Democratic candidate wins backing of three maritime unions

[Freddie Stubbs]

Democratic presidential candidate Dick Gephardt has added three maritime unions to his growing list of labor endorsements.

Announcing their endorsement of the Missouri congressmen on Thursday were the Seafarers International Union of North America, with 80,000 members; the Marine Engineers Beneficial Association, with 29,000 members; and the American Maritime Officers, with 4,000 members.

Gephardt, a longtime union ally, so far has nabbed support from 10 unions with a collective membership of more than 1.4 million.

But that's not nearly enough for him to land a labor-wide endorsement from the AFL-CIO, which traditionally requires two-thirds support of the 13.2 million rank-and-file members.

more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2003/07/31/national1404EDT0615.DTL

[NewYorkerfromMass]

1. I knew it was Gephardt without clicking

he's the union guy. He got all po'd in '88 when Dukakis beat him to all the endorsements too.

[MaineDem]

2. I guessed it too. (n/t)

.

[robbedvoter]

3. See farers don't care about over time or head start

Or else, they don't care.

[shance]

4. That looks like Pelosi had influence there - San Francisco??

Im sorry Gephardt supporters, he I believe he would be one of the worst presidents possible.

The Republicans would chew him up and spit him out. And start the process over and repeat it.

On top of that hes inconsistent and unpredictable. He seems to lack any conviction other than whats in it for him.

[BrewCrew]

5. disagree shance

shance i respect your opinion, but I must say I emphatically disagree. For me and my loved ones I think Congressman Gephardt would be a fantastic President. I'm a union man and I know I've been to rant oabout Dick's labor record in other threads, but let me just say this guy has basically laid down on the railroad tacks for us and we are so thankful for him. It's one thing to be a congressman with a good labor record, but it's another thing to be a Congressional leaders with one. Him and David Bonior were awesome. Both are still so loved. Too bad that Governor thing didnt work out.

Gephardt has been consistent. He led the way against unfair trade proposals like NAFTA, China PNTR, Fast Track 1997, Fast Track 2002, and even the pending CAFTA and FTAA agreements. If elected, I know he'd veto both of those if passed under his watch.

Dick Gephardt is also up to a a good fight. Just ask Newt Gingrich. I've heard Newt call Dick Gephardt one of the greatest obstructionists in legislative history. That my friends is a blessing when you consider what Newt and his cronies were trying to do to this country. Seriously, their social agenda had goals of setting this country back 40 years. Gephardt fought that scum tooth and nail and cut into his sizable majorities ever year since, except 2002. 2002 was an anomoly thanks to a President who used the politicized and used the emotions of 9/11 and patriotism to his advantage. Damn that Karl Rove!

Don't for a minute underestimate the Gep. He'd also be exceptionally strong the the so called battleground states, because of his union ties and midwestern roots. The people in my union just feel like he is one of us. he grew up our type of neighborhoods.

in the end we are all pushing toward the same goal. a bush-less white house on Jan 20, 2005. But trust me a Gephardt administration would be just fine

[tlb]

6. Gephardt is the sleeper.

While the spotlight is on Dean and Kerry, Gephardt is quietly placing himself in a very strong position.

Coupled with the DNC/DLC hostility to the leftist candidates, I believe this support will get Gephardt the nomination.