I just got back from hearing Sen. Arlen Specter address the Employee Free Choice rally at the Westin in Pittsburgh, co-hosted by Democracy for America and several labor groups (SEIU, PA AFL-CIO and the Allegheny County Labor Council).
The PA State Democratic Committee Meeting was this weekend at the Westin, and Specter was there in his first official capacity with the party. Guessing that he felt the pressure, because we got word last night that Specter had decided to attend the rally.
Post speech, there are definitely mixed reactions from folks. Most of the state party members I talked with seem hopeful that Specter will come around to support Democratic issues. Union workers in the crowd seemed unsatisfied with what he said, as was I.
More below the fold.
Specter mentioned first contract in his laundry list of things he supports, but other than that all he really said was that he understands that he has to come to labor to get elected in PA. The high point came when someone in the crowd yelled "If you want my vote, I want yours."
He briefly mentioned that he's working with high-level labor folks and others in Congress to find a negotiation "that will satisfy you" but spent the bulk of his time on stage touting his support of the stimulus and how the stimulus equals jobs.
He ended by saying he is confident that the crowd will be happy with his vote on Employee Free Choice. Personally, I'm a little frustrated at his filibustering, but I wasn't really expecting much from him this morning.
Specter did say that he feels the pressure and the heat--and that's obvious, or he wouldn't have come.
Video below, courtesy of Eric Thut (etinkc).
Part 1:
Part 2:
You can read our live tweets at http://twitter.com/... and http://twitter.com/...
There were many reporters in suits with notebooks and large video cameras on tripods. We had a flip video camera and our cell phones. I think they might still be getting their cars out of the parking lot while this story is online here now. Go new media!