Organized labor is now boasting in the media that unions "won this election" for President-Elect Barack Obama (D).  Yet the powers that be within the movement are maintaining a full court press, seeking to downplay the notion that a revival of the push for EFCA is some political nod to special interests:

Other labor leaders sought to dampen the notion they were owed something by the incoming administration.

"That is not the way Obama works," said Bill Samuel, legislative director of the AFL-CIO, America's biggest labor organization.

Perhaps Mr. Samuel has neglected to read Senator Obama's memoir, "The Audacity of Hope," which, in chronicling his political rise, clarifies at pages 118-119:

The leaders of service workers unions broke ranks & chose to endorse me over [my opponent], support that proved critical to my campaign. It was a risky move on their part; had I lost, they might have paid a price in access, in support, in credibility.

So I owe those unions. When their leaders call, I do my best to call them back right away. I do not consider this corrupting in any way; I do not mind feeling obligated toward home health-care workers or toward teachers. I got into politics to fight for those folks, and I am glad a union is around to remind me of their struggles.

"Access," "Support," "Credibility," "Owe," "Obligated." 

Perhaps this truly is not the "way Obama works," as Mr. Samuel suggests.  We're more inclined to trust the printed words in the President-Elect's autobiography as a more accurate reflection of his philosophy.

And to recognize that obviously Mr. Samuel, and all of those who stand to profit most from EFCA's passage, will still say ANYTHING in furtherance of their political goals -- no matter how ridiculous.