Obama vows to support unions

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-obama-04022008cn,0,7835393.story

10:00 AM EDT, April 2, 2008

PHILADELPHIA - Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama made a direct appeal for the support of organized labor, telling hundreds of union activists today that he's "ready to go on the offense" for them.

"It's time we have a president who doesn't choke saying the word union," Obama, the junior United State senator from Illinois told members of the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO who gathered here this week for their 38th annual constitutional convention.

"It's time we have a Democratic nominee who doesn't just talk about unions during a primary. It's time for we have a president who knows it's the Department of Labor, not the Department of Management."

Obama also put a shot over the bow of rival Hillary Clinton, who compared herself to hometown hero Rocky Balboa during an appearance before union activists here yesterday and vowed to stay in the race.

"I know there's been some talk about Rocky Balboa over the last couple of days," Obama said. "We all love Rocky. But the last time I checked, I was the underdog in this state."

Obama also reminded the crowd that the scrappy boxer embodied by actor Sylvester Stallone was fictional, and "so is the idea that someone can fight for the underdog and still embrace the broken system in Washington."

FULL story at link.