Here's an unusual web ad from the business-backed Workforce Fairness Institute. They were set up to oppose EFCA, or "card check" legislation making it easier to unionize. They've been active in states, and are trying to persuade soft Democrats and independents that EFCA would be harmful in this economy.
The ad praises Obama is glowing terms -- perhaps too glowing. They contrast his "priorities" with those of "Congressional leaders" and "big labor bosses." Obama "has a choice." "Solve the great challenges that face us or cave in to big labor bosses hungry for payback."
"Payback" is the phrase they want to resonate; it's how AFSCME president Gerald McEntee described the legislation in terms of labor's political support for Democrats.
A labor strategist e-mails: "If this is going to be their paid media strategy I will dance a jig. Union bosses, congressional leaders, bureaucrats, these are the exact same words and images they attacked Senate candidates across the country with millions of dollars of ads during the last cycle. Every one of those candidates stood strong on giving workers the free choice to join a union and bargain collectively. Every one of those candidates won."
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