It's not just an "independent expenditure…"

…it's a smear. The UNITE HERE Nevada ad, translated via AMERICAblog (my emphasis).

Hillary Clinton does not respect our people. Hillary Clinton supporters went to court to prevent working people to vote this Saturday - that is an embarrassment.

Hillary Clinton supporters want to prevent people from voting in their workplace on Saturday. This is unforgivable. Hillary Clinton is shameless. Hillary Clinton should not allow her friends to attack our people's right to vote this Saturday. This is unforgivable; there's no respect

Sen. Obama is defending our right to vote. Sen. Obama wants our votes. He respects our votes, our community, and our people.

Sen. Obama's campaign slogan is "Si Se Puede" ("Yes We Can").Vote for a president that respects us, and that respects our right to vote. Obama for president, "Si Se Puede" ("Yes We Can").

"Shameless"? "Unforgiveable"? Based on what she "allows" her supporters to do?

Pot, meet kettle.

Look, the Culinary Workers have enough clout with the Nevada Democratic Party to get a special rule, one I've never seen used in any state, any year, to allow workplace caucuses, but only in the workplaces their of members. I agree with the courts, it's a rule the Party has a right to make, but it's hardly surprising, let alone "shameless," that other union, having apparently been snookered by the rules process, are offended that their workers are not given the same advantage as the casino employees.

And about those "friends." Hillary can no more control the actions of the Nevada teachers than Barack can control the content of the UNITE HERE ad. If they're going to hold her personally responsible for the teacher's unsuccessful suit, the can't we similarly hold Obama responsible for going to the airwaves accusing Hillary of a racist attitude toward the Hispanic members of the Culinary workers, and of being shameless and unforgivable?

Of course, there's a substantive difference between the two cases. The lawsuit was a challenge to a process, not a person. No one held Obama out as "shameless" for accepting the advantage his supporters obtain from the rules, they challenged the rule. Certainly no one suggested that the UNITE HERE defense against the suit was a signal that Obama "does not respect" teachers, or non-Hispanic voters, or anyone. No one has proposed that Obama benefiting from UNITE HERE's success in the rules process and the courts is "unforgivable."

It's too late to stop the ad, but Obama should go on record strongly condemning the notion that Hillary Clinton is an unforgivably shameless bigot. If UNITE HERE repeats this performance in other western states, Obama should make comparable buys on Spanish language stations disavowing the accusations.

And that slogan? The one Caesar Chavez made famous in the lettuce fields and vineyards of California? The one The one Obama picked up enroute to Nevada?

Gone.

The rally just ended and guess what's back? "Fired up! Ready to go!" Somewhat annoying but it makes sense since it originated in South Carolina and now it's going to serve as the "onward to South Carolina" rallying cry.

How does shameless pandering reflect respect?

Good question…

…from Big Tent Democrat.

How come Obama criticized union expenditures in the Iowa caucus campaign and refuses to do so regarding UNITE HERE's independent expenditures in Nevada?

Of course, if Obama could stop them, well, it wouldn't really be an independent expenditure, but he was so emphatic about the curse of 527s just a couple weeks ago - when he didn't have any meaningful labor endorsements. So much for this year's version of Way New Politics®.

Let's see,,,

...since he 'lost' New Hampshire, Barack Obama has picked up a national endorsement from UNITE-HERE (including the pivitol Culinary Workers local in Nevada), a statewide endorsement from SEIU Nevada and personal endorsements from Senators John Kerry and Tim Johnson and Rep. George Miller of California.

Stunning setback, huh?

From the House of Labor…

…via Michigan for Edwards.

"Our members are emphatic in their support for Senator Edwards, and anxious to get involved."

Noel Beasly, manager of the Regional Joint Board, announcing the UNITE-HERE Midwest Region endorsement of John Edwards.

It's a big'un…

The Midwest Regional Joint Board represents over 50,000 workers in clothing factories, hotels and restaurants, sports venues, gaming casinos, airports, laundries, warehouses and auto parts facilities, etc. in 11 states including Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin (there are two independent locals in Chicago who are not part of the Midwest Board and have not endorsed anyone). Beasley said the board's support for Edwards was longtime and unanimous.

The Chicago and Midwest Regional Joint Board plans to go to work for the former North Carolina senator immediately -- with volunteers, staff and financial assistance -- and will work in conjunction with other unions including the SEIUs that cover the territory and have endorsed Edwards (Iowa, Ohio, Michigan and Minnesota). Beasley states that they should have 40 to 50 volunteers and staff in Iowa within a week.

Welcome aboard, Brothers & Sisters, and congrats to Senator Edwards.