For North Carolina Democratic congressmen Brad Miller, David Price, Bob Etheridge and G.K. Butterfield, the sanctity of secret ballots isn’t necessary for employees trying to avoid union harassment, but it’s important for them in their Democratic Caucus votes.
All four have refused to tell reporters whether they voted for John Dingell or Henry Waxman as chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. All four also are co-sponsors of H.R. 800, the so-called Employee Free Choice Act, which eliminates the secret ballot in union votes.
Price’s spokesman Paul Cox used the sanctity of the secret ballot to explain Price’s refusal to say how he voted: “This internal party election was conducted through secret ballot.”
Butterfield, though he refused to reveal his vote, made it clear to colleagues that he was a supporter of Dingell, so his political courage is evident, though his hypocrisy on secret ballots remains. Kudos to Heath Shuler, Mel Watt and Mike McIntyre, all of whom let it be known which candidate they supported. They also are co-sponsors of H.R.800, so at least they are being consistent.
Democrat Larry Kissell, newly elected after defeating Republican Robin Hayes, refused to say how he voted in the caucus election, but he has no history with H.R. 800. We’ll see soon how consistent he is on the issue of secret ballots when that comes up for a vote.
