LA Times: Union support indication that they think Dean is a winner

[CMT]

Former Vermont Governor Howard Dean gained the endorsement Thursday of the largest union in the AFL-CIO and was on the threshold of winning support from a secnd major union, backing that would provide a major boost to his quest for the Democratic presidential nomination. The Service Employees International Union's executive board delayed formal announcement of a decision to back Dean until next Wednesday, when it could act jointly with the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees. But sources close to labor and the Dean campaign said the SEIU had endorsed Dean and that AFSCME was expected to follow suit.

Eric Hauser, a Democratic strategist who is not yet backing a candidate in the nomination contest, said the SEIU support of Dean and the expected endorsement from AFSCME is evidence that "the institutional players in the Democratic party think he can win, or they wouldn't have done this. Secondly, it's like a breath of fresh air for him after the flag (controvesry). He must feel like a new man." Hauser added that in a Democratic race with nine candidates, "if you can turn out an extra 10% that can be a huge difference."

Tyrone Freeman, the president of an SEIU local in Los Angeles, stepped to the microphone to say he was speaking for "people of color" adn that he was "satisfied with the explanation and program and agenda of Gov. Dean with regards to dealing with issues of minorities."

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/politics/la-na-union7nov07000440,1,4830279.story?coll=la-news-politics-national

Here are some statistics on those unions
SEIU members range from those at the bottom of the economic ladder to doctors. Nearly 40% of the union's members are ethnic minorities, with 28% black or latino, a union official said.

Members of AFSCME hold a range of jobs at all levels of govenment, and more than one-third are college educated.

[Monte Carlo]

1. Congratulations for Dr. Dean.

The support of those unions will certainly be a trump card in the primaries. As a Kerry man, I'm envious.

[LuminousX]

2. I'm losing it, I thought the post title said 'Whiner'

and I was hot under the collar, especially after reading what was posted and found nothing to indicate Dean was 'whining.' Then I re-read the title and realized what an idiot I am. Winning is what Dean is doing.

[Padraig18]

3. Staedy on, lad!

:hug: :P

[NewYorkerfromMass]

4. Of course they think so. But there's a good chance they are wrong too.

Life's a gamble. Some of us think Dean's a bad bet.

[blm]

6. How many picket lines did Dean join when he was in office?

Kucinich. Gephardt and Kerry all joined picket lines. Did Dean align with any picket lines while he spent 11 years aligning with the GOP in Vermont?

I guess he could have joined hospital workers.

Did he ever join a picket line to side with any other laborers?

[helleborient]

7. Is this the negativity endorsed by John Kerry???

I doubt it...I give him more credit than that, but I thought I would ask.

[sfecap]

9. It just makes you crazy, doesn't it?

Dean has been on picket lines recently.

Do your homework...

The union endorsements are about electibility. That's why they aren't endorsing Kerry.

[helleborient]

5. Congrats to Dr. Dean and the Dean campaign!

Hope moves forward!!

[jerryster]

8. endorsements

How much have these endorsements helped the Dems the last few elections? As I recall they were often followed by reports of the leadership being out of touch with the rank and file.

[CMT]

10. they can be crucial in the primaries and caucuses

and organized labor did a great job for Democrats in 2000--they're GOTV efforts payed off not only with Gore winning the popular vote but in democrats gainig five senate seats that year.

[Cha]

11. Many thanks for this, CMT!

Dean is a Winner! And I'm glad to see so many interesting People agreeing and putting up their endorsements! :D