Reuters is reporting that big labor unions are preparing to campaign over "the long haul" to ensure a Democrat is elected to the White House this fall.  Unions see 2008 as their best chance since 1964 to have a Democratic-controlled legislature and a liberal in the White House that is beholden to their agenda - and they're willing to do almost anything to see this happen.

"We will have a rigorous program once both candidates are chosen," she said. "We're not just sitting on the sidelines. We're engaged. ... We need to expand the progressive majority. The stakes are huge."

The AFL-CIO has budgeted $54 million, $6 million more than in the 2004 election, in support of Democratic candidates for president and in dozens of congressional races.

Sullivan said his union's spending on this election could nearly triple to a record $20 million. "Losing is not an option, so money is not an object," he said.

Top items on big labor's policy agenda would be government-controlled health care and card check, a method of organizing unions without the benefit to workers of secret ballots.