Pro-Obama labor group urges Dems to defy his Arkansas wish

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2010/05/06/pro-obama-labor-group-urges-dems-to-defy-his-arkansas-wish/?fbid=QwOAZlE1EjD

Posted: May 6th, 2010 05:35 PM ET

From CNN Political Producer Shannon Travis


A new ad released by labor group SEIU targets Arkansas Sen. Blanch Lincoln.

Washington (CNN) - It's not often that one of President Obama's major backers expresses support for him, but openly works against a candidate he is backing. But that is what's happening in the Arkansas Democratic Senate primary.

The Service Employees International Union released a new television ad on Thursday, complimenting a radio spot put out on Wednesday, that call for Sen. Blanche Lincoln's defeat. Earlier in the week, the Lincoln campaign released a radio ad featuring Obama.

Lincoln, seeking a third term, is running against Lt. Gov. Bill Halter in the primary.

The SEIU, a strong supporter of the president, is delicately using political strategy to make its case, essentially telling Democrats who like the president that they can still defy his wishes in this primary.

SEIU Spokesperson Lori Lodes told CNN that the 2.2 million-member labor union is, "Making sure that people see both sides … that they can love President Obama … and support Bill Halter."

The dueling ads show that the SEIU and the president are clearly at odds over who should be the next senator for Arkansas.

The new SEIU ads, part of a $1 million buy, characterize Lincoln's positions as jobs-killing and pro-Wall Street. "It was Blanche Lincoln who voted to ship our jobs to Mexico and China, helping corporations and hurting us," a narrator says in the new 30-second television ad. "And Lincoln voted to use our tax dollars to bailout Wall Street banks."

FULL story at link.