Powerful Union Leader Joins Bernie's Campaign Citing 'Clinton's hesitation on Fast Track'

[sabrina 1]

And the backlash to the passage of fast tracking of the TPA has begun. Did they really think that there would be no consequences for that betrayal of the workers of America?

Labor Leader Joins Bernie Sanders' Campaign, Citing Clinton's 'Silence' On Fast Track



CWA President Larry Cohen

WASHINGTON -- The longtime leader of one of the country’s most powerful labor unions is joining the Democratic presidential campaign of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and he says presumed frontrunner Hillary Clinton made it an easy call.

.........

Cohen, a staunch progressive, said Clinton's handling of the trade issue helped clarify why he wanted to get behind Sanders, whose candidacy is still considered a long shot despite standing-room-only crowds he's been drawing early on the trail. Sanders has been a vocal critic of giving Obama fast-track trade authority.

“Without a candidate like Bernie, we’re going to get a repeat of the same stuff," Cohen said. "Bernie is movement-building, and we need a new movement. We need to get big money out of politics."

Cohen was head of the CWA for ten years. The Union has 700,000 members. He will be volunteering now to work for Bernie's campaign starting next week in Iowa.

His volunteering is not an endorsement by the Union, but how long before the Unions get on board?

"The key is him being the progressive candidate," Cohen said of Sanders. "You build the movement -- you don't just inherit it from labor or any other tent."

Cohen said Clinton's hesitation on fast track "won't be forgotten" anytime soon.

"We're not a rubber stamp for the Democratic Party," Cohen said of organized labor, "and certainly not for corporate Democrats."

Unions and Progressive orgs warned the Democratic Party not to take them for granted anymore. Now they DO have 'somewhere to go'!

The TPP is going to be a huge factor in this campaign. Like Cohen it may well have been the last straw for many working class people.

Bernie Sanders is likely to attract many of those who belong to the over 2,000 Progressive Orgs who opposed it, and every Union in the country.

So they got their secret deal through.

It's going to cause not just a Political Revolution here, but Globally, and it's about time.

[Divernan]

1. "We're not rubber stamp for . . .corporate Democrats."

But Cohen's enlistment no doubt gives another shot in the arm to the Sanders campaign, while also suggesting a rift between Clinton and the progressive base. While at the helm of CWA, Cohen earned a reputation for pressuring Democrats into more progressive positions. He helped lead a coalition of left-leaning groups that was instrumental in bringing about Senate rules reform, paving the way for many of Obama's nominees to be confirmed.

"The key is him being the progressive candidate," Cohen said of Sanders. "You build the movement -- you don't just inherit it from labor or any other tent."

Cohen said Clinton's hesitation on fast track "won't be forgotten" anytime soon.

"We're not a rubber stamp for the Democratic Party," Cohen said of organized labor, "and certainly not for corporate Democrats."

Come on, union members, past and present - especially Treasury & Postal & AFGE unions. Support Bernie. Support America!

[sabrina 1]

7. Now over 2000 Union Members have signed a petition saying they are supporting Bernie

The VT Teachers Union announced unusually early, that they are endorsing Bernie and will now campaign for him, plus that is where their donations will go.

Now Cohen, who is a well known Union Leader, has taken the step to work for Bernie's campaign.

Normally Unions wait before getting behind candidates.

It looks like Union membership is signing up personally, BEFORE formal endorsements, to help Bernie win this race.

It just been weeks since he announced and look at the growing support already.

I think there will be lots of Union endorsements probably earlier than usual.

[Sheepshank]

10. signed a petition = loyalty oaths

I thought those were a no-no?

strange times.

[sabrina 1]

11. What??? Where is the loyalty oath? I don't know what you are talking about. Could you link to that

please?

[Sheepshank]

12. DU'ers being slammed here daily for what is being perceived as "loyalty oaths"

when asking who they will vote for in the General's should their preferred candidate not win the Primaries. I am not going to do your homework for you, you've seen and participated in similar threads.

That I consider signing a petition to be the same as a loyalty oath shouldn't be surprising given the standard already established by Bernie Supporters like yourself.

[sabrina 1]

13. No, it is NOT a loyalty oath. These are ordinary people who are VOLUNTEERING

not swearing an oath to a Party. But expressing their support for a candidate who they believe REPRESENTS them and ALWAYS HAS.

How is that the same as demanding that everyone support the Party chosen candidate? Or else? Where is the 'or else' threat in this petition?

[Sheepshank]

14. So now you determine that loyalty oath is suddenly interpreted

to mean party, vs,. individual?

to the extent that may be your own personal determination I don't care to argue it...but the reality that no such delineation exists.

A loyalty oath isn't determined and isn't nullified because you have decided that it doesn't apply to your pet project.

[sabrina 1]

15. I am referring to the 'threats' I personally have received and the insults, 'you are not a democrat'

etc 'if you do not support the front runner'.

Now show me where such threats exist 'if you do not support Bernie, you are not a Democrat' and 'you are violating rules' etc etc regarding this petition.

Either that or you just making stuff up which is fine, you are entitled to your opinion no matter how wrong it may be.

Btw I will be supporting the Front Runner so those idle threats mean nothing to me.

[BrotherIvan]

2. The more people with the guts to stand up, the more will come

[sabrina 1]

8. It's happening. I suspect that even if some Union Leaders hold out as they always have,

the membership will be signing up independently, as they are, to join Bernie's Political Revolution. They've had enough of being betrayed, they no longer feel that the Dem Party fights for them but rather takes their support for granted.

Every union in the country opposed the TPP, yet they were ignored after fighting so hard to stop it.

Now they must know that the powers Fast Tracking gives to the WH will go to the next President.

That BETTER be someone who joined them in their opposition to this secret deal.

Otherwise Corporations will be controlling trade negotions IF the next POTUS supported this abomination.

[secondwind]

3. K&R

[MerryBlooms]

4. rec & kick

[99Forever]

5. Time to take our party back.

Huge K&R

[sabrina 1]

16. Way past time. I hope it isn't too late, but then again, it is never too late to start all over

again if necessary.

[newfie11]

6. K&R

Feel the Bern!

[Babel_17]

9. There's a price for not leading like a Democrat (nt)

[Bonobo]

17. Bernie wears his comfy shoes ALL the time! nt