Labor vs. Kerry

Not steeped in labor union politics, I don't know what to make of Andrew Stern bitching to David Broder about John Kerry. Stern heads the Service Employees International Union, a vital source of cash and legwork for Democratic candidates. Stern may simply be blowing off steam or it may signify some deeper unrest in Kerry's base that could hamper turnout on Election Day.

Reading between the lines it seems that Stern and his allies view the AFL-CIO as too wedded to the smokestack past and collective bargaining agreements. Stern seems to prefer to simply grab the state and use it to deliver European-style welfare and health care benefits to his members.