Unions Feel Abandoned by Obama in Wis. Recall

Feeling the heat in the Wisconsin recall election, union brass are lashing out at President Barack Obama and Washington Democrats for not doing enough to help them turn the tide.

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s challenger, Milwaukee Democratic Mayor Tom Barrett, trails by a meager 5 points in most polls, and union leaders feel the Democratic National Committee and the president could narrow the gap through endorsements and a cash infusion, The Hill reports.

Obama released a statement endorsing Barrett after Barrett’s primary win, but nothing more. Many feel a public endorsement would help sway voters.

For its part, the DNC sent out a fundraising email for Barrett, has refused loosening purse strings to fully support him. "I'm very disappointed that the DNC has not seen fit to make a dollar investment," International Association of Firefighters President Harold Schaitberger said, according to The Hill.

"Labor has always been there for the national Democratic Party. The national Democratic Party should be there for labor in this instance. They're not," he said.