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UAW's only GOP Senate donation last cycle: Arlen Specter

By: Timothy P. Carney
Examiner Columnist
05/06/09 7:32 AM EDT

President Obama wants to make the United Auto Workers union the 55 percent owner of Chrysler. In that light, it's worth looking at the UAW's political activity.

As usual, in the 2008 election cycle the United Auto Workers' PAC gave 99% of its campaign contributions to Democrats. As I mention in my K Street column today, the PAC funded 42 Senate candidates, 41 of them Democrats. The other? Arlen Specter.

From the Center for Responsive Politics' website OpenSecrets.org, here's some data on the UAW's PAC activity in 2008:

* The PAC spent $ 13.1 million, making it the #14 PAC in the country, and placing it ahead of all business PACs except for the National Association of Realtors

* $4.9 million in reported independent expenditures, all of it dedicated to helping elect Barack Obama

* More than $2 million in direct contributions to candidates, with 99% of it going to Democrats

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Reader Comments

All comments on this page are subject to our Terms of Use and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Examiner or its staff. Comment box is limited to 250 words.

No More Mopar

May 6, 2009

We currently own three Chrysler vehicles. Two Dodge trucks and one Chrysler car. We like them but have had major transmission trouble with two of them. If the unions take hold of 55% of Chrysler - I will never buy another product from their company. They are taking the company over with the help of the Obama administration for pay back for all of the advertising they paid for for the Dems. NO MORE MOPAR - It looks like it's Ford from now on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jackell

May 7, 2009

I agree. I currently own two chrysler products. A Dodge truck and a Jeep, both made before 2001, and both much better vehicles than the last two Chevrolets I bought brand new. But if the union gets controlling interest in Chrysler I will NEVER buy another of their vehicles, under any circumstances. Especially considering they will get control of it with taxpayer money that will never be paid back.

Done

May 7, 2009

I will no longer buy a single vehicle that is produced with a unionized workforce. I am sick of their antics and thievery. I will purchase cars and trucks made in southern plants with non-union labor.

Done

May 7, 2009

BillyBaroo

May 7, 2009

Buy Japanese!

E=Mc

May 7, 2009

From the looks of it with the UAW running Chrysler, we won't have to worry about the choice in the market anymore. The will run it into the ground quickly. Since he's never had a real job before, BO will run GM into the ground too (along with US). Our auto market will be dominated by Korea, Japan and Germany!

Sapman

May 7, 2009

Getting rid of my 2005 Grand Caravan soon. Nothing but Hyundai's for me!!

Jam

May 7, 2009

Unions suck... period. And Obama is totally in bed with these thugs and goons. But we knew this, didn't we.

immrlizard

May 7, 2009

I see a lot of union hating here. With CEOs and the upper management getting the payroll that they get, you still think that the wages of the workers are a problem? They are the ones making the decisions to put out yet another overpriced SUV instead of a vehicle that gets better mileage. I won't ever buy a car made by GM, Ford, Chrysler again. Most of them aren't even made here. Most of the trouble I have with them is the quality, or lack there of. I bought a Hyundai made here in the US for thousands less then the US car of similar size and have to say that I have had less trouble with it then all of my GM cars.

Mac

May 7, 2009

This ownership of the company by the people, at the insistence of the government is similar to a social engineering practice referred to as "dictatorship of the proletariat". Hopefully that is not the intent, but I think it bears watching.

John Morris

May 7, 2009

immrlizzard: Do the math. How much does executive compensation add to the cost of a vehicle? The UAW adds thousands to the sticker of each vehicle that rolls off the line. Mac: I think the phrase you are looking for is "The workers have seized the means of production. Viva la Revolution!" It's certainly change... but I don't believe in it.

Jerrry Hansen

May 7, 2009

2 Chrysler Minivans, 2 transmission rebuilds at 80,000 miles. Now I have 2 Toyotas. Put the key in, turn it and they go and go and go. I support the American auto workers, just not the UAW. Now I have been forced into Chrysler ownership along with all other American "TAXPAYERS". Boy, are we screwed again!!!

No more!

May 7, 2009

I have a Jeep and a Dodge truck. With the inmates running the asylum, I am done. Go Ford!!

jmf_stl

May 7, 2009

All the unions helped elect this abomination. I will no longer buy any union made products. The unions wanted change give it to them. From now on look for the union label and pass on it.

same name

May 7, 2009

I've never bought a GM. Never will. Mom and dad bought chevy chevettes in the early 80's. Any car company that produces such a POS should be ashamed of itself. I've had good luck with my Chryslers, but then again I buy 'em all used. I'll buy 'em used as long as they're available. I'll never buy one new. When the union wages and legacy costs add 45% to the cost? Nah. It's Japanese cars for me new from here on out. Why should I pay your wages? When your wages are roughly 1.5 times what the other guys' wages are? I've seen the lazy m'fers who work at the Detroit, Lansing and Flint plants. Not going to pay for them anymore!

Barry

May 7, 2009

The Unions last shot at survival is with Obama. Obama and the Democracts were bought by UAW in 2007 and 2008. Free Enterprise is being killed dead right now. It is very sad and it will not work.

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UAW's only GOP Senate donation last cycle: Arlen Specter

By: Timothy P. Carney
Examiner Columnist
05/06/09 7:32 AM EDT