Democrat Dean to Get Boost from Labor Endorsements
Wed November 12, 2003 12:15 AM ET
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democratic presidential contender Howard Dean will win a double shot of momentum and organizational muscle on Wednesday with endorsements from two of the most politically influential labor unions.
The joint announcement by the 1.6-million member Service Employees International Union (SIEU) and the 1.4-million member American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) is a political coup for Dean, giving his campaign a huge boost barely two months ahead of the crucial first nomination contests in Iowa and New Hampshire.
The former Vermont governor will appear at the endorsement announcement with top union officials, providing a striking show of his appeal and potential in a 2004 matchup against President Bush.
Combined with Dean's weekend announcement that he will decline public financing, freeing him to spend unlimited amounts of money against Bush, the endorsements put Dean in command of the race against eight rivals for the right to challenge Bush in 2004. (snip/...)
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=politicsNews&storyID=3801138