Powerful Labor Union Declines Official U.S. Presidential Endorsement

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7008639291

Julie Farby - AHN News Writer

Washington, DC (AHN)-The politically powerful Service Employees International Union (SEIU) is postponing its official presidential endorsement until next month, prompting speculation that favored Democratic hopeful John Edwards may be facing some stiff competition from Democratic rivals Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.

Support within the SEIU is mixed, with all three Democratic frontrunners receiving a share of the unions backing. While union leaders and many of the 60-plus members of its board favor John Edwards, the group is holding off on a formal endorsement until group members consult with local constituents.

The SEIU is a powerful organization, with 1.8-million members in the union that includes janitors, hotel workers, and truck drivers. All three Democratic presidential hopefuls covet the SEIU's endorsement, both for its grassroots organizational skills, as well as its hefty war chest of more than $25 million, which the group has donated to mostly Democratic candidates since 1989.

[Atman]

1. There more than a YEAR before the election!

No one should be endorsing anyone yet.

.

[LiberalFighter]

2. Labor unions should not be contributing that much to candidates yet

until they know who is likely to win the nomination.

Maybe most of the primaries will be before the end of March but it is possible that it will still be up for grabs in May.