Gephardt Is Set Back in Bid for A.F.L.-C.I.O. Endorsement

[Snellius]

Representative Richard A. Gephardt's push to win the endorsement of the A.F.L.-C.I.O., which is important to his hopes of winning the Democratic presidential nomination, has been set back by his problems raising money and his low standing in some polls, many union leaders say.

Mr. Gephardt of Missouri has far more individual union endorsements than any of the other eight Democratic candidates. But to win the labor federation's endorsement, he needs the backing of unions representing two-thirds of its 13 million members.
...
Many union leaders question whether Mr. Gephardt can obtain the needed two-thirds majority. Hurting his chances, several union presidents say, is that three of the nation's largest and most politically active unions — the state, county and municipal employees, the Service Employees International Union and the American Federation of Teachers — appear unlikely to endorse Mr. Gephardt any time soon. The state, county and municipal employees are leaning toward Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts, while the service employees and teachers say they are not ready to decide because they are still polling their members. Those unions represent nearly a third of the A.F.L.-C.I.O.'s membership.

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/03/politics/campaigns/03LABO.html

[revcarol]

1. Seems the NY Times is not honest in reporting.

Kucinich is up there, especially among AFSCME and service employees. He walked with striking people in California the other day.VERY supportive of labor, but the NYT is on an "ignore Kucinich" kick.
Gotta support big bizness-as-usual.

Kerry would NOT repeal NAFTA and withdraw from the WTO. He supports the DLC stand, and labor would ill serve their interests by voting for Kerry, no matter what under the table promises he made.

[MoonGod]

2. Umm.. aren't they forgetting something?

"...set back by his problems raising money and his low standing in some polls..."

What about the fact that he was so busy campaigning that he failed to show up to 2 different major labor votes that were decided by close margins?

To be fair, Gephardt has a long record of voting pro-union, but one has to wonder if he'll really be there for the unions when the rubber meets the road. Kucinich looks like true pro-union candidate in this bunch. Why unions aren't falling over themselves to endorse him is beyond me.

[pansypoo53219]

3. yeah right,

HE'S gonna get the nomination-NOT. couldn't even do much as minority leader and he thinks he can run for pres?