. As far as Obama is concerned, I believe he is losing his window to support the workers of Wisconsin.

President Obama, I call on YOU to fulfill your campaign speech. Come to Wisconsin! Come walk with the people. Are you a leader or a politican?

[Dave Thinkster Paulson]

09:21 PM on 02/25/2011

President Obama is a serious disappointment. If only he were half as good at being the president as he was at campaigning for the office. I do still believe that he's a good man, but he seems to be one who's unable to fight for anything. I should have known from reading his book, The Audacity of Hope, because my reaction was "Where's the audacity?"

The answer is that there is none. We get the President making statements against union busting in Wisconsin, but no action. We get similar lip service for tax cuts for the rich, defense spending, financial regulation, healthcare costs . . . the President's tacit approval of all things conservative is worrisome to say the least. He's sitting idly as the Republicans attempt to dismantle unions. What will he do when they focus their attention back on Social Security?

Dear President Obama,
If you won't listen to liberal wisdom, please heed the words of the father of modern conservatism, Edmund Burke, "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." We need you to stand up and do something, Mr. President.

Thank you

[Janai Black]

04:01 AM on 02/27/2011

well said

[NoboyukiMasaki]

09:12 PM on 02/25/2011

The American People elected Republicans back to power for the 2010 Midterm Elections.

Instead of admitting this was a HUGE MISTAKE...

[SeriousBlack]

09:02 PM on 02/25/2011

I understand why Obama is not doing so, even after the comments he made back campaigning. It's not even a "guts" issue; his reasoning, as I understand it, is that he would actually NEGATIVELY impact the situation for workers by enabling Republicans to scream about out-of-state interests and make it about Obama instead of Walker.

However. Even though his intentions may be honorable, I think he is making a huge miscalculation.

He still doesn't seem to get the fact that no matter WHAT he does; no matter HOW MUCH he tacks to the center; no matter (which is the main point in THIS issue) how much he tries to keep from giving Republicans a bigger target, NONE OF THAT REASONING IS VALID.

Because no matter WHAT he does, the unhinged Republicans and conservatives in this country wouldn't be hammering him any MORE than they ALREADY ARE.

He could announce tomorrow that he is going to privatize social security (eliminating all benefits/payments to all social security recipients IMMEDIATELY) and they would still be calling for his head.

Mr. President - Declare for the middle class and worker's rights. Yes that's against your philosophy; for a long time in this country it's been the tradition. But Republicans have become so radical at this point that attempting to remain an un-partisan president simply doesn't make sense any more.

No more than it would have for Lincoln or FDR to not choose sides.

Find those comfortable shoes and GO TO MADISON.

[Dukette]

08:26 PM on 02/25/2011

Is it true that Federal Workers do not have collective bargaining rights?

[Holly Smoke]

04:01 PM on 02/25/2011

JUst use simple English: Reinstate the Slavery Law in the original constitution base on debt. Sell your kids into slavery so that you can drive a 10mpg SUV and a 5000 sq.ft. home.
May be yelling SHAME! SHAME! on vacation

[bluntobject]

03:51 PM on 02/25/2011

This guy is such an enigma on some things. I wish he would decide if he wants to be a Democrat or a republican.

[SleeplessInAmerica]

04:11 PM on 02/25/2011

He's already decided to be a Centercrat - it's obvious that he thinks he can unite the country, but he may never know how in over his head he is until he loses his primary, and anyone that thinks he isn't going to be challenged from the left is as lost as he is. The other side declared war a long time ago, and this radical polarization of the country won't start to dissipate until Democrats stand up and realize that this fight won't be over until they treat it like the battle it is.

[bluntobject]

04:39 PM on 02/25/2011

I totally believe that is the case too.
 
Thanks for your response. :) fv.

[Gassy]

03:36 PM on 02/25/2011

It is really unfortunate that President Obama does not plan to visit Wisconsin and stand with the Unions.

When he was running for office, he said, and I paraphrase “I will put on my comfortable shoes and match with the Unions.” Mr. President, where are you now?

Do you know how disgusted some of your supporters are with you and your staff? You are just another politician who would do or say anything to get elected. Once you get elected, you do what is only convenient for you. That’s just sickening.

We are sick of being taken for granted by you and your likes. You either side with the Union (membership of who voted immensely for you in 2008) or people like me will not vote for you in 2012. It is that simple.

[Mara Para]

03:50 PM on 02/25/2011

Fav'd and Fan#1. Read your comment to my husband who also voted for Obama. We agree with you. We will not be taken for granted either.