Politico's Ben Smith: 170,000 Member SEIU Illinois endorses Barack Obama for President

[flpoljunkie]

Ben Smith:

Meanwhile, the Illinios SEIU backed Obama today in a release that discusses efforts in "neighboring states."
As a labor insider e-mailed me, "Has anyone actually thought through the enforceability of the SEIU rules: What, are Andy Stern or his colleagues going to stand on the Iowa border and check every SEIU person‘s driver’s license? ...You don’t think it’s possible to set up a phone bank with 20 people on Lake Shore Drive and call Iowa numbers and the voters have no idea where those calls are coming from? If there are complaints about an SEIU person coming from Illinois for example, I assume it will be like the toothless FEC—adjudicated down the road after the dust has settled and, then, with very little consequences."

For Immediate Release

Monday, October 15, 2007

For more information contact

Jerry Morrison, SEIU Illinois State Council, 312 560-6742

State’s Largest Union Endorses Barack Obama for President

The Illinois State Council of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and the Indiana SEIU representing more than 170,000 workers has voted unanimously to endorse Barack Obama for President. The union of healthcare workers, security guards, janitors, public workers, home healthcare and childcare workers has a long-standing relationship with Senator Obama and is proud to support his candidacy.

Tom Balanoff, President of the SEIU Illinois State Council, cited Obama’s commitment to expanding access to affordable healthcare and to protecting workers’ rights as among the biggest reasons for his union’s early endorsement.

In announcing the SEIU’s endorsement, President Balanoff called Obama, “a real fighter for working families with a proven track record of getting things done.” Balanoff also cited Obama’s early opposition to the Iraq War as proof positive that he has the judgment and vision necessary to serve in the nation’s highest office.

Illinois SEIU is widely recognized as one of the most effective political organizations in the state and is committed to helping organize thousands of its members to volunteer on the Senator’s presidential campaign. Already, hundreds of members are volunteering to phone bank, door knock and to travel to neighboring states to support Obama’s presidential bid.

http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/1007/Early_state_endorsements.html

By Ben Smith 12:40 PM

[geek tragedy]

1. What a shock!

SEIU members:

Edwards 1200
Obama 170,000

;)

Those numbers will be changing, of course.

[Debi]

2. But aren't there rules about local endorsements?

They can only organize in the state that they endorse in, right?

So the disparity from one state to another really doesn't matter.

Edwards has received Iowa's SEIU endorsement and Obama has received Illinois. :hi:

[flpoljunkie]

3. More on the endorsement from AP

Obama Gets Illinois SEIU Endorsement

The Associated Press
Monday, October 15, 2007; 1:36 PM


SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- Democratic hopeful Barack Obama picked up the endorsement Monday of the 170,000-member Illinois Service Employees International Union, a boost to the candidate's prospects in neighboring Iowa, whose caucuses kickoff the presidential nomination contest.

The Illinois union could provide an important flow of volunteers to help knock on doors in Iowa or make phone calls on behalf of Obama. Spokesman Jerry Morrison said the union will have no trouble finding people willing to help.

"Our members are coming to us asking what they can do," Morrison said, adding that the Obama endorsement was an unanimous decision by Illinois leaders.

Tom Balanoff, president of the SEIU Illinois State Council, cited Obama's commitment to expanding access to affordable health care and to protecting workers' rights as among the biggest reasons for his union's early endorsement.

Balanoff also cited Obama's early opposition to the Iraq War.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/15/AR2007101500663.html