BPPA breaks tradition, endorses Kerry for president

[Tab]

BOSTON - The city's main police union broke with a tradition of backing Republicans for president and voted to endorse Democrat John Kerry, largely because he once honored their picket line.
...
In June, while the union was locked in a bitter contract dispute with Mayor Tom Menino, Kerry refused to cross the Boston Police Patrolmen's Association's picket line outside a meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors in Boston.

The BPPA made headlines in 1988 for backing President Bush's father over then-Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis.

"This is a significant endorsement, particularly if you go back to 1988," Delahunt said.

The union endorsed Bush again in 1992, and had also endorsed Ronald Reagan. Union officials said this was the first time they'd endorsed a Democrat for president
http://www.telegram.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20041021/APN/410210749

[aquart]

1. I was very proud when Kerry honored that picket line.

I believe my very first steps were directed away from a picket line.

[goodboy]

2. Kick...great news...

[dolstein]

3. What a relief. I was SO worried about Massachusetts' electoral votes

I certainly hope the union is going to send some foot soldiers to New Hampshire, where they can at least do some good.

[study_war_no_more]

4. I just seen Patty Wetterling endorsed by Minnesota Police

Wheee Mark Kennedy has put on really sleazy ads he deserves to be defeated.

[proud patriot]

5. YES !

I hope other cities police Unions saw that Kerry
refused to cross a picketline ....

Edwards also refused to cross the Hotel workers
picketline in SF last week :D

[aden_nak]

6. Good. Helps dispell the myth that Kerry is weak on these sorts of issues.

I mean, surely the police union wouldn't back a man who was weak on homeland security, right? It shows that the law enforcement officials who are most familiar with Kerry TRUST HIM as a leader.

[Tab]

7. I left this off of the article, but this was the best part

BPPA president Thomas J. Nee... told The Boston Globe, "The Bush administration has not answered the call. Their record speaks for itself. He was absent for the grit, but there for the glory."

[NewYorkerfromMass]

8. that's a rockin' quote

kick ass!

[glitch]

9. Very nice - that needs to be repeated often - welcome to DU! nt

[Cha]

10. I tell ya..it's Boston's Year!

"The union's 50-member House of Representatives gave its backing to Kerry on Wednesday, following a personal appeal by U.S. Rep. William D. Delahunt, D-Mass., to support the hometown candidate."


I have to tell you a little story now..my friends were in Boston last Spring and they were by Kerry's house where there was a whole bunch of commotion goin' on. Pat asked someone on the street what was happening and he said.. Kerry is coming out of his house on his way somewhere.

They walked further down so they could see him(Big Kerry Fans)and saw a policeman to whom they said..we want to see the "next president of the United States and the policeman said .."he's in Houston right now"!

We've come along Way Baby!
:D

[sonias]

11. He was absent for the grit, but there for the glory

That is bu$h' whole life in a single quote.

BPPA president Thomas J. Nee pegged him.

Sonia

[AlCzervik]

12. Holy Crap!

that is really, really good news.

[Beaverhausen]

13. rate it a "5" at Yahoo

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20041021/ap_on_el_pr/kerry_police_union_1

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

14. Take that, Shrub!