Republican candidates were asked whether unions were good for America

Back in October, Republican candidates were asked by Chris Matthews in one of the debates if they thought unions were good for America. You might be surpised that all of them declared they thought unions were beneficial. But as you can probably guess, the candidates were quick to point out their opposition to legislation that would strengthen unions. So unions are good for America, but let's not support legislation that might make them more effective? Strange logic there, fellas.

Here's a quick summary of their responses interspersed with a little commentary:

Ron Paul: supports right of workers to join a union, opposes Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA). Remember, too, that this guy is a Libertarian who would likely abolish the NLRB if he could and thereby allow employers to freely fire workers with little repercussion. Oh wait, we basically already have that, don't we?

Mike Huckabee: Had the most enthusiastic response and thought unions were poised for a big comeback. If I had to vote Republican, I guess it would be for Huckabee. Though, he didn't say where he stood on EFCA or open shops.

John McCain: Said unions improved working conditions but then went on to disparage them as "monopolies" and expressed his support for open union shops, and his opposition to EFCA.

Mitt Romney: The consummate waffler backed up Senator McCain's sentiments and then went on with a profound statement that there were some good unions and not so good unions. Our frequent contributor here, Chuck Lezette, will be happy to know that Romney singled out the Carpenters as a good union. Does he get your vote, Chuck?

Fred Thompson: Pointed out that he supported the right of workers to band together and that was a member of the Screen Actor's Guild. Of course, Ronald Reagan was the President of SAG and look what he went ahead and did to PATCO. He echoed McCain's support for open shops and did not support use of dues money for political lobbying.

Rudy Guiliani: His second wife's second cousin was in a union (ok, I exaggerate, it was his grandmother). He said he didn't know if his family would have gotten out of poverty without the union. He would have gotten more points from me if he got the name of his Grandmother's union right. He is also against closed shops.

Duncan Hunter: Sung the praises of the United Steelworkers union. Stated unions built the middle class and that Republicans needed to work with unions to win in 2008. I guess I might consider voting for this guy, too.

Sam Brownback: Mentioned his mother was a mail carrier then focused the rest of his answer on union abuses and the need to investigate unions. Why is it that we never hear about going after all the corruption in the business world which is does far more harm to our economy than a handful of rogue union leaders ever could?

Tom Tancredo: Said workers in civil service should not have a union too. Then he proceeded to bash unions for working toward reform of the immigration laws, and accused unions of trying to swell their ranks through the reform of the laws. OK, whatever, Tom.

So, there you have it, straight from the mouths of Republicans, unions are good for America! Now go tell all your anti-union, Republican friends of yours to watch the video and see for themselves.