AFL-CIO Holding off on Making Endorsement, Disappointing Gephardt

[Judi Lynn]

AFL-CIO Holding off on Making Endorsement, Disappointing Gephardt
By Sam Hananel Associated Press Writer
Published: Oct 1, 2003


WASHINGTON (AP) - With the AFL-CIO delaying a decision on whether to endorse a presidential candidate, it is less likely that Democratic hopeful Dick Gephardt will boost his flagging campaign with organized labor's most coveted prize.

AFL-CIO President John Sweeney planned to hold a mid-October meeting to consider Gephardt, but only if there was sufficient support from about two-thirds of the federation's 13 million members. At a meeting of labor leaders on Tuesday, several of the unions voted to put off the meeting indefinitely.

The former House minority leader has strong support among trade and industrial labor groups, but has had a difficult time persuading leaders of large service and public sector unions that he is capable of winning the nomination and defeating President Bush.

"While a number of unions have endorsed, or indicated that they will endorse, Rep. Dick Gephardt, other unions find that their members are still considering this issue and are not yet ready to have their union decide such an important question," Sweeney said in a statement. (snip/...)

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGA0J5929LD.html

[bluestateguy]

1. Gephardt in '88!

My choice for 2004, though, is Wesley Clark.

[10digits]

2. Me too.

I do think they will come around. I think Clark is the best candidate to clean up the mess.

[David__77]

3. I hope they delay.

I don't think the federation should endorse in this primary unless things thin out a bit first. Hopefully we're getting some clarity on labor issues. Does anyone but Gephardt oppose NAFTA and the like?

[Selwynn]

4. Kucinich opposes it (nt)