First the reason was a recurrence of cancer.  Then came charges of groping a male member of his staff.  Then came the blame - pointing a finger at the White House for his resignation, saying it was due to the fact he would not support Health Care Reform.

Whatever the real reason is, it was just days before U.S. Congressman Eric Massa (Democrat-29th District) of the Southern Tier announced he was resigning that he personally called IUPAT (International Union of Painters & Allied Trades) District Council 4 Business Manager Dan Boody in Buffalo to ask for his Union's endorsement for his upcoming re-election campaign - as well as a contribution of $5,000.

And just days before that resignation announcement, New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) President Karen Ballard, along with 10 NYSNA-represented nurses, attended a fundraiser for Congressman Massa's upcoming re-election campaign.

What has followed in recent days could now be described as a strange media circus with a shifting of stories and explanations by Massa, who was interviewed during appearances Tuesday on the Fox TV Network and CNN's Larry King program - where he flip-flopped on accusations of whether he did or did not grope a male staff employee.

In Buffalo, Painters District 4 Business Manager Boody told WNYLaborToday.com today that Massa personally telephoned him on either Monday, March 1st or Tuesday, March 2nd to ask for his Union's support in his re-election bid.  Boody provided WNYLaborToday.com a copy of the letter Massa subsequently e-mailed to the Union Leader.  In part, it read as follows:

Thank you for all of your past support.  You have been a terrific help and I am grateful for all you have done for my campaign. As you know, in 2008 I fought a difficult fight to represent New York's 29^th Congressional District. This cycle we anticipate a costly campaign and I will need the support of the International Union of Painters & Allied Trades.

I would greatly appreciate your taking the time to review my race.  It is estimated that we will need to raise $1.8 million for the campaign.  A contribution of $5,000 towards the primary election before March 31, 2010 for my reelection would be appreciated. I know that you understand how important it is to raise funds.

"What a joke," Boody told WNYLaborToday.com this morning.  "It's so disturbing.  What the hell is the matter with these people?  One day they're asking you for your endorsement and financial support and then five or six days later he announces he's resigning."

Painters District Council 4 represents 2,000 members who work as painters, dry-wall finishers, glaziers, glassworkers, paper hangers and billboard posters in 33 counties across New York, stretching from Buffalo to Binghamton, up into Watertown and back down to the Southern Tier.

Massa is the latest elected official to top what is becoming a very long list of disappointments Organized Labor and Working People have had with those whom they've supported in the past and worked so hard to elect, but who have gotten themselves involved in either outright scandal or a cloud of controversy in recent months and years, including: former New York Governor Elliot Spitzer; New York State Comptroller Alan Hevasi; current Governor David Paterson; former Presidential Candidate and U.S. Senator John Edwards; U.S. Congressman Charles Rangel of New York; and State Senator Antoine Thompson of Buffalo.

"What makes them believe they're above the law?," Boody asked.  "Some of them get caught and they just keep going on and on."

NYSNA is considered New York's largest Union and professional association for Registered Nurses (RNs) with more than 37,000 members, including 2,000 here in Western New York. 

NYSNA President Karen Ballard told WNYLaborToday.com over the weekend during an interview from New York City that she and 10 other NYSNA-represented nurses attended a re-election fundraiser for Massa just days before the Southern Tier Congressman announced his resignation from office.

"I don't trust anyone anymore.  (Organized Labor) has helped give them the power and they don't pay attention to us after 'they' get what they need," Ballard said.

 "Looking at the Democratic Party, it's disappointing and it's not (getting better).  Now is a good time for (Organized Labor) to come up with a strategy," she suggested in terms of the tack Organized Labor must and will take in the future when it comes to endorsing and supporting candidates for all levels of elected office.

Meanwhile, the formal letter request that was e-mailed to Painters District Council 4 Business Manager Boody ended with a "thank you" from Congressman Massa. 

"Again, thank you for all your support in the past.  I look forward to hearing from you," Massa wrote to Boody.

But several days later, it was all over.