Another Demographic Bites The Dust

With the announcement that the Teamsters and SEIU will be leaving the AFL-CIO, the rock-solid union support of the Democrat Party may be busted. I certainly hope so. I'm not suggesting that this indicates a greater support of Republican and conservative candidates than before, but the door is open wider than it has been in... forever? The Seattle Times characterizes the Democratic support by unions thusly: [...] The foot soldiers of many political campaigns are union workers, and for decades they have been the province of the Democratic Party and the envy of Republicans. [...] Democrats are scrambling to explain this defection. [...] "Predictions of a political apocalypse for Democrats are premature," Jordan said. "We may see a newly energized or creative and more competitive environment within organized labor, and that's a good thing not just for labor but for Democrats." [...] And might I add that it's a good thing for Republicans, too? Others are playing CYA, offering differing reasons for the defection. From the National Legal and Policy Center: [Ken] Boehm [Chairman of the National Legal and Policy Center (NLPC)] said, “The biggest problem facing organized labor today is not a disagreement over strategy. It is declining membership. Workers do not believe union bosses represent their interests. Corruption remains a huge problem in unions like the Teamsters, Laborers, SEIU and UNITE-HERE. Ironically, it is the most corrupt unions that are among the dissidents. It would be inaccurate to call them reformers.” [...] Realistically, I would expect that this will result in a higher percentage of unioin votes for Republican candidates than could previously be expected. Not a majority, but like the black vote, and the Hispanic vote, Republicans and conservatives are drawing more and more support from these demographics. (Thanks to Townhall.com for the original links.) Update: Oops! Tagged as News, Current Events, Union, Labor, AFL-CIO, Teamsters, SEIU, Politics, Democrat, Republican, Election