Friday, August 31, 2012

'The Fighter' won't back anti-union Sen. Scott Brown

Micky Ward speaking to the Teamsters convention last year.
Our Teamster brother Micky Ward, proud member of Local 25 and subject of the film 'The Fighter," likes Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown.

But he can't endorse him for re-election.

Brown wants to take away collective bargaining rights. Surely a sad state of affairs considering his Senate seat was long held by Edward M. Kennedy, a true champion of labor.

Evan Lips at the Lowell Sun has the story of Ward's brief endorsement and then un-endorsement of Brown:
Mill City ring king Micky Ward found himself backed into a corner Thursday when word trickled out that he was supporting U.S. Senator Scott Brown’s re-election campaign. 
It started with a tweet from Republican National Convention in Florida. Then came word from Brown’s camp that the Wrentham Republican would be making an appearance Friday morning at Ward’s favorite gym, Forever Fitness in Chelmsford. 
Reached on his cell, Ward said he admired Brown’s spirit and respected the way he could “go out there and listen and talk like a guy who is positive and wants to do right by us...” 
Roughly a half-hour after Ward confirmed he was backing Brown, ‘The Fighter’ called back. He said he had given his endorsement a little more thought. 
“I can’t support Scott Brown,” Ward said. “I just can’t do it.”... 
“I found out Scott (Brown) is anti-union and I’m a Teamster guy,” said Ward. “I found out he’s also against gay marriage and I say if you love someone you should have the same rights no matter who you are.”
Atta boy, Micky!