For arm twisting, she's our girl.

Two things strike me about the news of the Empty Suit getting key Big Labor endorsements over the weekend. And both of those things hinge on how weak and mushy America is becoming.

First, let's talk about America's Senator "doing a little arm-twisting" to get a Labor endorsement. Once upon a time the people around the Senator, much less the newsman himself, wouldn't report how many times and how hard the candidate contacted the Union boss. It would go unsaid yet recognized that the candidate wants the endorsement of the swells of dues-paying members, and therefore keeps the lines of communication open in the hopes that it happens. But to have people ratting her out, it just goes to show that the established political machines in this country (unions, political operatives, conservative media) do not want America's Senator to win this election. Ah but she will, despite them.

Second, I remember growing up to beer commercials and Springsteen songs about how tough America's working men were. Born in a small town, loading 15 tons, moving on down the line, all that. So why did these tough guys decide to put on pastel polo shirts and endorse the Empty Suit? It doesn't make sense. I mean, I know why they did it - it's because he promised the largest handouts to the union leaders, obviously. The rank and file tend to vote their independent opinions but all all their dues monies go directly to that chosen candidate. And since the Empty Suit promises free health care, free checkups for kids, free healthcare for illegals, a socialist tax agenda, you get the idea. Plus he's the biggest woman in this race. Why are the tough guy labor unions endorsing the biggest lady in the race?

Here's the story:

Clinton tried twisting labor arms on Labor Day
by Glenn Thrush
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton spent the public part of her Labor Day weekend exhorting crowds in New Hampshire and Iowa with her husband Bill, but privately she was doing a little arm-twisting on a major union leader who was about to endorse John Edwards.
Clinton phoned United Steelworkers of America boss Leo Gerard "repeatedly" over the weekend -- three or four times, trying to convince him to back her instead of the labor-friendly former North Carolina senator, according to sources familiar with the situation
The union, which represents 1.2 million workers and retirees, endorsed Edwards on Labor Day.
The union brings thousands of rank-and-file types to the Edwards cause in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina.

Glenn Thrush reports for Newsday, a Tribune Co. newspaper.