Hoffa Tells AP Kerry Is Evolving on Trade

[w4rma]

By LEIGH STROPE, AP Labor Writer

WASHINGTON - The Teamsters, which had snubbed John Kerry for his support for trade agreements, contends that the Democratic front-runner is evolving on the issue and has the best chance of beating President Bush, union President James P. Hoffa said Wednesday.

"He might not be there yet, but I think the more he campaigns, the more he realizes this entire election is going to come down to jobs," Hoffa said in an Associated Press interview. "I think he's moving towards that. Everybody evolves."

Kerry, who recently secured the Teamsters' backing, will get the endorsement of the AFL-CIO at a Thursday meeting of union leaders. They are eager to show a united front headed into November's election after a bruising primary that used millions of labor dollars and exposed deep cracks in the movement.
…
John Edwards, who finished a close second to Kerry on Tuesday in Wisconsin, is "very impressive," Hoffa said. But he lacks what Kerry appears to have — "an electability factor."
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040218/ap_on_el_pr/democrats_labor

[bushalert]

1. Thank Gephardt

Dick Gephardt & Howard Dean in seperate ways helped drive the issue of jobs and international trade. Gephardt was against NAFTA and Dean demanded nations dealing with America to hold similar values regarding worker rights.

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

5. Gephardt and Dean

You're right, and interestingly they came to it from very different places. Honestly I wish both were still in the race.

[corporatewhore]

8. Hello Kucinich!!!!!!

[NewYorkerfromMass]

2. Hoffa just shut up and endorse him

your comments are not helping much.

[revcarol]

3. The leopard changing his spots???

RIIIIGHT!! And I have a bridge...

Mr. DLC, never found a trade agreement that sold out workers and the environment that he didn't approve of...after protesting, of course, before he voted for them.

[waldenx]

4. Kerry will change his position on anything

unfortunately, the ignorant voters are not aware or apathetic of his chronic history of betrayals.

[Freddie Stubbs]

9. All of the candidates have changed their positions on issues

Dean on privatization of Social Security, Gephardt and Kucinich on abortion.

[rucky]

6. soooo, some teamsters are getting upset about the Kerry endorsement

and Hoffa's come forward to cool 'em down.

That's what I read between the lines.

[slinkerwink]

7. on Hardball, Hoffa said that Kerry might agree to drilling in ANWR

I'm not sure if Kerry is going to do this. I hope it isn't true.

[revcarol]

10. What happened to "I will filibuster against ANWR drilling!!"???

Changed his mind on that too?

Now he agrees with BOOSH on ANOTHER ISSUE? Bears close watching.

[waldenx]

11. Kerry will betray anyone

and anything for the right price.

[regnaD kciN]

12. And this is a big surprise...?

Is there any issue on which Kerry's views aren't constantly "evolving"...toward whatever will win him the greatest number of votes?

:grr:

[slinkerwink]

13. and that is precisely why I supported Dean.....

because he didn't compromise his values to get endorsements.

[Freddie Stubbs]

14. All of the candiates have 'evolved' on at least one issue

Kucincich, for instance, used to be pro-life.