March 19, 2009 01:56 AM UTC

Colorado ground zero for EFCA fight

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• by: Steve Balboni

( – promoted by Colorado Pols)

From today’s Wall Street Journal,

The battle over a bill that would ease union organizing is zeroing in on lawmakers in three states — Pennsylvania, Arkansas and Colorado.

Business and labor are pressuring three key senators who are up for re-election in 2010, sparing little expense as they ratchet up television and radio ads, and recruit well-connected lobbyists.

“This is truly one of those defining votes,” said Terry Madonna, a professor of political science at Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pa. The senators, he said, “run the risk of incurring the wrath of the business community and labor in ways that are not likely to be forgiven.”…

Another target is newly appointed Sen. Michael Bennet of Colorado, who has no track record on the bill but who faces an election in 2010. Andy Stern, president of the Service Employees International Union, visited Sen. Bennet the day the bill was introduced last week to discuss its importance. The SEIU has said a “no” vote on the bill would affect its support for the Democrat in 2010.

Meanwhile, the Center for Union Facts, a business-backed group, has been running TV ads in Colorado arguing the bill would hurt job creation, and a state business group met with Sen. Bennet…

In Colorado, Sen. Bennet noted that the bill was introduced just last week. “I will work with all interested parties to make the best decision for Colorado,” he said.

I don’t think the decision is all that tough for Bennet. Business is going to spend big bucks to beat him no matter how he votes on this issue, they need to turn a Democratic seat Republican. Labor on the other hand has options. With 59 (counting Franken) Democratic Senators they can, and will, walk away from Democratic candidates who vote against EFCA. Bennet has no natural constituency group, he can’t have get re-elected without labors ground troops and money. It really is that simple.

It’s not just walking away from Bennet either, if he votes against EFCA he will undoubtedly face a primary. Labor has a new found focus on accountability from elected officials. With large Democratic majorities and a Democratic president they feel (rightly or wrongly) that now is the time to fund primary challengers against Democrats who fail to vote for critical progressive legislation. It’s the “better Democrats” portion of the “More Democrats then better Democrats” vision.

If you think they’re bluffing ask Al Wynn.