SEIU Eyes Dean, Gephardt, Kerry

[jburton]

Major Union Eyes Dean, Gephardt, Kerry

WASHINGTON - Democrats Howard Dean (news - web sites), Dick Gephardt (news - web sites) and John Kerry were the top contenders Monday for a crucial presidential endorsement from the largest union in the AFL-CIO, a decision that could come as early as Wednesday.

Although Andy Stern, president of the 1.6 million-member Service Employees International Union, named those three as likely to capture the union's backing at this week's political conference, Dean was the clear crowd favorite Monday.

SNIP____

"I really urge them to hang back a little bit. Watch this develop," Lieberman said.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20030908/ap_on_el_pr/democrats_labor_5

[K-W]

1. I hope they back Gephardt

For his record and his policies.

[pruner]

2. LMAO @ Lieberman

what a fucking loser.

[Stephanie]

4. What does he care?

He's already got Newt's endorsement. He's set!

[PaDUer]

10. Lieberman should

withdraw from the race instead of taking up space!

[cherryperry]

3. SEIU is a good, progressive union and so

Lieberman needs to have a reality check!

My guess is they'd like to pay back Gephardt for his pro-union stands, but that since they also want to back the nominee, they are going to wrestle between Kerry and Dean.


jburton: do you know what date they have, if they have, decided to announce who they have chosen to back?

Thanks.

[pruner]

5. article says maybe as early as Wednesday

n/t

[cherryperry]

9. Thank you - I'll be on the lookout! n/t

[dean4america]

6. a few things.

first, lieberman can fuck off.

second, while i agree that unions in general want to reward gephardt for always being with them, they ALSO want to win in 2004.

third, more so than any other union, SEIU's base is behind a Dean endorsement AND they are very organized in terms of GOTV, etc.

and fourth, even if Dean doesn't get the full SEIU endorsement, local 250 in san fran area and the one in NYC with rivera will possibly go their own way and endorse Dean. In particularly, Rivera is hosting a dean fundraiser later this month (even though he says it shoudln't be read as anything more than that).

and lastly, just for good measure, lieberman can fuck off (in case he tuned into this post late).

[Eloriel]

7. dean4america

I like your style.

:evilgrin:

Eloriel

[w4rma]

11. I pretty much agree, except

I think the leadership is probably leaning pro-Gephardt, but because the membership is trending pro-Dean they might not end up endorsing anyone yet. That seems to be the situation with the AFL-CIO, also.

This is my understanding of the situation.

[Sean Reynolds]

8. Poor Lieberman!

My gut says they'll back Dean because he has a better shot at winning the nomination. That and he's a crowd favorite among their members.