WASHINGTON – A heated battle is taking place inside a giant U.S. public employees’ union after its crushing failure this week to oust Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker – organized labor’s biggest political loss in decades.

At stake is the direction of the 1.3-million-member American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees after 31 years under retiring president Gerald McEntee. He’s been known for his zeal to build and maintain AFSCME’s clout as a leading liberal voice and political kingmaker in the Democratic Party.

A major question is whether that should continue.