Countdown has obtained a memo entitled "Action Alert - Auto Bailout," and sent Wednesday at 9:12am, to Senate Republicans. The names of the sender(s) and recipient(s) have been redacted in the copy Countdown obtained. The Los Angeles Times reported that it was circulated among Senate Republicans. The brief memo outlines internal political strategy on the bailout, including the view that defeating the bailout represents a "first shot against organized labor." Senate Republicans blocked passage of the bailout late Thursday night, over its insistence on an immediate union pay cut.

 

From: xxxxxxxxxxxx

Sent: Wednesday, December 10, 2008 9:12 AM

Subject: Action Alert -- Auto Bailout

Today at noon, Senators Ensign, Shelby, Coburn and DeMint will hold a press conference in the Senate Radio/TV Gallery.  They would appreciate our support through messaging and attending the press conference, if possible.  The message they want us to deliver is:

1.       This is the democrats first opportunity to payoff organized labor after the election.  This is a precursor to card check and other items.  Republicans should stand firm and take their first shot against organized labor, instead of taking their first blow from it.

2.       This rush to judgment is the same thing that happened with the TARP.  Members did not have an opportunity to read or digest the legislation and therefore could not understand the consequences of it.  We should not rush to pass this because Detroit says the sky is falling.

The sooner you can have press releases and documents like this in the hands of members and the press, the better.  Please contact me if you need additional information.  Again, the hardest thing for the democrats to do is get 60 votes.  If we can hold the Republicans, we can beat this.

 

http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/12/12/1713569.aspx

United Auto Workers

The International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (commonly known as United Auto Workers) is one of the most politically active of all unions. A strong financial supporter of Democrats and labor causes in general, the union sometimes finds itself on the same side of an issue as auto manufacturers—as it did when opposing aggressive increases in fuel economy standards for cars. But on most issues, the UAW opposes big business. It has opposed free trade agreements that it says would imperil American jobs, and bankruptcy reform that would make it more difficult for consumers to get out of debt. UAW supports a prescription drug benefit in Medicare and ergonomics protections in the workplace, among other causes near and dear to labor.

Cycle	Total	Democrats	Republicans	% to Dems	% to Repubs	Individuals	PACs	Soft (Indivs)	Soft (Orgs)
2008	$1,905,515	$1,889,265	$10,250	99%	1%	$31,815	$1,873,700	$0	$0
2006	$2,311,040	$2,283,290	$12,500	99%	1%	$9,690	$2,301,350	$0	$0
2004	$2,275,170	$2,227,430	$30,740	98%	1%	$40,670	$2,234,500	$0	$0
2002	$3,328,944	$3,286,194	$25,750	99%	1%	$11,631	$2,441,500	$0	$875,813
2000	$2,831,735	$2,798,885	$15,300	99%	1%	$26,585	$2,344,650	$0	$460,500
1998	$2,193,570	$2,157,570	$21,000	98%	1%	$13,330	$2,053,860	$0	$126,380
1996	$3,001,438	$2,978,763	$12,675	99%	0%	$38,572	$2,754,818	$0	$208,048
1994	$2,582,752	$2,558,297	$14,455	99%	1%	$8,315	$2,386,690	$0	$187,747
1992	$2,739,104	$2,697,449	$26,155	99%	1%	$7,165	$2,488,974	$0	$242,965
1990	$2,019,282	$2,002,907	$11,375	99%	1%	$1,300	$2,017,982	N/A	N/A
TOTAL	$25,188,550	$24,880,050	$180,200	99%	1%	$189,073	$22,898,024	$0	$2,101,453