Public-employees union comes to Walz's (Dem-Mn) defense

http://www.postbulletin.com/newsmanager/templates/localnews_story.asp?a=296854&z=16

Politics
Public-employees union comes to Walz's defense
6/7/2007 11:17:25 AM

By Edward Felker

The Post-Bulletin, Rochester MN

WASHINGTON -- The AFSCME public employees labor union took to cable television this week to defend freshman Rep. Tim Walz, a Democrat from Mankato, against Republican advertisements critical of his votes in the House.

The AFSCME ads are to run for two weeks and are part of a targeted campaign by the union in support of nine Democratic freshmen, who have backed an increase in the minimum wage, increased veterans benefits and tougher ethics rules. A spokesman for the union, formally known as the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, did not have spending figures.

Walz's spokeswoman, Meredith Salsbery, declined comment. The AFSCME spokesman, Jeffrey King, said the campaign was a response by the union to negative ads placed by the National Republican Congressional Committee in late May, though he stressed it is not a campaign ad.

The NRCC spots sought to portray Walz and others as having more allegiance to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., than their home districts, and contended that they voted for a de facto tax increase by adopting a budget that envisions the expiration of some of the President Bush's tax cuts.

The AFSCME ads, which can be seen on YouTube, lauds Walz and others for their early votes since taking office in January. "It's hard to change Washington," the announcer says, "but Tim Walz is off to a good start."

FULL story at link.