For IMMEDIATE RELEASE from AFSCME: AFSCME Endorses Hillary Clinton for President

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.afscme.org/press/16739.cfm

For IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, October 31, 2007
AFSCME Endorses Hillary Clinton for President

Politically Active Union Pledges to Mobilize Volunteer Army for Senator Hillary Clinton in Iowa and Across America

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The 1.4-million-member American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), AFL-CIO, today endorsed New York Senator Hillary Clinton for President of the United States.

“The next president is going to play a critical role in rebuilding America’s middle class and ensuring that everyone shares in our country’s prosperity,” said AFSCME International President Gerald W. McEntee. “President Hillary Clinton will make us stronger at home and respected abroad.”

AFSCME’s International Executive Board voted to endorse Senator Clinton following an extensive 10-month, member-driven endorsement process – including candidate appearances, interviews and membership polls. The union’s polls show that Senator Clinton enjoys deep support among its members.

“We’ve looked at these candidates closely, and we’ve drilled down deep into the union to see who was inspiring our members, who has what it takes to take back the White House and govern effectively when they get there,” McEntee said. “We looked for the candidate who will fight for working families and who has the greatest ability to win, the candidate who will motivate our members to make calls, knock on doors and talk to their co-workers like never before.”

The politically savvy public service union, known for waging grassroots campaigns, is preparing to launch a major effort in the critical early state of Iowa, where it represents more than 30,000 workers.

AFSCME plans to spend more than $60 million on the 2008 campaign, and will mobilize a 40,000-member army of volunteers to elect Senator Clinton.

[yourout]

1. Hillary is far from a friend of the middle class.

I am a bit suprised any union endorses her in the primary.

[Debi]

2. Although this is big for Clinton nationally - AFSCME isn't really batting 1000

here in Iowa. In 2004 AFSCME endorsed Howard Dean. In the 2006 Iowa Democratic Gubernatorial Primary AFSCME endorsed Mike Blouin over Chet Culver (Culver won the primary and went on to win the general election by over 100,000 votes).

If AFSCME members aren't personally behind Clinton the endorsement is just paper and vapor. :shrug:

[democrat2thecore]

3. I am a BIG friend of labor - but this is a POLITICAL joke! {edited}

There are some great friends of labor and the working class in this race, but Hillary is NOT one of them. She is a friend, a part, and a leader of the establishment to lock out, in so many ways, the very people that endorsed her today. I am disgusted!

[dmallind]

4. So which are they?

Are they closet Republicans, paid shills or just going on name recognition?

I think that's the only groups who support Hillary right?