Northeast Ohio Democrats believe last year's fight over a Republican-led effort to clamp down on union rights will help Barack Obama reclaim the White House.
agreed in a survey that the Senate Bill 5 fight, which culminated in a decisive victory for union interests in Ohio last year, will galvanize party members and help Obama's re-election fight in this crucial swing state.
Not one Democrat surveyed thought 2011's union fight would hurt Obama or the party in this year's election.
The Senate Bill 5 effort was led by Gov. John Kasich, a Republican rising star who took a major hit after having his signature initiative defeated in November 2011.
Democrats surveyed said Kasich's over-reaching helped organize Democrats, and that much of that organization is ready to fight for Obama.
"The actions of the Governor and certain members of the General Assembly came off as extreme and heavy-handed as was evidenced by the voter reaction," said one influencer surveyed.
One influence said that two groups, teachers and safety force employees, will likely be more engaged and active now after staving off the anti-union initiatives last year.
One influencer suggested that Senate Bill 5 was a precursor to this election's debates over economy inequality.
"Maybe people will realize that they have to vote in order to protect the middle class," the influence said.
What do you think? Do you think the Senate Bill 5 battle will help President Obama?
This is the latest installment of our Red/Bue Ohio series, in which we gather opinion and insight from influential local Democratic and Republican activists, party leaders and elected officials in Northeast Ohio.
Want to participate? If you are an activist, party leader or elected official and would like to take part in regular surveys that last only a few minutes, please e-mail Senior Regional Editor Jean Dubail at jean.dubail@patch.com.
Welfare: Why work when it pays not to. Unions: Collective bargaining destroyed business's as well as spirits. Teachers not caring about education after getting tenure; firefighters are a perfect example of screw the system and autoworkers going on unemployment for union substitues of 90%. Wake up America
For example: I want my kids to go to the best schools- (better education=better pay). In a Union Shop- I have to live where their "negotiated" wages allow me to live. If I earn $60k a year, I can live in a home in a school district that $60k a year allows me to afford. OR bust my butt, make as much as I can and live in a home in a school district that $150,000 can afford. Unions are not in MY best interest and promote stagnation in the economy. Bad for everyone Unions are a stumbling block to the life I want to live, and I'm better off without them.
Absolutely. Couldn't have said it better myself. Republicans screwed themselves over. They took a gamble and they lost--big time.
http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/the-case-against-public-sector-unions/
We're wising up.
Exactly, democrats are bought and paid for by unions.
There is a difference between private and public sector unions. Public sector unions should be eliminated. Private unions served there purpose and accomplished largely accomplished their goals for safety, fair pay, etc... I am fairly sure that OSHA, minimum wage, and media outrage will prevent us from the "same hole." I would prefer to be less of a slave to the tax man and prefer to stand on my own merits, therefore I will never join a union and have someone bargain for me.