Dean Labor Supporters Wary of Strategy

[isbister]

Howard Dean has some explaining to do to the labor unions that have spent millions supporting a seemingly unstoppable presidential campaign that is now struggling. At the same time, nearly two dozen other unions that backed Dick Gephardt before he dropped out are shopping around for another candidate.

Dean, who doesn't expect to win any of Tuesday's contests, will explain his strategy for staying in the race during meetings later this week with his three labor backers: the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, the Service Employees International Union and the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades.

"I expect frank, honest discussion" about Dean's troubled campaign, "and determining the best course of action going forward," said Sean McGarvey, political director of the painters union. Whether that means shifting or pulling back resources remains to be seen, he said.

Meanwhile, other unions are exploring a political future with John Kerry and John Edwards. Some presidents of unions that endorsed Gephardt are meeting with Edwards in Columbia, S.C., on Tuesday, and with Kerry in Boston on Thursday...

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=694&ncid=703&e=3&u=/ap/20040203/ap_on_el_pr/democrats_labor

[Jivenwail]

1. What about Gore?

What did his endorsement do for Dean? Or not do for Dean? Has Gore had anything to say recently?