Unions Recruit New Allies for Obama in Battleground States Case Study

Unions Recruit New Allies for Obama in Battleground States - Case Study Example Unions Recruit New Allies for Obama in Battleground States This article by Steven Greenhouse is very insightful and it gives a general overview and perspective of the role of the trade unions in the 2012 us presidential campaigns. The article gave an account of the role the labor unions have played in this campaign to ensure that Barrack Obama is re-elected the next president of the United States. It gave the opinion of the union leaders and event organizers whom they were very enthusiastic about how the unions are growing stronger and shaping the politics of the United States. The labor unions are more concentrated on the battle ground states of Ohio and Wisconsin. Teachers mainly from Chicago which is the election center for barrack Obama are very enthusiastic about this. The union members are large in number with a figure of 67, 176 knocking at the doors of residence of Wisconsin. Sandy and Elaine were just part of that 67, 176. The unions are trying to reassert themselves after realizing that they couldn’t influence much during 2010 election that were held in some states that include Ohio. This all effort is more of a strategy to regain relevance in the elections that they influence so much especially in 2008. The unions did play a big role in the election of 2008 and eight, when they campaign for election of Barrack Obama. They have seen that the re-election of the same candidate they campaign for in 2008 is not forthcoming so they have to quickly spring into action. They have for the past two years been actively involved in these campaigns mainly in Ohio and Wisconsin.... These have helped them a great deal because they can now reach out to more people. Given that union members account for only 12% of the population of the United States their constituency have now increased tremendously. Unlike in the past where they reach out to few people per hour they can now reach out to huge number of population in just an hour. They have also good strategy whereby they have been able to bring together members from different groups to join them. The republican side is however of different view and that the unions have lost the control it had in 2008. Sara Fagen, who worked under George W. Bush said that the members no longer fully support the union and no longer swayed by the union decision to support a particular candidate because they feel the have been pressed economically by the union who drew from them to run this campaign. The union according to the republicans is funding the campaigns at the expense of the workers. They claim also that Obama have not stood up to them by not actualizing the â€Å"card check† bill that could have helped them a lot. The union members have however fought for the union members especially by seeking the reversal of the law that deprives the employees of their bargaining rights. They were then to suffer another set back after their effort to oust the governor of Wisconsin proves futile. Scott walker the republican retains the seat as the governor of Wisconsin. The union have though rise with 30 unions joining the course. There are though regular setbacks and frustration on daily basis that often face the union members. They most of the times don’t find response from 2/3 of the homes they contacted so they are left with little to do other than to left notes urging the members of