New York – Leaders of some of New York’s most influential unions say that unless Gov. David A. Paterson’s standing approves, they might rally behind another candidate, a defection which could prove lethal to his hopes of winning the Democratic nomination.
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The discussion reflects a larger anxiety among Democrats that that Governor Paterson’s problems will hurt other Democratic candidates on the ballot in 2010.
The power that labor unions bring in elections stems from the resources that they can bring without any direct cost to the candidates they back: mass mailings, campaign volunteers, phone banks and rallies. Mr. Paterson had a warm relationship with unions as a state senator, but since taking office he has engaged in heated verbal battles with union leaders over budget issues.
Tracy Sefl, a spokeswoman for the Paterson campaign, dismissed the idea that labor leaders would desert the governor next year.
“The governor has enjoyed strong labor support in every election he has been in,” she said, referring to his years as a state senator. “And he looks forward to working with labor in the 2010 campaign.”
Don’t worry the unions will endorse some other socialist