Michael Whitney

A key component to our economic recovery will be the Employee Free Choice Act. So today I want to introduce you to one of its most prominent supporters: President-elect Barack Obama. Don't take it from me, though. Please watch this video of Barack Obama talking about the Employee Free Choice Act in his own words, and then sign our petition to show your support.

As President-Elect Barack Obama prepares to settle into his new digs at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, big business groups who broke the bank to fight Obama's priorities during the campaign come crawling back with their hands out.

Dean Baker points to a disgusting editorial by the Washington Post that is incredulous about a $25 billion bailout loan to the Big Three automakers. What got the Post in such a tizzy? Why, because some of the money would help autoworkers who make the whopping sum of $56,000 per year.

Twice this week two major media outlets proved themselves mistaken on the Employee Free Choice Act - let's take a look at CNN and USA Today's misrepresentations of this important bill. In a blog post and brief TV segment this week, CNN published a "fact check" on a line in John McCain's new stump speech in which he claims Barack Obama wants to "take away your right to vote by secret ballot in labor elections." CNN's "fact check" says that McCain's claim is true. Except they're just as wrong as McCain. Let's fact check the fact check.

Over the weekend, John McCain debuted a new stump speech, filling his usual message to the party faithful with plenty of red meat for conservative activists. But in the midst of McCain's new message - mixed in-between the traditional conservative mantras of taxing and spending - is a new line in which McCain talks about unions and takes the side of his CEO contributors on the issue.

Tonight George McGovern will cross yet another line at the behest of business interests - during the Presidential debate, an ad featuring George McGovern will air in which he "condemns his own party" for supporting legislation that makes it easier for workers to join unions. McGovern's ad is part of a $120 million campaign by business groups and wealthy special interests who are trying to confuse & divide pro-worker leaders who support the Employee Free Choice Act. Don't be fooled. Here's why.

Sarah Palin spoke with conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt earlier this week and - surprise, surprise - completely contradicted John McCain's virulent opposition to unions and the Employee Free Choice Act. Palin credited "good union jobs" for why her family had health insurance in otherwise tough times...