AFL-CIO chief praises Reid as labor's 'champion'

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) is labor's "champion," AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka will say later Tuesday in a bid to rally Nevada workers.

Trumka, during a campaign appearance in Reno later Tuesday alongside Reid and Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.), will laud the top Senate Democrat while casting his Republican opponent, Sharron Angle, as beholden to corporate interests.

"Harry Reid knows what he’s doing. He knows what we need — and how to deliver it," Trumka will say, according to prepared remarks, pointing to Reid's stances on energy, job creation, Social Security and the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA, or "card-check"). "If we’re going to keep our champion, we’ve got to fight for him."

Nevada is home to a large number of union employees, a typically Democratic base whose turnout could make the difference in Reid's tight reelection campaign. Like Democrats nationally, Reid is counting on high turnout to deliver a victory for him on Nov. 2, and has already begun encouraging early voting in the state.

Trumka will look to rally voters by railing against the outside groups that have spent heavily against Reid in Nevada, and on Angle's behalf.

"Sharron Angle wouldn’t even be a contender in this race if it weren’t for the millions from secret, corporate donors," Trumka will say. "I’ve got one question for you: Are you going to let corporate CEOs buy Harry Reid’s seat? Are you? I didn’t think so!"