In their effort to win the hearts and minds of Wisconsites in their battle with Gov. Scott Walker, embattled teachers and other public employees have brought out the big guns: the Green Bay Packers.
Public workers, including the state’s leading teachers’ union, evidently reason that having a few members of this year’s Super Bowl-winning squad—the latest is cornerback Charles Woodson—speak in their favor will give them added cred in the land of the Cheesehead.
“Thousands of dedicated Wisconsin public workers provide vital services for Wisconsin citizens,” Woodson said in a statement on the Wisconsin Education Association Council’s web site. “They are the teachers, nurses and child care workers who take care of us and our families. These hard working people are under an unprecedented attack to take away their basic rights to have a voice and collectively bargain at work.
Woodson added his voice to those of a group current and former Packers who came out in support of the workers last week.
Haven’t heard whether Walker has enlisted his own Pack PAC, or Lombardi lobby, or whatever you want to call them, on his side. Whether any of this sways the views of the state’s residents—or perhaps more importantly, GOP lawmakers—remains to be seen.
Photo: Charles Woodson celebrates winning Super Bowl XLV over the Pittsburgh Steelers 31-25 on Feb. 6 in Arlington, Texas. Gary A. Vasquez/AP.