http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=536&ncid=536&e=5&u=/ap/20040203/ap_on_el_pr/democrats_laborWASHINGTON - Labor unions that have invested millions in Howard Dean (news - web sites)'s struggling presidential bid are concerned about the viability of a campaign that doesn't expect to win until mid-February.
Union leaders say they'll stick with the beleaguered Democrat, but also recognize that his uphill battle is growing more steep with the losses in the first two contests combined with another round of defeats expected Tuesday.
"It's difficult when you lose the first two. You go in with high expectations and you get demoralized. You've got to rev up the troops," said Larry Scanlon, political director for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.
The former Vermont governor plans to explain his strategy to stay in the race during a face-to-face meeting later this week with his three top labor backers: AFSCME, the Service Employees International Union and the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades.
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