AFSCME Leader on CNN's Inside Politics - cites Clark's decision...

[VolcanoJen]

... not to campaign in Iowa as a major reason he did not receive their endorsement.

Gerald McEntee, President of AFSCME, was interviewed earlier by Judy Woodruff, and I just watched her report. He says that Dean represents the values of AFSCME membership, and that the decision came down to Gephardt, Kerry, Dean and Clark. He stated that the phone call breaking the news to Dick Gephardt was difficult to make.

He then stated that he is truly a "flirt," and that the union did postpone the announcement to take a closer look at Wes Clark. He went on to say that the union was somewhat uncomfortable with Clark's campaign organization and structure, although they like him personally. They were upset when Clark's campaign made the tactical decision not to campaign in Iowa, and that he told Clark that personally. The union organization in Iowa was for Dean "all the way," he stated, and that Clark's decision not to campaign there may have cost him their endorsement.

It was a fascinating interview, and Dean and his supporters should be very pleased and energized by these very, very major endorsements.

:D
Jennifer

[Cha]

1. Thank you, Jennifer! That was really

a riveting account you just gave!

And I am so happy right now! :D :bounce:

[meegbear]

2. If 'the union organization in Iowa was for dean "all the way,"'

then Clark's decision wasn't relevant.

[VolcanoJen]

3. Except that McEntee said he polled the Iowa union leadership...

... after Clark's decision not to campaign there. It was at that time that Iowa's AFSCME leadership gave Dean the "thumbs-up."

[LoneStarLiberal]

4. Good Boost for Dean

These endorsements will be a good boost for Dean and cut into Gephardt's prestige.

Too bad my man Wes Clark decided to skip Iowa...I'd bet he could have wrangled at least one of those endorsements, but Iowa is a sinkhole unless you have a very solid campaign structure in place and lots of time on the ground, two things Clark didn't have in time to be competitive in Iowa.

It'll be interesting to see how this influences the Dean-Gephardt race in Iowa.

[VolcanoJen]

5. I don't think it was a bad decision for Clark to skip Iowa, but...

... with these endorsements, and with the news coverage they're receiving, Dean will likely surge soon. If Clark doesn't finish a strong 3rd in New Hampshire, and if he doesn't absolutely win South Carolina, he'll be cooked.

Thing is, big victories by Dean in IA and NH could cause a spillover effect into South Carolina. If he emerges as the strong, solid front-runner after IA and NH, that could conceivably carry him through the primaries. Of course, Clinton employed a different strategy and was able to overcome his defeats in IA and NH in '92. Only time will tell if anyone can beat Dean at this point.

Clark's my guy, too, so I'm a little bummed about these developments.
I do wish to congratulate Dean supporters on receiving these major endorsements from our union brothers and sisters, though. No sour grapes here. :-)

[Cocoa]

6. they considered Clark

and they didn't consider Kucinich? wtf?

[FrenchieCat]

7. Actually,

I think that this speaks well of Clark as a candidate....and shows that Dean was looked at only after certain Clark factors were taken into consideration.

Clark has been in the race only a short while, yet he still was given much consideration. They liked Clark they said, which speaks of Clark's electibility. So Clark comes out not looking to bad for the wear.

I do however congratulate Dean on his union coup!

[Shakespeare]

9. Because...

...the unions want to throw their support behind a winner. I know that's sad, but it's reality (and I'm a Kucinich donor, btw...I'm intrigued by Clark, but Dennis the Menace is the only candidate to whom I've given any money).

[ajacobson]

8. Rub it in

d'oh

:(

I have to admit, I agree that Iowa just wasn't in the cards for Clark considering his late start but why was it necessary to announce that?

There is a grassroots campaign there, you let them take the lead and do what they can, you fly in the General a couple times, it wouldn't impress anybody but if it would have kept the AFSCME on the burner wouldn't that have been the right call?

Hindsight=20/20

[FrenchieCat]

10. Because when Clark wins....

They will be on record on wanting to back Clark but couldn't because he wouldnt be in the running in Iowa....covering they hindsides, I believe.