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Poll trolling: union members divided on Bush, Kerry

Date Posted: November 12 2004

The polling numbers that emerged from the Nov. 2 general election hold some good news - and some sobering news - for people who wonder if American union political clout is diminishing:

  • It's clear that political activism is alive and well among union members. According to exit poll data commissioned by the AFL-CIO, union households comprised 24 percent of all voters this year, and in absolute numbers, more unionists voted than ever before, pollster Geoff Garin said. That sounds good - but the number is two percentage points below the 26 percent figure that labor achieved in both 2002 and 2000. That's due in good part to the fact that the number of union members in the country is slowly but steadily shrinking.
  • Union households backed Kerry by a 5.8-million vote margin, or 65-33 percent, according to the union-backed poll conducted by Peter Hart Associates. A CNN exit poll of 13,531 respondents showed a lesser 60-39 Kerry lead. It's worth reiterating the obvious flip side of those numbers: at least one third of all union members in the U.S. voted for George W. Bush, despite massive union endorsements and information campaigns.
  • The AFL-CIO said union members tripled their mobilization efforts over 2000. Nearly 50,000 union volunteers were active in four states alone: Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. More than 32 million leaflets were distributed. The AFL-CIO spent $45 million on the campaign.
  • In Michigan, amazingly, Democrats gained five seats in the Michigan House, more than anyone expected. The new House has 58 Republicans and 52 Democrats. More than 6,500 union volunteers in Michigan participated in 75 walks, knocking on more than 100,000 doors from June to Election Day. Twenty three affiliates provided 125 release staff from all over the country to work on phone banks, walks and at worksites.
  • Among the new state reps will be former Plumbers, Pipe Fitters and Service Trades Local 174 Business Manager Doug Bennett, who won his race for State Representative in the 92nd District (Muskegon area).
  • Democrats gained four seats on the Oakland County Board of Commissioners; they have 10 of 25 seats. They gained three seats on the Macomb County Board of Commissioners to take a 17-9 advantage over Republicans.
  • Democrat Eric Smith, endorsed by the building trades, was elected Macomb County's new prosecutor.