FL Teamsters Endorse Charlie Crist for Senate

[ccharles000]

Five Teamsters Locals Join Broad Labor Coalition in Support of Crist's Independent Campaign

ST. PETERSBURG – On the first day of the general election campaign, Florida Teamsters today endorsed Governor Charlie Crist's independent campaign for the U.S. Senate. The five Teamsters locals—Local 79 in Tampa, Local 173 in Bradenton, Local 385 in Orlando, Local 947 in Jacksonville and Local 991, in Mobile, Alabama, with Teamster members in the Panhandle—join a broad coalition of organized labor supporting Crist. The Crist campaign already enjoys the support of the Florida Education Association, the Florida Pipe Trades, Corrections USA, and the Florida Police Benevolent Association. “I am honored by the support of the Teamsters, and working men and women across Florida who know we need independent leadership—not the same-old partisan politicians—in Washington to work across party lines to create jobs and rebuild our economy,” said Crist. “My number one priority in the United States Senate will be to create jobs for Florida's working families, and I look forward to working with organized labor and businesses alike to accomplish just that.” In their endorsement, the Teamsters cited Crist's commitment and independent approach to creating jobs and rebuilding the economy, issues vital to working families.

“Charlie Crist is a good governor who cares more about people than party,” said Local 79 President Ken Wood. “He stood up for President Obama's stimulus package when he thought it would help working families in Florida, even though he took a lot of flak from his own party for doing so. We need to elect politicians who listen to us, who represent us and who protect us, and that's exactly what Charlie Crist has done for Florida's working families.” Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.

http://thepage.time.com/statement-fl-teamsters-endorse-charlie-crist-for-senate/

[golfguru]

1. Great! more votes lost by Meek n/t

[zipplewrath]

2. The GOP is poised to take over the union vote

It's been that way for a while. But with the democratic party getting closer and closer to the banking industry and big business, the GOP could take the union vote away, if they could ever get their head out of their......

[Cosmocat]

4. sure ...

like the republican's are poised to take over the hispanic vote ... cause, when they take a break from race baiting over immigration they bash unions ...

I know union people, they can be a bit ambivilent of democrats (liberals in specific) at times, and most are big gun types ...

But, they are NOT stupid ...

They know the Rs would kill unions in a heartbeat if they had a chance ...

They also are pragmatic ... They know Rubio would be a complete menace, and are backing a the BEST bet to keep Rubio out of office, and also know from this tenure as governor that Crist was reasonable with unions (for an R at least) ...

[zipplewrath]

6. I know

The GOP never seems to miss an opportunity to avoid picking up the labor vote. They've had several chances to do it and missed everyone. But a moderate Republican (are there any more?) could have them in a heart beat. The union vote has VERY populist leanings most of the time. And with labor currently getting insults from the White House, and the teachers pissed off at Duncan, the union vote is just iching for some "new friends". Of course the GOP would have to realize that alot of blacks, hispanics, and women are in unions. Kinda different from their diverse base of old white men.

[Thrill]

8. One problem. Republicans HATE unions

[BootinUp]

3. Well I hope he didn't get them for nothing nt

[BeFree]

5. In other headlines

Stupid union bosses support candidates that would get rid of unions in a second.

Those candidates support right to work laws which suppress union power which deflates a proper rise in workers' wages.

But the union bosses don't give a flying fuck: they got theirs, screw U.

[Uzybone]

9. sounding just like a republican

blaming union bosses for everything the union does.


That said, I think they are nuts for endorsing him, but I hate that RW meme of evil union "bosses"

[SwampG8r]

7. florida is a right to work stste so big whoop

all 20 of floridas union members will sell out to crist
big deal

[4lbs]

10. I think there's a few more than 20 union members in Florida. Try 482,000.

The latest figures for Florida, by the U.S. Census Bureau:

http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2010/tables/10s0650.xls


There are 482,000 labor union members in Florida by last count of the US Census.

[SwampG8r]

11. are they sarcasm challenged too?

[Divine Discontent]

12. that's still a lot!

I am a former Teamster #385, and it doesn't surprise me they quickly aligned to Crist. Let's face it, this is Florida, and Meek isn't a superstar candidate with amazing energy and speaking talent like our president. It is laughable to think a candidate like Meek could win the senate seat here, imo. It's no surprise to see the Teamsters blazin' a trail the very same week the general election begins!

[Ken Burch]

13. Here are some PAST Teamster endorsements....

...any questions?...