I don't think there's any argument that of the three major candidates, John Edwards has devoted the most attention to the organized labor movement. He's walked picket lines, he's worked on poverty issues, and just about every chance he gets, he talks about the importance of organized labor as the backbone of the middle class, but more importantly, as the foundation of a strong progressive movement. Edwards gets the fundamental reality that there are class differences in this country. Progressives seek to address the inequalities that arise from these class differences. Organized labor does so through bargaining for better wages and working conditions for their members. But perhaps more importantly, they provide a political education for their members and help to expose the inequities in society while giving their members agency to address these issues through solidarity and political action.

Now why is this important for electing Democrats in general and a Democratic president specifically? Because when class differences are muted, Republicans win. And when class differences are brought to the forefront of the debate (with a skilled politician, sorry Dennis), Democrats win. This does not mean that the candidate has to go out waving a red flag and calling for workers to revolt with a general strike. But it does require that the Democratic candidate makes an effort to draw attention to gross inequalities in society that are hurting families in this country so that multinational corporations can pad their bottom line. In short, it's about subjugating corporate interests to the interests of the people, i.e. populism.

So, where have we seen this strategy in action before that has resulted in a victory for a strong progressive in an erstwhile not so progressive area? Well look no further than a certain battleground senate race in 2006.    

The most progressive senator elected from a swing state race in 2006 was Sherrod Brown (sorry Bernie, we always knew you would win in VT). And Sherrod not only won, he gave Mike DeWine the whuppin' of his life (winning 56% - 44%). He arguably ran the most populist/pro-union campaign, drawing attention to inequities in our trade policy, the disgustingly low minimum wage, and the need for green collar jobs in Ohio for unionized workers. Look at the voter survey for the Sherrod Brown race.  

VOTE BY INCOME    
TOTAL                  DeWine     Brown
Under $15,000 (7%)     28%     72%
$15-30,000 (14%)     36%     64%
$30-50,000 (23%)     42%     58%
$50-75,000 (24%)     45%     55%
$75-100,000 (14%)     50%     50%
$100-150,000 (9%)     47%     53%
$150-200,000 (3%)     48%     52%
$200,000 or More (5%)     56%     44%

VOTE BY INCOME    
TOTAL                         DeWine     Brown
Less Than $100,000 (82%)     42%     58%
$100,000 or More (18%)         50%     50%

ANYONE IN HOUSEHOLD IN A UNION?
TOTAL                  DeWine     Brown
Yes, I Am (14%)                         23%     77%
Yes, Someone Else Is (13%)     40%     60%
Yes, Both (2%)     *     *
No, No One Is (72%)                 49%     51%

ANYONE IN HOUSEHOLD IN A UNION?
TOTAL          DeWine     Brown
Yes (28%)     32%     68%
No (72%)     49%     51%

ARE YOU A UNION MEMBER?
TOTAL          DeWine     Brown
Yes (16%)     25%     75%
No (84%)       47%     53%

Two stats were particularly telling: (1) when people vote according to their economic interests, Democrats will always win, (2) the more people that are in a union household, the more Democratic they become.  It's as simple as that. Unions make progressives. And unions vote Democratic when candidates espouse the same message that the union is conveying to its members.

So Edwards's strength in the general election will draw from point (1) above. If Edwards gets the nomination he wins the presidency because he understands that for Democrats to form a governing progressive majority, they need to show people that our party will look out for their interests and will fight for economic justice. And just as importantly he recognizes that we need to show people that the other side has been actively working AGAINST their interests since about 1909.

And, once he is elected president he also understands that for progressives to consolidate their gains and to form a truly multi-generational governing majority, they absolutely must actively promote the drastic expansion of organized labor in this country. A vote for Edwards is a vote for a landslide in 2008 and a new New Deal coalition for the 21st century.