The battle over the Employee Free Choice Act has begun to heat up, with President Obama signaling that he is in full support of the legislation. And as the battle draws near both sides are gearing up for battle with an ad war, with the tone getting especially nasty. The business ads frequently compare organized labor to organized thugs, and are completely over the top.

The President signaled his continued support in a videotaped message to organized labor. From the Wall Street Journal:

President Barack Obama told AFL-CIO union leaders Tuesday in a videotaped address that the controversial Employee Free Choice Act will pass, signaling his full backing for legislation that makes union organizing easier.

“We will pass the Employee Free Choice Act,” President Obama told more than 100 top labor officials in a closed-door meeting at the labor federation’s winter gathering in Miami, according to people at the meeting.

The bill will be filed in the Senate, where passage is uncertain. A Republican filibuster is assured, and blue dog Democratic support is tenuous. Labor seems ready for the amendment process in the Senate, and will target recalcitrant Democrats within their home states with a barrage of pressure. And the business community has really drawn the battle lines, with the Chamber of Commerce leading the anti card check fight. We will follow this battle closely in the weeks ahead.