Pooh-poohing the Governor's pull

Nurses at Finley Hospital in Dubuque have gone on strike. Where's Governor Vilsack (The Pickle)?

For the past couple of weeks he's tried to interject himself into contract talks.

In mid June he called the hospital's CEO and the following week he met with nurses in Dubuque.

The President of the Iowa Hospital Association isn't too impressed with The Pickle.

Kirk Norris has taken note that the governor isn't running for re-election, which diminishes his influence in the state. (Lame Pickle or Limp Pickle?) Norris believes The Pickle is currying favor with the union as he prepares for a possible presidential campaign.

The Service Employees International Union, to which the nurses belong, has contributed over $150,000 in the past to The Pickle.