Perhaps it was the hearty and slightly profane introduction, but Democratic Senate hopeful Robin Carnahan gave one of her most energetic campaign speeches yet at a state meeting of the AFL-CIO.

The union's Missouri president, Hugh McVey, welcomed her with the promise that she would "kick Blunt's ass" referring to her Republican rival, Congressman Roy Blunt.

Carnahan took McVey's cue to get right to the point, attacking Blunt's 14 years in Washington.

"How much longer does he need to stick it to us?" Carnahan asked. "Here's what I say: Not a minute longer."

Calling Blunt "Mr. Bailout," Carnahan skewered the Springfield congressman for his leadership role in negotiating the $700 billion bank rescue bill that many Democrats supported.

"He bailed them out with $700 billion of our money -- our money!" Carnahan said.

Carnahan also criticized Blunt for his opposition to minimum wage increases -- red meat for a union audience.

"That just offends me. It offends me. It is bull," Carnahan said.

Before Carnahan's speech, a union official reminded the audience (union members from around the state) of the importance of labor households in elections.

Left unsaid was the effect unemployment could have on reaching union members. One of the key places organized labor connects with members is on job sites, which are providing fewer jobs than they once did.