Well, it only took four years for Machinists’ union boss Tom Buffenbarger to warm up to Barack Obama, whom the union boss once compared to Janus, the two-faced Roman god.

On Friday, as it reluctantly dutifully did four years ago, the International Association of Machinists endorsed Barack Obama and his bid for a second term.

In so doing, the Machinists’ union again joins the ranks of the ‘latte-drinking, prius-driving, Birkenstock-wearing, trust fund babies,’ those Obama supporters Buffenbarger once poked fun at. [Of course, while Buffenbarger may not wear Birkenstocks, he does get to fly around in his own private jet which is paid for by his union’s members.]

In Friday’s endorsement, Machinists’ boss Buffenbarger stated (emphasis added):

“We’re convinced the job growth we’re now seeing, particularly in the critical manufacturing sector, is a direct result of President Obama’s policies and leadership and we want that growth to continue.”

This is quite a departure from Buffenbarger’s past rhetoric.

In fact, Buffenbarger has been a rather ardent critic of the administration, even stating after Obama’s first State of the Union address:

It is hard to reconcile the images of a year ago – millions of Americans watching as one as President Barack Obama took the oath of office – and the faces of 31 million Americans who have been idled in this Grave Recession. Even the pomp and ceremony of this State of the Union address could not dispel the sense that something has gone terribly awry.

The clarion calls of hope and change have faded like the last notes of Taps. The enveloping darkness, a darkness of deepening disillusionment and even deeper cynicism, is settling across the land.

Then, of course, there is Buffenbarger’s rhetoric in the 2008 Democratic primary when he was more forthright in what he thought about Barack Obama.

Apparently, Barack Obama isn’t the only Janus in the room.
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“Socialism has no place in the hearts of those who would secure the fight for freedom and preserve democracy.” Samuel Gompers, American Federation of Labor, 1918

Cross-posted on LaborUnionReport.com