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ProSense

(116,464 posts) Fri Feb 14, 2014, 11:30 PM Feb 2014

Obama: Tenn. GOPers More Worried About 'German Shareholders Than American Workers'

Obama: Tenn. GOPers More Worried About 'German Shareholders Than American Workers'

President Barack Obama criticized a number of Tennessee Republican lawmakers for threatening to withhold tax incentives of a potential Volkswagen automotive plant expansion if auto workers there decide to join the United Auto Workers union.

Obama said Friday the lawmakers "are more concerned about German shareholders than American workers." Obama made the remarks at a closed-door meeting of House Democrats in Maryland on Friday according to a Democratic source in the room, Reuters reported and a Democratic aide confirmed to TPM.

Obama's comments come near the end of the period in which the auto workers are voting on whether to join the UAW or not.

Local lawmakers including state Sen. Bo Watson (R) and Gov. Bill Haslam (R) have expressed opposition to the workers joining the UAW.

- more -

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/obama-tennessee-volkswagen-union

Tenn. GOP pulls out the stops to fight unionization
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024498993

7 replies

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Highlight:

Obama: Tenn. GOPers More Worried About 'German Shareholders Than American Workers' (Original Post) ProSense Feb 2014 OP

Excellent point. lpbk2713 Feb 2014 #1

Words of a true corporate sellout. joshcryer Feb 2014 #2

That isn't quite true. Brigid Feb 2014 #3

Of course, ProSense Feb 2014 #4

Well said. ananda Feb 2014 #5

Recommend jsr Feb 2014 #6

k&r... the President is absolutely right. spanone Feb 2014 #7

lpbk2713

(42,759 posts)

1. Excellent point.

Reply to ProSense (Original post)

Sat Feb 15, 2014, 01:07 AM

Feb 2014

joshcryer

(62,276 posts)

2. Words of a true corporate sellout.

Reply to ProSense (Original post)

Sat Feb 15, 2014, 04:28 AM

Feb 2014

Brigid

(17,621 posts)

3. That isn't quite true.

Reply to ProSense (Original post)

Sat Feb 15, 2014, 04:54 AM

Feb 2014

What the GOP is really worried about is that any union activity will spread to other workplaces once it gains a foothold anywhere in the South. The region is absolutely addicted to cheap, powerless labor; it's been that way literally for centuries .

ProSense

(116,464 posts)

4. Of course,

Reply to Brigid (Reply #3)

Sat Feb 15, 2014, 10:34 AM

Feb 2014

"What the GOP is really worried about is that any union activity will spread to other workplaces once it gains a foothold anywhere in the South. The region is absolutely addicted to cheap, powerless labor; it's been that way literally for centuries ."

...that's what they're worried about. The President's statement uses the free market against the RW. They are, in fact, against the American worker, and unionization represents support.

Easy soundbite.