Julian E. Zelizer: Are Democrats, Unions Really in Sync?
[Julian E. Zelizer is a professor of history and public affairs at Princeton University. He is the author of "Jimmy Carter," published by Times Books, and editor of a book assessing former President George W. Bush's administration, published by Princeton University Press.]
Princeton, New Jersey (CNN) -- The success of Gov. Scott Walker and his fellow Wisconsin Republicans at stripping most collective bargaining rights from public unions has triggered a fierce political backlash.
Organized labor and its supporters have mobilized. They are prepared to fight the outcome in Wisconsin and, more broadly, to campaign across the nation against other state and national officials who seek to extend this assault on unions.
Commentators have noted that Republicans have unintentionally stimulated the kind of political energy within union ranks that has been lacking for years. They have also revealed that there is more public support for collective bargaining than many thought existed. Unions, many of whom have been disenchanted with President Obama's policies, are now more aware of the stakes of the 2012 election....
Still, there is a big question looming about what the Democrats will do. While the position of Republicans is predictably anti-union, the reality is that for many decades the Democratic Party has maintained only a lukewarm relationship, at best, with organized labor.
The party leaders have embraced many of the arguments of their conservative opponents, characterizing organized labor as just another special interest group. The focus of Democratic officials on suburban middle class voters has caused them to drift away from some of the bread-and-butter issues that once animated their party....
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Princeton, New Jersey (CNN) -- The success of Gov. Scott Walker and his fellow Wisconsin Republicans at stripping most collective bargaining rights from public unions has triggered a fierce political backlash.
Organized labor and its supporters have mobilized. They are prepared to fight the outcome in Wisconsin and, more broadly, to campaign across the nation against other state and national officials who seek to extend this assault on unions.
Commentators have noted that Republicans have unintentionally stimulated the kind of political energy within union ranks that has been lacking for years. They have also revealed that there is more public support for collective bargaining than many thought existed. Unions, many of whom have been disenchanted with President Obama's policies, are now more aware of the stakes of the 2012 election....
Still, there is a big question looming about what the Democrats will do. While the position of Republicans is predictably anti-union, the reality is that for many decades the Democratic Party has maintained only a lukewarm relationship, at best, with organized labor.
The party leaders have embraced many of the arguments of their conservative opponents, characterizing organized labor as just another special interest group. The focus of Democratic officials on suburban middle class voters has caused them to drift away from some of the bread-and-butter issues that once animated their party....