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July 31

A discussion of the 2008 elections and an introduction to the basics of Capitol Hill lobbying were on the agenda for the second day of the 2007 IBEW Political/Legislative Conference.

Starting off the session was Rep. Heath Shuler (D-NC). Introduced by his cousin and Executive Assistant to International President Edwin D. Hill, Liz Shuler, the freshman congressman recounted how a union stood up for his father when he was injured on the job and how glad he is to now stand up for labor in Congress.

In order to prepare attendees for an afternoon of lobbying on Capitol Hill, Bruce Burton and Sherilyn Wright from the IBEW Political and Legislative Affairs Department gave a class on Lobbying 101, showing how labor activists can most effectively lobby their elected representative.  

The 2008 elections were the focus of the presentations by political analyst Charlie Cook and union pollster Phil Comstock. The 2006 elections were an exceptional tidal wave of change, but the continuing low approval ratings for President Bush and the Republican Party indicate that the 2008 elections could see another strong Democratic showing, Cook said.

Comstock, who is President of the Wilson Center for Public Research, shared with attendees the results of the most recent 2008 election poll of IBEW members. It shows that economic security is one of the top election issues for members. There is also strong enthusiasm for all the leading Democratic presidential candidates, while the G.O.P gets low marks. “Many members are worried about the future and they are looking for a candidate who shows competence and can focus on the big picture issues for working families,” Comstock said.

Virginia Governor Tim Kaine (D) wrapped up the morning session. Kaine, who won in 2005 with the strong support of organized labor, became the first Governor in Virginia history to appoint a labor leader to a cabinet position when he appointed former state AFL-CIO president Daniel LeBlanc as his senior advisor for workforce development.

After lunch, attendees – armed with fact sheets – headed up the street to the Capitol building for an afternoon of face-to-face discussion with their elected representatives on issues of concern to working families and the IBEW.