Kevin, after endorsing Republican candidates for president in 2000, 2004 and 2008, the Fraternal Order of Police has refused to endorse Mitt Romney in 2012.
To be clear, the union did not endorse President Obama, and for the first time in 98 years it will not endorse any candidate. However, given the union’s support for Republicans in the last three presidential elections, this has to be seen as a rebuke of Mitt Romney.
Romney’s statements of strong support for several anti-union initiatives, particularly the Republican move in Ohio to eliminate collective-bargaining rights for all public-sector employees, including police and firefighters, surely played an important role in this decision. Now, not only was that measure overturned by Ohio voters last year, but Romney’s support for it has cost him a key endorsement.
When organizations hold Republicans accountable for their anti-union policies, we need to let those organizations know their efforts are appreciated.
Keep fighting,
Chris Bowers
Campaign Director, Daily Kos
