AFL-CIO Focuses On McCain

The Politico's Jonathan Martin gets wind of the AFL-CIO's plans to spend millions bracketing John McCain.

Comments

Well, this bolsters my theory that the AFL-CIO plans to sit out the remainder of the Democratic nomination battle, or at least not spend much or any money on it. I'm skeptical that the McCain effort will do much good, though.

Posted by Jeff Larson | March 11, 2008 1:20 PM

You mean the organization that would not endorse Hillary or Obama?

Posted by D | March 11, 2008 1:21 PM

FIRST GENTLEMAN in the WHITE HOUSE

With the recent Spitzer blowout, it reminded us of the 1990's. Bill was impeached as President but if history repeats itself, you can't impeach a First Gentleman? So, instead of focusing on the most important issues, the country will be diverted again to the 1990's soap opera. CAN WE REALLY AFFORD ANOTHER SEX SCANDAL IN THE WHITE HOUSE?

Posted by FG | March 11, 2008 1:36 PM

Waste of money on the union's part. The Obama/Clinton smackdown is sucking up all of the oxygen in the room, and will for the next 3 months minimum, and maybe for the next five and a half.

Posted by Adam | March 11, 2008 1:38 PM

There cannot be a mail vote in Florida for a nominating contest: see state statute below
(causcus anyone?)

Florida Election Law on Mail Ballot Elections101.6102 Mail ballot elections; limitations.–

(1)(a) An election may be conducted by mail ballot if:

1. The election is a referendum election at which all or a portion of the qualified electors of one of the following subdivisions of government are the only electors eligible to vote:

a. Counties;

b. Cities;

c. School districts covering no more than one county; or

d. Special districts;

2. The governing body responsible for calling the election and the supervisor of elections responsible for the conduct of the election authorize the use of mail ballots for the election; and

3. The Secretary of State approves a written plan for the conduct of the election, which shall include a written timetable for the conduct of the election, submitted by the supervisor of elections.

(b) In addition, an annexation referendum which includes only qualified electors of one county may also be voted on by mail ballot election.

(2) The following elections may not be conducted by mail ballot:

(a) An election at which any candidate is nominated, elected, retained, or recalled; or

(b) An election held on the same date as another election, other than a mail ballot election, in which the qualified electors of that political subdivision are eligible to cast ballots.

(3) The supervisor of elections shall be responsible for the conduct of any election held under ss. 101.6101-101.6107.

(4) The costs of a mail ballot election shall be borne by the jurisdiction initiating the calling of the election, unless otherwise provided by law.

(5) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the use of a mail ballot election in a municipal annexation referendum requiring separate vote of the registered electors of the annexing municipality and of the area proposed to be annexed. If a mail ballot election is authorized for a municipal annexation referendum, the provisions of ss. 101.6101-101.6107 shall control over any conflicting provisions of s. 171.0413.

Posted by barbara levin | March 11, 2008 1:54 PM

Wow, what big news. Union lackeys opposing a republican.

Posted by JBJB | March 11, 2008 1:55 PM

Re: Florida.

If it were run by the Democratic party as a mail-in election, it would offcially be a caucus, not a state primary, and shouldn't run afoul of that law.

Posted by BP | March 11, 2008 6:53 PM

Obama once criticized John Edwards for benefiting form union advertising.

Will he reject, denounce, and repudiate this effort or has he flip flopped on this issue?

Posted by Jesse | March 11, 2008 8:05 PM