AFL-CIO makes the case that the choice of Daniels is a warning to unions everywhere that the party plans to make the passage of 'right-to-work' for less laws a top priority in 2012:

Daniels is a key backer of right to work for less (RTW) legislation which state Republican lawmakers, in a stunning display of arrogance, have repeatedly tried to ram through, while thumbing their noses at working Hoosiers–not to mention democracy.

Democratic state house lawmakers yesterday left the legislature to protest moves by the Republican majority, especially the refusal to allow Democrats to offer a vote making RTW a referendum, so that the people of Indiana would vote on it directly.

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“We wanted the vote to be up or down,” said House Minority Leader Patrick Bauer (D). “The Republican Party wanted to skip the people completely, skip the election process and then skip the referendum process on whether or not you can have this bill, which many consider a ‘right to work for less’ — less pay, less safety less health care.”

Republican state House Speaker Brian Bosma is fining 33 House Democrats $1,000 each per day for every day they are not in the legislature.

Throughout the week, Hoosiers have packed the statehouse to protest being locked out of the democratic process. Since convening this month, Republicans in control of the House have:

Cut off testimony on the “right to work” for less bill so the committee wouldn’t have to listen to the truth.

Turned off the chamber sound system so the public cannot hear the proceedings.

Attempted to lock the public out of the statehouse, before nationwide attention forced the Republican majority to open the doors.