SEIU to Endorse Dean

Read it here.

The SEIU's endorsement, due to be formalized at a Nov. 6 meeting of its 63-person executive board, would shift the labor winds decisively to Dean. He could get an even bigger boost if the 1.3-million member American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees swings behind him. AFSCME President Gerald W. McEntee considered backing Senator John F. Kerry (D-Mass.), then flirted with retired General Wesley Clark. But insiders say Clark's early missteps soured McEntee, who was the first major union leader to back Bill Clinton in 1992 and who wants to play kingmaker again. McEntee was miffed when Clark decided not to campaign actively in Iowa, where AFSCME's 28,000 members spread across all 99 counties could make a crucial difference in the Jan. 19 caucuses.

Yowza.

•  Re: SEIU to Endorse Dean

  That link doesn't work for me, but this one (from Guardian UK) does:

  LINK

  by gabe on Thu Oct 30, 2003 at 01:00:08 PM PDT

•  Re: SEIU to Endorse Dean

  I pointed this out on the open thread, but bigger news is at the bottom of the story:

  Dean could get an even bigger boost if the 1.3-million member American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees swings behind him. AFSCME President Gerald W. McEntee considered backing Senator John F. Kerry, then flirted with retired General Wesley Clark. But insiders say Clark's early missteps soured McEntee, who was the first major union leader to back Bill Clinton in 1992 and who wants to play kingmaker again. McEntee was miffed when Clark decided not to campaign actively in Iowa, where AFSCME's 28,000 members spread across all 99 counties could make a crucial difference in the Jan. 19 caucuses.

  Now, AFSCME is seriously considering Dean, as are several other unions, including the Communications Workers of America and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, insiders say.

  Yeah, it's all insiders and such, but those last three--AFSCME, CWA, and BEW--would be nails in Gep's coffin.  Talk about yowza!

  by folkbum on Thu Oct 30, 2003 at 01:18:43 PM PDT

  •  Re: SEIU to Endorse Dean

    Congratulations Deaniacs, this is huge for you guys.

    by TX Dem in DC on Thu Oct 30, 2003 at 01:28:15 PM PDT

    •  Re: SEIU to Endorse Dean

      That's very gracious of you, thank you!  I'm dancing my happy dance.  But what I really want now is the full endorsement of the CBC.

      by Michael D on Thu Oct 30, 2003 at 01:39:04 PM PDT

      •  Re: SEIU to Endorse Dean

        Didn't we have this discussion before.  You can't get the CBC because other members are already with other candidates.

        by TX Dem in DC on Thu Oct 30, 2003 at 01:44:36 PM PDT

        •  Re: SEIU to Endorse Dean

          Really?  I know Owens and Jackson are with Dean, and I heard a CBC member on Fox after this last debate saying that the CBC could make an endorsement in the next two weeks.  Who have other members endorsed?  The CBC member I saw on Fox specifically mentioned Dean and Clark as group endorsement possibilities.  Has Clark been endorsed by any CBC members?

          by Michael D on Thu Oct 30, 2003 at 01:55:11 PM PDT

          •  Re: SEIU to Endorse Dean

            Charlie Rangel is a Black Puerto Rican.

            by TX Dem in DC on Thu Oct 30, 2003 at 02:03:46 PM PDT

          •  Re: SEIU to Endorse Dean

            I think Rangel (sp?) is backing Clark.

            Also, I don't see how the CBC can endorse a white candidate with Sharpton and Braun still in the race (sort of like NOW endorsed Braun because she's a woman). Imagine the shit-storm that would kick up...started by Sharpton, I imagine!

            New Patriot - It's time for a new patriotism || DFLers.org

            by LFinMN on Thu Oct 30, 2003 at 02:06:11 PM PDT

            •  Re: SEIU to Endorse Dean

              Yes, Rangel did endorse Clark, obviously.  I forgot.  And it was my belief that Sharpton already did start up a shit-storm about CBC members endorsing Dean -- Jackson, Jr. specifically.  I thought Sharpton saw the "writing on the wall" with CBC members saying they were nearing a group endorsement.  But you're right about Rangel.

              by Michael D on Thu Oct 30, 2003 at 02:12:20 PM PDT

        •  Re: SEIU to Endorse Dean

          But AFSCME would be HUGE.  They are a very powerful and politically-active union, especially in the northern tier of states.

          They bring lots of bodies, energy and money to elections.  The other huge point about an AFSCME endorsement is that they had been waiting on Clark to show them something.

          We'll see what happens...

          by Bob Johnson on Thu Oct 30, 2003 at 01:57:28 PM PDT