SEIU Carpet Bombs Disloyal Dems

In 2008, the SEIU's Lord of Labor Andy Stern declared that the Service Employees International Union, the purple behemoth of collectivist unions, would be playing hardball, setting aside $10 million to "unelect" politicians that don't kowtow to the SEIU's wishes by kissing the progressively purple rings.

We would like to make sure people appreciate that we take them at their word and when they don't live up to their word there should be consequences

Well Stern & the Gang appear to be making good on their threats by beginning a carpet bombing campaign to knock out Democrats who might think independently and try to buck the SEIU's iron fist.

SEIU Launches Third Party in North Carolina

In a shot across the bow of Dems, the labor powerhouse SEIU is starting a new third party in North Carolina that hopes to field its own slate of candidates, part of an effort to make the Democratic Party more reliable on issues important to labor, I’m told.

SEIU officials setting up the new party, called North Carolina First, are currently on the ground collecting signatures to qualify as a state party, SEIU officials tell me, adding that there are around 100 canvassers on the ground right now. The goal: To have the party up and running so candidates can run in this fall’s elections.

The Charlotte Observer's Campaign Tracker blogs:

Spokesman Greg Rideout said they have about 10,000 of the 80,000 or so required signatures. He described the effort as an alternative for disgruntled progressives.

Rideout, a former aide in the N.C. Justice Department, said the movement isn't aimed at any particular person or party. But if the effort does manage to get on the ballot, expect candidates in U.S. House races in Districts 7, 8 and 11. They're the homes of the three Democratic members of Congress who voted against their party's health care bill.

In New York:

U.S. Rep. Michael Arcuri, D-Utica, could have a new congressional challenger as the result of his decision to vote against the health care bill.

The state Working Families Party and 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East union announced Friday they will be withdrawing support of Arcuri for the November election and actively seeking a progressive candidate to challenge him in a primary or as a third-party candidate.

Ultimately, the SEIU's campaign of retribution could prove fortuitous for the GOP in some of the mid-term races.  However, it's unlikely that the SEIU is truly parting company with the Democrats, since the purple behemoth owns most of the party anyway.

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“I bring reason to your ears, and, in language as plain as ABC, hold up truth to your eyes.” Thomas Paine, December 23, 1776

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