Staff Reports
The Democrats are in full panic mode as they scramble to keep a critical voting bloc in their ranks ahead of the upcoming election. With just a few months to go, they’ve decided to double down on their reliance upon union leaders, the champions of the worker—if by “champions,” one means those who faithfully toe the party line.
In a classic case of “What has Trump done for me lately?” former President Donald Trump is looking to build on his traction with rank-and-file union members, leveraging his hardline protectionist policies. He’s positioning himself as a blue-collar warrior against the out-of-touch elite Democrats, a portrayal that is as appealing as it is accurate. Trump is effectively challenging the Democrats’ authority by highlighting their disconnection from the common worker. This criticism doesn’t seem to bother Kamala Harris and her ilk as they prance on the DNC stage with their union allies.
Trump is pro Working class! Kamala is pro Illegals taking working class jobs!
MAGA 2024 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸Democrats lean on labor leaders to beat back union shift to Trump https://t.co/ofm6nzB6zy via @dcexaminer
— Thor Trump Avenger (@KingThorMAGA) August 22, 2024
The left’s strategy was apparent at the Democratic National Convention, where Shawn Fain, the United Auto Workers president, led the chants labeling Trump a “scab” and a “lapdog for billionaires.” Fain, in his effort to elevate Harris, declared her a hard-fighting advocate for the working class—an assertion fit to make any sane worker chuckle. Harris’s lackluster record and privileged upbringing hardly lend themselves to the image of a gritty labor advocate, but the left is nothing if not committed to their narrative.
Meanwhile, the Teamsters’ President, Sean O’Brien, learned the hard way that stepping out of line, even for the sake of his members, comes with consequences. After daring to express some openness to the GOP’s populist appeal, he was barred from speaking at the DNC. O’Brien’s jovial quip about his invitation getting lost in the mail was more than just a throwaway line; it underscored the Democrats’ fear of any dissent from their unified narrative. The Teamsters, primarily a group of truckers and drivers, seem to have a much more favorable view of Trump than the elite unions representing teachers or baristas.
Despite almost all non-law enforcement unions rallying behind Harris, there remains a glimmer of hope for Republicans. With issues like illegal immigration, job protection, and the disastrous Biden administration policy shifts, Trump and his supporters believe they can sway union members disenchanted by the left’s elite-driven agenda. It seems that politicians like Senators J.D. Vance and Josh Hawley have recognized the growing populist storm brewing within their party and have taken to union picket lines as a show of solidarity, perhaps realizing that appealing to the worker class is more relevant than ever.
However, Trump won't be able to win over union support. Even marginal inroads might have a profound impact on the election’s outcome. The former president is aware that Fain’s union antics are all just smoke and mirrors. When it comes down to bricks-and-mortar worker issues, he argues that workers will care more about their job security than union leaders’ political games. Unfortunately for the Democrats, the blue-collar worker isn’t as easily fooled as they might hope, and clinging to a façade of unity isn’t likely to win the hearts of those who have watched their livelihoods dwindle.
As the political dust settles, even union leaders are starting to feel the heat of internal struggle within their ranks. Speculation is rising that the Teamsters may not back either candidate this election cycle. This uncertainty among union members hints at a fracture in the Democrats’ seemingly secure grip on this vital voting bloc. The Democrats might want to rethink their strategy—alienating team players like O’Brien while touting a virtually uninspiring Hickory Dickory Dock narrative may lead their union members straight into Trump’s corner.
