So, does Geps withdrawl put the unions in play

[ajacobson]

or do they sit on the sidelines until the convention?

Are suitors from each of the campaigns, flowers and candy in hand, camping out in front of the Marble Palace in WDC? (Teamsters headquarters) Heh.

I imagine the UAW is feeling smug right now, they knew it was too early to make an endorsement.

[blm]

1. Post 9-11 the most powerful union was always going to be the Fire Fighters

They chose Kerry. They are the powerplayers. They will help defeat Bush. They are the photo op Bush's 200 million dollars CANNOT buy.

[Gman]

3. Even before 9/11

everyone knows the IAFF works harder and is more effective than just about any other union.

[blm]

12. True. It's the influence on the public

that will be even MORE significant than ever this year.

They have a discipline and spirit that is almost unmatched.

[Gman]

2. Yeah, they're back in play again

at least those that endorsed Gephardt.

I'm wondering how AFSCME is taking Dean's poor showing in IA. AFSCME's leadership is known for going out on a limb despite the wishes of the membership. They're out on a limb with Dean after last night.

[liberalnurse]

5. I see that alliance as quite safe.

They would never concider Clark, that I know for sure. I work with AFSCME members...They would rather vote *bush than Clark.

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

6. AFSCME would rather vote for Bush than Clark?

On what grounds? The DHS was the biggest attack on AFSCME in modern history?

[liberalnurse]

7. Back in 2000, they voted *bush for the NRA issues.

Secondly, the public service members I know, police and correction officers in Ohio,all share essentially their distrust in Clark, saying he isn't a democrat but and they know what *bush is, and rather stick it out with a known republican.

Like I said, many crossed over in 2000 due to gun issues thus had voted for *bush.

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

8. AFSCME endorsed Bush over Gore in 2000???

Because of the NRA? Are we both talking about the Association of Federal, State, County, and Municipal Employees here???

[liberalnurse]

10. Yes.....

County Sheriffs, City Police and State of Ohio Correction Officers....voted *bush for the guns/NRA issue. I was working in corrections as a nurse by contract for the State of Ohio and employed at the local Workhouse in Dayton.


All AFSCME Union employees.

[KittyWampus]

13. Wrong. Clark Was Their First Choice But Had To Go With Dean

cause Clark wasn't in Iowa.

Nice try though.

[BOHICA06]

4. Not in, but how....

the double wammy in Iowa puts the Unions in the same category as Gore, Bradley, and Braun. The question is how are they going to regain relevance and matter again? Do they actually bring weight and votes when they endorse a candidate?

The answer from yesterday was, NO!

[blm]

9. The unions were played just like most everyone else.

AFSCME head was early on saying he thought Kerry was the man to beat Bush. The media ignoring Kerry and giving all the media oxygen to Dean combined with Dean taking advantage of the antiwar organizations and the meetups made McEntee doubt his first instincts.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

11. Yes.

They need to get back in it and show they can deliver for SOMEONE, or they will just end up marginalized.

[LuminousX]

14. If Kucinich was smart, he'd be all over them