AFL-CIO prez refuses to denounce Walker comparisons to Hitler

Post-Tucson, we were supposed to enter a new era of civility. But public-sector union protesters--many of them teachers--are comparing Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker to Hitler.

While on NBC's Meet the Press this morning AFL-CIO president Richard Trumka was asked about the Hitler comparison and was twice given the opportunity to denounce the "tone" and "hyperbole." He refused to do so.

"We should be sitting down trying to create jobs," was Trumka's reply. "In Wisconsin, a vast majority of the people think this governor has overreached. His popularity has gone down." (Note--I'm not so sure about that.) "They're saying to him, sit down and negotiate; don't do what you've been doing. So he's losing." Then Trumka turned to Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour, a Walker supporter who was also a guest on the show and added, "If that's the argument you're going to do this year and next year, it's a loser."

Barbour replied, "In Indiana, this was done six years ago by the governor. It has been very popular. Nobody put (Gov.) Mitch Daniels' picture with a crosshair over his face like they're doing in Wisconsin. You know, if Sarah Palin did that, it would be the world coming to an end."

But earlier in the segment, Rep. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO), was asked about the Hitler comparisons. He responded more sensibly:

Absolutely. It's inappropriate. It should be condemned, not only by people close to the governor but by those of us who are observers. I think that's something that we've got to squash in this country. We've come to a point in this government discussion where, you know, one side says anything goes to get my point across. And I think it would be certainly something that I would condemn.

Watch the entire clip here.

Trumka's appearance on Meet the Press was a topic on Teri O'Brien's BlogTalkRadio show this afternoon. I called in and informed her guests Trumka has been trying to sneak anti-Democratic union card check for the last four years.

With a Republican House, Trumka's card check--a jobs nightmare--has been safely put to sleep.

One thing thing can be said for Trumka with absolute certainty: He's for union members--even if he brings down the rest of the economy on their behalf.

Two years ago the Wall Street Journal reported that the AFL-CIO was $90 million in debt.

Related posts:

Lame duck card check push?
White House official: 'Organized labor just flushed $10 million down the toilet'
AFL-CIO prez wants to sneak EFCA into law
Barbour supporting Walker in budget dispute

Technorati tags: unions labor news organized labor card check afl cio efca mississippi politics Mississippi Haley Barbour wisconsin wisconsin politics scott walker