Ohio Miners Speak Out Against “Absolute Lies”

In August Mitt Romney made headlines as scores of Ohio coal miners stood to hear him speak. While coal mine owners are known contributor to GOP candidates the miners themselves have voted Democrat. But times have changed. Today, it’s all about jobs: 1,300 coal jobs were lost in the second quarter of 2012. 

Shortly after the Romney visit multiple news stories (e.g. Huffington Post) were written letting the public know that “the miners were coerced into attending the Romney rally.” Huffington Post

The stories seemed to have enough truth in them that Team Obama made this ad:

This weekend the miners of Century Mine came forward with an open letter to President Obama asking him to stop the ad, claiming it contained absolute lies and misinformation. Wheeling Intelligencer The miners included 500 signatures from the working employees of Century Mine.

As you watch the miner’s press conference listen for these salient points:

• Due to security, the mine was closed for the Romney Rally. Historically, during mine closures, including bad weather, miners are not paid. Miners were told they could make up missed hours if they wished.
• Miners cannot be paid to attend political events.
• No employee was forced to attend the event. Lists of attendees were made due to security concerns.

There can be no doubt that workers in this former Democratic stronghold are now very concerned with the policies of the Obama administration and they’re not sit idly and be used as pawns.

What do you think?