So, first thoughts as I chug some hot liquid after a brutal late night at the tables. Today, there is an early morning meeting of Working America , a membership organization for non-union workers and retirees (the project has its supporters and detractors but is worth considered discussion—I’ll do that down the road). We’ll see how much of yesterday’s vote and public statements drives the dynamic inside the council meeting. This day is only supposed to be a half day and already some people are heading for the airports.

There’s a lot to say about money and how the numbers are adding up on increasing political dollars, what will be cut and where—which I will do in the days to come. I talked with a labor leader late yesterday about how 16th Street deploys political operatives to the outside world. Apparently, there is a plan to dispatch 20-30 political operatives to key districts to hammer Members of Congress on Social Security.

We all agree that everything has to be done to beat back the Bush raiding. But, this labor leader works out there in a Red State and wonders this: why are we spending a ton of money parachuting people into places they have very little familiarity with? This person points out that these outside political folks cost the labor movement a ton of dough: airfare, hotel rooms, per diem and more…not to mention a salary that, in many places, could end up hiring more than one person for the job.

Now, one could make the argument that 16th Street is sending in seasoned pros. And certainly there are some of those folks. But, my person, who has no axe to grind with either side in this debate,,says that as often, they are stuck with less than competent people who piss off the local labor community. Something to think about: if you’re going to spend dollars, why not do it to develop local, long-term capacity.

Obviously, the big question is: are we looking at compromise or pitched battle in the coming months. If there is to be compromise, part of that will mean stopping the dumb, frankly, childish slights. I could do a whole posting on this but just take this as an example: on the AFL-CIO website, under a pre-report for the meeting, it says, “The council also will examine the mobilization by the United Food and Commercial Workers and the AFL-CIO’s Wal-Mart Task Force to force the retail giant to raise its job standards and respect workers’ rights.” Everyone knows that the Service Employees played the major role last year in kick-starting a more aggressive public drive against Wal-Mart. Why not say that?

More later. But, no more visits to the tables.