Is Union Boss Richard Trumka Already Lowering Expectations for the Scott Walker Recall Election?
- Posted on May 8, 2012 at 12:20pm by
Erica Ritz
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Is Richard Trumka, the head of the AFL-CIO, already trying to lower expectations about the outcome of the Scott Walker recall election?
With four weeks to go, unions and anti-Walker activists have already poured millions of dollars into the effort of recalling the governor, and now, it seems like they might be preparing for the worst– that it has all been for naught.
Speaking on C-SPAN’s “Newsmakers,“ Trumka began by asserting that everyone will ”come together” after the election, which was in response to being asked why the union-backed candidate is not the frontrunner. That’s a tempered response considering that at the beginning of March he maintained that Walker was presenting people with the “un-American” option of keeping your job, or “[giving] up your rights.”
But Trumka continued, notably, by asserting that the Koch Brothers and Karl Rove will likely have an undue influence in the process.
To many on the right, blaming the Koch brothers has almost become a joke, since the pair have been accused of everything from controlling the Tea Party to, in the words of “Koch Brothers Exposed, “[buying] any congressman, [funding] any lie, [fighting] any law, [busting] any union, [or despoiling] any landscape.” They are seen as a scapegoat for the left when things don’t go its way.
The Washington Post, seemingly, interpreted Trumka’s comments in much the same fashion, especially when it came to whether Wisconsin would be a test for the fall. It describes the interview:
Perhaps in anticipation of a disappointment in Wisconsin, Trumka sought to downplay the importance of the vote as a political test.
Walker “is still very, very unpopular,” Trumka [maintained]. “He is permanently unpopular because he took on and he attacked workers rather than creating jobs.”
[...]
“Whichever one of those wins, everybody’s going to come together,” Trumka said, adding later: “We’ll take out Scott Walker.”
Whether Walker wins or loses, Trumka asserted, the unions have already succeeded in intimidating other state legislators and governors into not following the same route as the embattled governor.
“Would you like to take this fight on?” he asked. “A year after you were in office, would you like to be in the fight of your life, spending $25-30 million to hold onto a seat that you were supposed to have for four years . . . would that embolden you? Not if you‘re sane and rational it wouldn’t.”
While Trumka is still technically saying he thinks Walker will be defeated, it is difficult not to notice that he also seems to be lowering expectations for the actual vote, by assuring his supporters that they have already “won” in spirit on many of the issues.
In the assessment of the Washington Examiner: “Trumka and Big Labor have devoted themselves to defeating Walker. If he wins, they lose, and so such a statement can only be taken as hedging against a loss.”
(H/T: Newsbusters)





















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Comments (109)
compatriotshonor
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 1:25pmTraditional and honest history will tell you the facts, not made into a fairy tale!
Richard Trumka’s afl-cio union, survived the 1870′s as the “International Workers of the World”, a socialist, communist union that was defeated, because the so-called 1% of the time and the american public were fed up with thier class warfare then.
Report Post »The Intrnational workers of the world rose up out of the ashes after it’s first destruction and anhiliation, to once again, these very same socialist re-named the union as what we now have today, the AFL-CIO, being ran once again by another die hard socialist, alike many others that are currently being ran the same.
You know, I think it’s about time for real americans to step foward, stand thier ground once again and out right make; progressivism, marxism, communism, socialism, liberation theology and radical religion, completely outlawed in this country.
Parts of the world right now are reverting back to these same destructive force, that america has fought against, this last twentith century. Why are people asleep at the wheel? I ask the same question, when I finaly woke up to whats around me.
If any of you out there have any honor left in you, then you better work harder, waking others around you. No one person can really do it alone.
pavepaws
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 1:43pmTrumka hasn’t been indicted yet?
Report Post »Sirfoldallot
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 2:45pmDid Richard Trumka play football without a helment ? Just saying, look @ him.
Report Post »YouGottaProblemWithThat
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 4:32pmAs someone who was in a union (LIUNA) I can tell you there is no organization on earth more corrupt and evil to its core. The rank and file worker bees are happy to be working at an inflated wage that would not be possible without union arm twisting and extortion. So normally good people turn a blind eye to the kneecapping and violent undertow that is today’s union. The sooner we get unions out of the picture, the sooner that America can flourish again. Unions = group of thugs running around extroting dues from its membership that will be used to purchase the favors from Washington that are not in the best interest of the rest of society. They are parasites. Other than that … I like em. Just sayin.
Report Post »jhaydeng
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 4:52pmHe’s an insult to union workers! This guy is a backdoor union worker who never broke a sweat! The union brothers know it too!
Report Post »vox_populi
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 6:20pm**To many on the right, blaming the Koch brothers has almost become a joke, since the pair have been accused of everything from controlling the Tea Party to, in the words of “Koch Brothers Exposed, “[buying] any congressman, [funding] any lie, [fighting] any law, [busting] any union, [or despoiling] any landscape.” They are seen as a scapegoat for the left when things don’t go its way.**
Like blaming George Soros for everything, amirite?
Report Post »destrecht
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 7:50pmvox- Like blaming George Soros for everything, amirite?
Report Post »No actually. The reason the Koch brothers have become scapegoats is to take the heat from Soros. Koch Bros make their money the old fashioned way- they sell a product people want. Soros destroys economies.
What they’ve done is nothing compared to Soros.
Inlightofthings
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 9:17pmVOX:
Report Post »I try to avoid personal attacks and will avoid another opportunity. Grow up and change your name Vox Populi as you are in no way the “Voice of the People”. You have no clue and I likely doubt will develop one anytime soon. Go make some signs, banners, urinate on a cop car, break some windows or create whatever mayhem you do to bring attention to your cause. You do not have the intellect or insight to sway opinions here…
Harvey
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 1:25pmHow can Obama denie that Trumkas job in the White House is to do nothing but continually raise money for him from the Unions and take care of any bulleying that needs to be done.
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 5:00pmThey are holding back… the MultiUnion Army… for some reason… of Strategy!
Report Post »oneshiner
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 11:38pmYou Union workers are being used by this man who’s been lining his pockets with the money you pay him to have power over you. Have you no shame? You know it’s underhanded thuggery they really use against the American people. They aren’t helping you, they’re helping themselves to your dues money.
Report Post »Carlinpa
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 1:17pmPublic sector unions are an abomination and an affront to the tax payers. The tax payers have to support their point of view and dole out welfare to their opposition. How does make sense? How is THAT Fair?
Report Post »The unions don’t work or earn their money so what do they care how much it costs.
We need to abolish ALL public sector unions..
simplygilly
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 1:03pmObama-Trumka vs Romney-Christi debates: And the winners are ??
Report Post »IMCHRISTIAN
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 1:03pmGood luck in a win Governor Walker. Chicago has tried the same thing by overtaxing and now look at their win? Taxing rich didn’t work so over tax the middle class. The same will happen in Wisc. if Walker doesn’t defeat the recall. The big time unions have done nothing but hurt the economy by poor workers and to high of pay. To much debt hurts all…… VOTE LEGALLY
GO GOVERNOR WALKER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 1:00pmTrumpka is preparing for the worse case scenario indeed; and probably making sure to have plan two ready – union strikes and riots, disruption in cities and across the state in any union held fields. This will not be the end of the matter.
Expect to see any defeat bring massive lawsuits to the courts concerning Gov Walker.
Remember this is the decisive moment for the war with the unions; they lose here they are discredited and become more vulnerable. By extention the administration of Obama becomes more vulnerable as well.
Report Post »cemerius
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 1:09pmNothing like a good head bashing by a National Guardsman’s trunchean against Trumkas thick skull!!! THIS unionized “SOB” would be glad to oblige Trumka with an attitude adjustment!! This idiot gives the honest Unions a BAD name!!
Report Post »PJ3
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 12:58pmI’m a Tea Party member in Wisconsin. No one runs us except our own members. We want conservatives in office. We are happily supporting the changes Gov. Walker has made and recognise the millions he has helped cities save with his budget. When we elected Walker, we knew in his previous job he balanced the budget there too. What we dont like are these unecessary recalls that cost a lot of money. And we dont appreciate the nasty things the unions did to our capitol. The filth & damage that costs us a lot of money to fix.
Report Post »Publius Duo
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 9:40amWhen Walker wins, they should make those responsible for the recall election pay the tab.
Report Post »waggie
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 12:58pmI got news for this guy: He’s a piece of garbage, a thug of thugs. I live in Wisconsin and we will NOT come together. After seeing what the left did to our capital building and how much money the tax payers had to spend to fix it and clean it, they can kiss my A$$. I made sure I voted today for the good guy, Scott Walker. My taxes actually went down under him as governor. It’s time we STOP these people on the left and STAND unafraid!
Report Post »ROB RAGE
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 2:07pmDitto Waggie..Trumpka would fit right in as a Stalin Thug enforcer..The only jobs he cares about are Union Leaders and Their Political Hack Sycophants..!
Report Post »Dakotagal
Posted on May 9, 2012 at 7:25amGood for you Waggie! Hooray! Don’t live in Wisconsin but am following your fight with high interest! I pray you are able to overcome the corrupt thugs who are determined to take your state and your freedom from you! We are in a fight for our lives but we are going to win. God bless!
Report Post »Glock31
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 12:58pmwalker will win next month and the half breed will lose in november. period
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 2:46pmI will take that… as a Prophecy… from a Prophet of GOD: Absolute & Unchangeable!
Report Post »Detroit paperboy
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 12:51pmWith a name like Trumpka….you gotta be a commie…….
Report Post »barber2
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 3:45pmsort of like taking the capitalist name Trump and combining it with some ” ka-ka ” and you get the Commie version of Trumpka….
Report Post »simplygilly
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 12:50pmObama-Trumpka 2010??
Report Post »Detroit paperboy
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 12:49pmUnions= communism…..and they don’t deny it anymore….
Report Post »JRook
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 12:47pmHow about a thorough investigative report on how the WI economy is doing under Walker’s stewardship? If you really support democracy and voice of the people than inform the electorate rather than being a one sided mouthpiece.
Report Post »Mark0331
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 12:51pmPassed a state budget (2011 Act 32) on time, without tax increases, that leaves Wisconsin in the black for the first time in over a decade:
*Turned a $3 billion deficit into a $300 million surplus
*Instituted the first permanent property tax cap in the state’s history
*Cut bonding (state borrowing) by nearly 20 percent
*Cut more than 1,000 government jobs, including 735 long-term vacancies
*Paid off its $60 million debt owed to Minnesota under the former tax reciprocity agreement between the states (2011 Act 32)
*Paid back the $200 million from Gov. Doyle’s unconstitutional raid of the Patients Compensation Fund (2011 Act 32)
*Enacted sweeping business tax reforms that will save Wisconsin’s job creators over $130 million a year when fully implemented.
Results:
*In the first 6 months of 2011, Wisconsin showed job growth more than twice the national rate
*88% of Wisconsin businesses say the state is on the right track, up from 10% a year ago
*53% of businesses of all sizes predict they will add jobs and increase wages in the next 12 months1
The Budget Repair Bill (2011 Act 10) gave schools and other local governments the tools to control their budgets without sacrificing services:
*MacIver Institute: “Wisconsin Schools Already In Line to Save Hundreds of Millions of Dollars”; maciverinstitute.com; July 13, 2011
…any questions?
Report Post »13th Imam
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 2:03pmThanks Mark
Report Post »But JZ is just a DEMOCRAT. Loyal DEMOCRATS don’t care about balanced budgets, or Budget’s at all. All that being a DEMOCRAT is, is spending twice what other people earn, and sticking the bill on future generations.
Therightsofbilly
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 2:55pmWell played Mark,
Well played.
Report Post »JRook
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 4:06pm@Mark0331 If your facts relative to how WI citizens really felt about the future were correct the recall polls would not be so close. Perhaps you can explain that. Also, you conveniently neglected to mention actual job creation figures or WI dismal performance relative to the majority of states. Many of whom did not wage war on the working class. Oh and you forgot to mention the state union agreed to his economic terms and thus his purpose was to take away collective bargaining. Something that any reasonable person would think is excessive. Most of the other stuff you reference are the classic point out the positive things that happened, even if it wasn’t me… and ignore my promise of 250,000 new jobs. I believe the net job growth was identified as around 6,000. Something that would be associated with the improvement from Bush‘s disaster more than Walker’s policies.
Report Post »JRook
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 4:19pm@Therightsofbilly You would say that about a superficial and selective review of the economic reality. WI economy is stalled at best and the answer is not an assault on real wages and the overall standard of living. To lay the problems with the economy of any state or the federal government on unions is to display a degree of ignorance that is hard to imagine. Real wages in the US have been declining since the 1980′s due to “free” trade agreements that were one sided at best and merely one sided at best. In the 1980′s, Reagan fueled the economy by running up our first $ trillion deficits, mostly on unnecessary military spending. In the 1990′s the economy was fueled by capital gains from the internet bubble. In the 2000 the economy was fueled by leverage of real estate, misguided tax cuts and deficit spending. Now the collective balance sheet is exhausted and the P&L doesn’t look good due to lack of adequate discretionary funds to spend. And the recommendation by many is to do away with the minimum wage and put further downward pressure on the incomes of the middle class. The correct policy would have been including minimum wage laws in agreements with China and other Southeast Asia countries so they could actually buy US goods. Instead we join them in the race to the bottom in terms of worker and eventually middle class incomes. This recession will last a very long time.
Report Post »Blackhawk1
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 4:52pmJRook
Where do you get your misinformation from? The race in Wisconsin isn’t close at all. As a matter of fact walker will probably face the same idiot Tom Barrett, Mayor of Milwaukee he beat last time. Wisconsin unemployment is below the National Obama unemployment rate since Walker, schools saved millions in healthcare costs because they no longer have to insure teachers through the union owned Healthcare insurance fraud they were running. Matter of fact Tom Barrett the Milwaukee Mayor used Walkers Union reforms to balance his city’s budget. Public Sector Unions should be outlawed because taxpayers should not be required to support the lazy thugs who seem to gravitate to those jobs, meaning mostly liberals.
Report Post »Therightsofbilly
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 5:59pmJROOK is just like JZS,
He, or they, just make shlt up.
Report Post »Therightsofbilly
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 6:15pmHey Rook,
“Any reasonable person would think is excessive”?
Really?
Here is what the left’s hero had to say.
“On the question of militant action, Franklin Roosevelt proved similarly stalwart. In a 1937 letter on collective bargaining to Luther Steward, president of the National Federation of Federal Employees, Roosevelt warned that “government employees should realize that the process of collective bargaining, as usually understood, cannot be transplanted into the public service. Roosevelt added that “I want to emphasize my conviction that militant tactics have no place in the functions of any organization of government employees.”
http://www.cfr.org/labor/government-unions-became-so-powerful/p22887
Report Post »Mark0331
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 8:41pm@JROOK……most reasonable people think collective bargaining is bunk and bleeds the taxpayer, forcing goods and services to skyrocket in cost….you sound like a High School teacher attacking a situation with ‘emotion’ and not facts…try again…the taxpayer is done being played and extorted by the unions and that drives your side crazy…no free lunch anymore…what part of broke do you not understand? When he wins the recall effort will you cry and run away like most Dems/liberals do…you did not refute any of what I posted…because you cannot argue facts…you just used emotion and deflection…typical tactic of the defeated.
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 12:47pm“Whichever one of those wins, everybody’s going to come together,” Trumka said, adding later:
“We’ll take out Scott Walker.”
When a union thug says, “We’ll take out Scott Walker”, it’s time for Walker to get some 24 hour protection.
Report Post »blanco5
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 12:54pmI guess he’ll be “Breitbarted!”
Report Post »PJ3
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 1:00pmWalker has already had death threats. Some of the culprits were arrested. I’d assume he has protection.
Report Post »broker0101
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 12:43pmThere is Zero chance that Governor Walker loses this recall election. The idiot Madison Leftys who manifested the Recall are a TINY minority in WI. And when they can’t steal the election, they will immediately begin Plan B (or C) to try another end-around election law. Mark my words.
Report Post »barber2
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 12:42pmLove the way Trumka and Big Labor spews all of this anti-Walker rhetoric which is a Smoke Screen for Big Labor’s real War on the Taxpayer. These labor goons have made me want to declare a Taxpayers’ Revolution against Big Labor, Marxism, and the Redistribution Party/ aka Democrats now in the White House. What a bunch of bullies and thugs they all are – Pandering to their angry base , dividing the country, and undermining social order. Thugs and goons and Democrats.
Report Post »GaryInTheMiddle
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 12:42pmIs it a prerequisite that one must not have a neck to be a union boss, or is the no brain rule the only one that applies?
Report Post »blanco5
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 12:41pmThe republicans have already lowered expectations which makes me wonder why.
Report Post »abbygirl1994
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 12:41pmPersonally I can’t stand Trumka.. he is one of the most evil men in America. corrupt to the core! I am praying for Governor Walker.. that he isn’t recalled and that the people of his state wake up and realize he has helped get his state out of debt! He is a great man, unlike those losers who fled the state and did not do their jobs! Lord help him!
Report Post »PJ3
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 1:04pmGovernor Walker IS a great man. He is courageous. He stood on principle because he knew it would be the right thing to do and would bring results. A lessor man would have bowed to self interests and appeased people for the popularity. This is what a leader is. A person who stands for what is right even when some of the people can’t see the future success. A person who is not swayed by seeking temporary approval and self interests. Other politicans need to learn from him. It’s not about you but about what you can do for your state/nation in self service.
Report Post »gb2
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 12:39pma friend in HFD (Houston Fire Dept.) told me the department has been paying fire fighters to go to WI and protest….HFD is unionized
Report Post »barber2
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 12:47pmHad to fill those buses , had to have demonstrators to foist those ready made signs, and to clog up the halls of the legislature ! Right before the Democrat legislators fled to Illinois ! Ah, our first OCCUPY. Thanks, Big Labor. The taxpayers will NOT forget what you guys starred in Wisconsin. Nor will they forgive.
Report Post »PJ3
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 1:09pmI wonder if they are the ones that were urinating in the streets and smelling up the capitol?
Report Post »poster
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 12:38pmNow that the Pennsylvania Lottery stopped using “Gus the Groundhog” in its commercials, Rich Trumka has lots more time on his hands. Too bad you lost that day job, Rich.
Report Post »AJAYW
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 12:38pmRichard Trumka is a POS
Report Post »MiloArk
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 12:37pmWhy should I comment? You never use it.
Report Post »JRook
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 12:37pm“To many on the right, blaming the Koch brothers has almost become a joke, since the pair have been accused of everything from controlling the Tea Party to, in the words of “Koch Brothers Exposed, “[buying] any congressman, [funding] any lie, [fighting] any law, [busting] any union, [or despoiling] any landscape.” Ok so you got in your line about the Koch brothers. Now how about a real report about what exactly they are and are not funding???
Report Post »barber2
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 12:43pmTwo words: George Soros.
Report Post »Mark0331
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 12:46pmFollowing is a sampling of the major agendas advanced by groups that Soros and OSI support financially. Listed under each category heading are a few OSI donees fitting that description:
Report Post »The Center for Community Change is “dedicated to finding the [progressive] stars of tomorrow and preparing them to lead.”
The Center for Community Change is “dedicated to finding the [progressive] stars of tomorrow and preparing them to lead.”
The Gamaliel Foundation teaches social-change “techniques and methodologies.”
The Ruckus Society promotes “nonviolent direct action against unjust institutions and policies.”
The American Institute for Social Justice aims to “transform poor communities” by agitating for increased government spending on social-welfare programs.
The Institute for America’s Future “regularly convenes and educates progressive leaders, organizations, candidates, opinion makers, and activists.”
People for the American Way, founded by television producer Norman Lear to oppose the allegedly growing influence of the “religious right,” seeks “to cultivate new generations of leaders and activists” who will promote “progressive values.”
Democracy For America operates an academy that has taught more than 10,000 recruits nationwide how to “focus, network, and train grassroots activists in the skills and strategies to take back our country.”
The Midwest Academy trains radical activists in the tactics of direct action, confrontat
Fubared
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 12:47pmDiet Koch, Cherry Koch, and my fav Hechler and Koch. waaaa, the Koch’s are soo rich. Waaaa, I am a lib with zero life skills and a lib arts degree. Whhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.
Report Post »Mark0331
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 12:47pm…..and intimidation. Author Stanley Kurtz has described this academy as a “crypto-socialist organization” that was “arguably the most influential force in community organizing from the seventies through the nineties.”
Report Post »…any questions JROOK?
drbage
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 12:51pmHe doesn’t want to go there because he might find himself in an interview with a real journalist who could use that as a jumping off point to ask:
Report Post »1. What role do George Soros, his minions, his billions, and his various “media” outlets play in elections?
2. What percentage of the AFL-CIO pension and legacy costs are fully funded?
3. Where are the millions of dollars that the AFL-CIO is giving to Democrat candidates coming from?
wboehmer
Posted on May 8, 2012 at 12:34pmTrumka sure likes the phrase, “we took them out!” He sits there & thinks he comes off looking good in an interview like this. WRONG!
Governor Walker is popular with people like me because he’s willing to take on thug garbage like Trumka.
Report Post »