In 2004, it can be argued that IAFF's endorsement of John Kerry provided him with the manpower and support he needed to win Iowa (and as a result the nomination).
But this cycle, unions won't decide our nominee.
(find out why in extended)
The HuffPost reports:
Chris Dodd's campaign is set this week to announce a quite major labor endorsement: the International Association of Firefighters, according to a source familiar with the plans.
The endorsement comes as something as a surprise. Labor insiders had expected the union, one of labor's big endorsements, to go with one of the front-runners.
But the Connecticut senator is an old ally, and authored what's probably the most important piece of legislation in a decade for the IAFF: The 2000 FIRE Act, which channels federal money to local fire departments.
Endorsing Kerry in 2004 was a big risk General President Harold Schaitberger took that paid off big.
But supporting Dodd has no potential for upside. Kerry went double or nothing in Iowa, taking a loan on his house and basically moving out there with Ted Kennedy. He rented a Helicopter and barnstormed the state. He used MA politicians to campaign for him in neighboring New Hampshire.
Dodd is at 1% right now, Kerry was more at Richardson's levels and prior to Dean's explosion on the scene, was front runner. Dodd never was a front runner. And although he has pretty good staff, he is running against much stiffer competition than Kerry was in 2004.
The other big unions are unlikely to make a move because of their partial support for Dean was a flop and labor was mostly conquered and divided in Iowa's 2004 caucuses. With Dean and Gephardt snapping up most of the endorsements and attacking each other almost exclusively, Kerry and Edwards "sneaked" in and took the top two spots.
While Hillary is the primary target of attacks like Dean was, it is next to impossible that a Dodd could knock down a Hillary, AND a Obama AND a Edwards, who are all far too strong in Iowa and nationally.
I just don't see how labor can play a big role in this nomination and have chits to cash in at this point, but I am happy to be convinced otherwise.