June 19, 2014
By AFLCIO President Richard Trumka
Washington, DC – After a day of instant analysis and breathless conclusions, even a small step back reveals a very clear message about Eric Cantor’s loss: he, and the Republican Party he represents, are hopelessly out of touch with the basic aspirations of regular people.
As a Republican leader, Eric Cantor enabled corporate money in the pursuit of one idea, one message, one strategy, and one tactic. And they were all the same: obstruction.
As an elected representative, that’s why his Republican constituents voted him out of office. When you work hard, struggle to make ends meet, and feel ignored by your representative, obstructionism is worse than pointless. It is offensive.
This primary election sent a very strong message about listening and leadership. All politicians would be wise to heed it.
