Sources: Union to wait on endorsement

[cherryperry]

WASHINGTON, Sept. 10 — The largest union in the AFL-CIO is holding off on making a presidential endorsement, although John Edwards has surged from unknown to contender while John Kerry has stumbled.
The Service Employees International Union has decided to wait before backing one of the nine presidential candidates, with leaders wanting more time to let rank-and-file members get to know the candidates and their issues, union sources said Wednesday.

Eight of the nine Democrats vying to challenge President Bush next year addressed SEIU's conference Monday. Afterward, Edwards, the North Carolina senator, catapulted into the top tier while Kerry, the Massachusetts senator, dropped off.

The union's executive council, which met in closed session Wednesday afternoon, was considering a resolution acknowledging the top candidates, one union source said, requesting anonymity.
The nearly 1,500 attendees were asked to rank their two favorites before hearing from the candidates.

Former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean and Rep. Dick Gephardt of Missouri, the traditional favorite of labor, remained on the list of three. Rankings and vote totals were not given, sources said.

Edwards' showing surprised some officials with the 1.6 million-member union. He often is noted for his camera-pleasing appearance, but had trailed Dean, Gephardt and Kerry as a major contender among union leaders. That could change.

Gephardt has received 12 union endorsements so far, and many are from trades and industrial unions. No other candidate has been given support by an international union.

The SEIU is the nation's fastest-growing union and among the most progressive and diverse, making it an enticing prize for Democrats seeking labor support. Its members are janitors, nursing home workers, home health care workers, hospital nurses and government employees. Many are Hispanic.


http://famulus.msnbc.com/famulusgen/ap09-10-142726.asp?t=apnew&vts=91020031434#body

[Vikingking66]

1. I wonder why?

Perhaps it has something to do with the overtime vote in the Senate.
Did Kerry miss it and Edwards make it or what?

[RevolutionStartsNow]

4. Anyone know what happened?

I read an article last night about the candidates and the unions last night, said Kerry and Dean were both well received. And Gep. Good for Edwards, though.

[kwolf68]

2. I still say

Edwards is the dark horse.

And thats a good question...What did Kerry do to fall out of favor?

[TakebackAmerica]

3. One Word:

CLARK

[cherryperry]

6. Excellent Question!

Just to let you know, I have e-mailed AFL-CIO asking for as fast an answer as they are able re your question. I will post it as soon as I hear back!

[kwolf68]

7. Thanks a lot

I don't mind the unions choosing up a candidate, but to reduce support/interest says they have recently learned something they may not like about Kerry.

[onehandle]

5. Makes sense.

The current polls mean absolutely nothing. I think they should wait until February.