I've done a lot of writing on unions and how essential they are to the progressive movement. There's another strand of unionism, though, and that's a self-interested and self-dealing crew of insiders that are no different from any other entrenched group within the Democratic Party. This is why unions often cause the movement serious problems.
Danny Thompson, leader of the Nevada State AFL-CIO, noted, "When the DNC approved Nevada's new position, we were chosen because we would be a state that would highlight populations and issues not given fair representation in the previous nominating calendar. We are excited that issues Nevada and the West face will be highlighted and want as broad an audience as possible to receive this message. We think it will be refreshing to have FOX News have to broadcast a discussion of the characteristics that distinguish Nevada, including a growing labor movement."D. Taylor, Secretary-Treasurer of the 60,000-member Culinary Union called on those who have focused on Fox to look at the larger political picture. "Nevada was chosen as an early caucus state because of its diversity. Our members are diverse, the State's voters are diverse. There is no purity in newscasts. We can all find flaws with each channel. What we know is that FOX is the most-watched newscast and that it will be a positive thing for the people who watch FOX's newscast to have exposure to the issues and voices that will be participating in the Nevada presidential caucus. When we limit ourselves to only those that we agree with, everybody loses."
Rusty McAllister, president of the Professional Firefighters of Nevada, noted that, "Many of us who will be participating in the presidential caucus process represent constituencies with a wide range of beliefs. We want all of our members to receive information about the candidates and their platforms. It is a step forward for Nevada if we have all networks, including FOX, addressing the issues that make our State unique."
The machinations here aren't clear to me, and I don't get why unions want to reify a news station that constantly engages in union bashing. It is interesting that lots of the union leaders are talking about a diversity of voices. And hey, if Fox News and Air America were cohosting a debate, that wouldn't be a bad compromise.
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