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Pro-Clinton Unions Continue Full-Steam Ahead

May 12, 2008 4:18 PM

Officials from four labor unions that endorsed Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-NY, say they will continue to lobby for her candidacy regardless of the daunting delegate math. One union is even hoping Clinton takes her battle against Sen. Barack Obama, D-Illinois, all the way to the floor of the Democratic National Convention in August.

Rick Sloan, communications director for the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers says the union is rallying its members to support Clinton in West Virginia, Kentucky, and Oregon.

"We're not slackening off at all -- this is full speed ahead for us," he says. "We deal with really high tolerances building jets. Usually when we reach those tolerances we say, 'This is terrific, this is quite a piece of work.'"

Sloan was a member of the platform committee and an at-large delegate for Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., on the floor of the 1980 Democratic convention, the last time there was a convention fight.

"Only 979 delegates separated (then-President Jimmy) Carter and Kennedy," Sloan says. So the smaller number separating Clinton and Obama -- right this second a rough ABC Count has a 180-delegate lead for Obama -- "isn't a big swing. And none of these delegates are legally bound. She has 17 million votes, he has 17 million votes. The proper place to decide this is the convention."

ABC News contacted the four unions today to assess whether they would continue to spend union dues on a campaign many in the punditocracy have pointed towards a statue of St. Jude.

"We continue to support Sen. Clinton," says AFSCME's Gregory King. "We're going to continue to campaign full-steam ahead."

AFSCME had about 100 people each campaigning for Clinton in Pennsylvania and Indiana going door to door. "I presume we're just continuing with that," King says. "As long as she's the candidate our union is committed to supporting her."

Chuck Porcari of the American Federation of Teachers says "we're running our program in West Virginia, Kentucky, and Oregon as we speak, member-to-member phone and mail, and door-knocking."

Tim Stricker, political director of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades says his union is quite active in West Virginia and Kentucky, and will be in Oregon. "Of the other three remaining states," he says of Puerto Rico, Montana, and South Dakota, "we have practically no membership there."

Sticker says the IUPAT staffing isn't as big in West Virginia and Kentucky as it was in Indiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, but that's only because "her numbers in both states make it safe enough we didn't have to go full-bore. If we're asked by the campaign to send some people in, we will, though right now I haven't been asked by the campaign to do that."

"She's our candidate and we're with her until Barack is officially the candidate or if she releases us," he says. "I'm sure there's a lot of our members who think it's a lost cause. I'm sure if you polled it there'd be a number who said you're wasting your time and efforts and money." But between 16,000 and 20,000 members of the IUPAT voted for Clinton by ballot, by a margin of four-to-one, so the union will stay with the date that brung them to the dance.

"Does it look like it's an extreme long shot right now?" Stricker asks. "Yes. But stranger things have happened. One thing I've learned in the short time I've been in Washington, DC, is never count out the Clintons."

- jpt

May 12, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (87)

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Until we have a candidate that has reached 2,225 (including MI and FL), we don't have a legitimate nominee.

Please, please take it to the convention....save the democrats from themselves and a disastrous GE.

Posted by: United | May 13, 2008 11:12:58 AM

One of Obama's supporter's explained the
reason the poll numbers are so lopp-
sided in West Virginia is the people
"don't know much about him", uuh? He's
running commercials 2 to her one. And,
he's only been there once. So? Excuses.
These, are the same type of people
that David Axlerod claimed weren't need-
ed, Donna Brazile claimed there's a "new
coalition" in the party.
So, what happens to rest of us...we've
been there for years, we're now expend-
able? I think not!
Bob Barr may attract alot of unexpected
votes! We shall see.

Posted by: Raven | May 13, 2008 11:09:23 AM

The latest SNL has it exactly correct about her.

Posted by: Reality | May 13, 2008 10:53:37 AM

OK, the man cannot even tell you how many states are in america! Obama said 57 states 57! Please america understand that he will destroy are country! LOVE HER OR HATE SHE IS BETTER THAN OBAMA ANY DAY! He said that he would have his advisors take care of the economy because he didn't do that well in economics! Hope please help us!!!!!!!

Posted by: christy | May 13, 2008 10:27:03 AM

Hoffa, where has Obama shown he is smarter. Where is the proof he can change things. His community organizing? Look at these areas in Chicago. If he can't change his state, how can he change Washington. I have heard "change and work across party aisles" in every election I have ever seen. And I am 60 years old now. I have seen many. If you have such a good argument for Obama than show me the proof that he is the better candidate. Even Chris Matthews let it slip last night that Clinton could run again, comparing her to Reagan when he lost the nomination. Chris said everybody knew that year that Reagan was the best candidate. SHOW ME THE PROOF OBAMA IS THE BETTER CANDIDATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: diana | May 13, 2008 10:23:44 AM

We support Hillary. If she is not the nominee, then we will vote in the general election by writing in her name. Barack Obama has gotten away with too much. My family and I would never vote for him.

He can't even get through a debate without sticking his foot in his mouth. His "present" votes are a huge concern. He has run a below-the-radar negative campaign since the start of his campaign by attacking Hillary's character. Hillary has better plans and proposals, so Obama goes right for the jugular by sending out hundreds of mailers and emails calling her dishonest.

No thanks to Obama.

Hillary all the way.

Posted by: Cassandra Speers | May 13, 2008 10:11:31 AM

For Obama to come show his face here in Florida, is a slap in the face to all the millions of voters who's votes are being disenfranchised because of him. I hope people will protest when he come here. He has no respect for the voters of Florida and Michigan. No way will he get my support in November. I will not support him, when he and the DNC has done everything to stop the votes from counting here in Florida and Michigan. They want to win their way at all cost. He will be an illegitimate nominee. I'm also disgusted with how the DNC has alienated, and disrespected Hillary and her supporters. The DNC has not shown the same kind of support to democrats voters who are supporting Hillary. They seem to have nominated Obama since the beginning of this election, and they just don't care about the other half of the democrat party. If they think they can win in November without Hillary's supporters, I say NO WAY! I can hear the media in November, saying "and the projected winner for president of the United States is John McCain"! Blame it on the DNC to loose in November.

Posted by: nina | May 13, 2008 8:52:55 AM

Posted by: Elizabeth Lora | May 13, 2008 4:34:01 AM

thanks! i plan on leaving the party regardless. i am toatally disgusted with the party elders and they way they have tried to direct/shape this campaign. the idea that they would endorse a man of such questionable character for our nominee for president, frankly disgusts me. how dare they!
i will be registering unaffiliated, and look forward to a viable third party to emerge. would be too cool if hillary jumped to a third party candidate. now that would rock the party!!!

Posted by: rrt | May 13, 2008 4:52:56 AM

I'm so happy to read such positive things about Hillary because you never do on TV or in the newspapers.The media is playing a psychological game, they want everybody to think the race is over but it isn't by a long shot and I'm glad Hillary is fighting. I've been making calls for her in every state since January and there are a lot of people that really like her and feel that she would be the best president. If the Democratic Party continues to treat her like this, I will quit the Democratic Party. If Hillary is not the nominee I will vote for McCain. I will never vote for Obama. I have done a lot of research on him and he is a very dangerous man!

Posted by: Elizabeth Lora | May 13, 2008 4:34:01 AM

Posted by: Bretta | May 13, 2008 1:35:14 AM

THANK YOU, BRETTA!!!!!!!!you are the only other person i have seen mention his kenyan citizenship and say it bothers them. i cannot imagine the president of the usa, pledging to uphold our constitution, while he is also beholding to another country!!!
behond me ability to understand.

Posted by: rrt | May 13, 2008 4:28:57 AM

Go Union!

Get Hillary all the way to the White House! I'm glad some people are still showing some common sense.

This is something I sent earlier re some male pundit not getting why people still support Hillary. Maybe this will answer his question.

Why Obama Can't Win and Hillary Clinton Needs To Stay In The Race

1. She is actually the only Democratic candidate still standing who can win the White House in the fall. The arrogant, inexperienced and dissembling Senator Obama is now unelectable. The American Idol phase is officially over.

2. The majority of Sen. Obama's pledged delegate wins occurred in February -- before any media vetting, before Rev. Wright, Auchi, Ayers, bittergate, naftagate and so on. So you can all kiss those voter percentages goodbye. They will not be back in the fall.

3. No one caucuses in a general election. Those results do not represent the voting population accurately because the very nature of caucusing disenfranchises shift workers, policemen, firemen and women, nurses, single parents, poor voters, older or frail voters. To assume they are not enthusiastic in their support of a candidate or knowledgeable about the issues is as elitist a notion as it is false. Check out the differences between the popular vs. caucus results in Texas and Washington State, for example. Sen. Obama also carried red (caucus) states we would never win in November -- Wyoming, anyone?

4. Despite the media narrative, the incessant misogynist drumbeat to get Hillary out, this is still a very close race and a big wins in West Virginia and Kentucky will put Senator Clinton back in the popular vote lead.

5. Super Delegates are not stupid. Unless they are in a suicide pact and want to follow Obama off of a cliff, they will realize he does not have the support in crucial voter demographics to pull this off. Let's look at North Carolina. His win there was actually only about 11-12% -- since thousands of votes were counted twice and pulled back from him. Secondly, he would have been trounced horribly if not for the nearly 40% of Democrats in that state being African American and voting for him as a block.

6. There is no candidate anywhere who can win a general election with only AA support, support of 1/2 the youth and 1/2 the latte liberals. Furthermore, half the 12% of the AA community lives in Republican states which will go red in the fall no matter who is running. And surely no one thinks the "Obamicans" exist anymore after hearing about Rev. Wright and Ayers, etc. They hold their patriotism dear.

7. We know that MSNBC and others are controlled by big business and we are quite aware of your agenda to rid yourselves of the stronger Democratic candidate first. Why else would you be functioning as Senator Obama's own personal PR firm?

8. And most important, Hillary Clinton is actually more than qualified for the job of Commander In Chief -- a pesky fact which is endlessly irritating to Senator Obama, whose voting record, or the lack thereof, and his lack of leadership, make a sham of his rhetoric on the stump. The majority of the Democratic base has figured this out and would like to have someone other than an empty suit to choose from in the fall.

Posted by: Annagain | May 13, 2008 3:22:42 AM

This is one of the few sites where comments are in support of Hillary. I guess the G-Obama haven't got here yet. I was happy with any of the Democratic candidates at first - when I was just getting to know Obama. But now, I know enough to know that he is all about his political ambitions, his father's homeland and his wife's ego. I have heard him say disparaging words against his mother, his grandparents, his paster (who he has called a mentor for 18 years) and Clinton. He is dishonorable and cannot be trusted to lead our nation. Yet, he has the support of many of our leaders and those in the media. Whose interest do they have at heart? It seems more like their own egos - their golden boy has to win at all costs. And, many people go right along with this, biting off a little distasteful and disgraceful part of Obama at a time, chewing it, deciding it "wasn't that bad" and go on fighting for their guy!

I support Hillary 100 percent. And I will not vote for Obama unless he can address his intentions for leading our country in an honest, direct fashion (I don't fall for flattery) and renounce one more thing - his African citizenship. I have a big problem with that one!

Posted by: Bretta | May 13, 2008 1:35:14 AM

The strength and commitment of Hillary's supporters demonstrate that Obama will NOT find us moving toward him should he become the democratic candidate. Obama is WAY too inexperienced to be the leader of the free world. He believes he's more experienced than McCain or Clinton because he's lived in foreign countries.... now THAT shows how naive he actually is. I will not vote for BO. How can he now ask for the votes of Florida and Michigan? What will be the reaction when he goes campaigning in those two states? HE is the one who wouldn't agree to a revote. HE is the one who created the mess that exists today. HE is the one who has trashed the votes and will of all those Americans. HE is not fit to lead. We are fortunate that Hillary has remained strong and positive. SHE is the leader we need. She deserves our support because she is the better candidate - pure and simple.

Posted by: Jon | May 13, 2008 12:25:26 AM

Tessablue,

Good post, thanks.

Posted by: blue Irish | May 12, 2008 11:44:33 PM

Eyes wide open,

Good post.Please, keeps posting it on every blog. Thks

Let her supporters know Hillary is not giving up.
Ignore those bias medias which calling Hillary to quit and keep saying Obama is the nominee.
None of them is the nominee until the convention.

God Bless Hillary.

Posted by: blue Irish | May 12, 2008 11:39:13 PM

Obama supporters suggest that Hillary voters can be brought back into the fold if Obama is the nominee. I think you are underestimating the ill-will that his campaign has engendered among women during his campaign. I began as an Edwards supporter, but after he suspended his campaign, I evaluated the other two candidates and was surprised by what I learned.

Demographically, I fall into the category most often associated with Obama. I have 2 graduate degrees, own my own business, earn 250+K/yr, own a boat, BMW, bought my son a Jaguar, etc.

However, as a decent human being, I find it repellant how Obama AND his supporters have disparaged Hillary Clinton and her supporters. I don't approve of anybody belittling an entire segment of the population because of age, race, gender, education, income...whatever. And, that's what I feel that he and his supporters have done.

Furthermore, I have taught my son to respect others and their opinions; on the other hand, while Obama et al. have asserted that he wants to “bring people together,” he and his minions have been playing the politics of division. I was raised in a family of modest means and grew up with average folks, both black and white, and they exhibited much more class than Obama and his advisors have. Class is really not associated with a certain income, level of education, race, or education; it is how one conducts himself or herself.

Donna Brazile has said that basically the Democratic party doesn't need people like me (a former Hillary supporter). That's fortunate, since they'll have to move on without me.

Posted by: tessablue | May 12, 2008 11:30:07 PM

Obama scares me but more importantly, his wife just horrifies me. Talk about a racist in true form. 10 to 1 that church was hers that she took Obama to Actually since all three candidates are for rewarding illegal immigration and Obama touts that when he gets through many Americans will never have to pay income tax (wonder which ones those lucky people are?) I don't like any of the options. Obama's policies are going to be a further magnet to the poor from other countries to come to the US to live the good life on the backs of the middle class worker who is struggling to remain "middle class." Nope Obama needs to take his policies and church an wife and go to another country where his song doesn't sound so sour.

Posted by: M. Goddard | May 12, 2008 10:06:53 PM

What is all of this meaningless prognosticating of McCain’s chances? He hasn’t made his case yet. So many are saying that because most people are dissatisfied with the way the country is going they will vote for Obama. That is ludicrous, illogical nonsense. I’m dissatisfied with the country’s direction, but I will definitely, if Clinton doesn’t get nominated, vote for McCain. It will be entirely apparent by November that McCain isn’t Bush. McCain was Kerry’s first choice for his Running Mate in 2004! McCain turned him down. Only the young adoring fanatics of Obama do not remember that because they were still in their diapers. McCain is known as the liberal Republican who crosses the isle, unlike Obama who had the opportunity during his short uneventful tenure as Senator, but never did.

I disapprove of Bush, and like many millions of Americans, I will vote for McCain, if Clinton isn’t the Nominee in 2008. I have always voted Democrat, and I am against this war. We are in this war and we need to get out of it, but we need to get out of it in the most honest and sane and humane way. McCain will articulate that way. For Commander in Chief, I would rather vote for McCain than Obama, as will the vast majority of Americans.

McCain will increase the tax cuts for the middle classes – the great majority of us. And by the way, eliminating the gas tax puts $30 to $75 (depending on the gas mileage of your car) in your pocket, but it saves $100’s for truckers, many of whom are struggling and tens of thousands for transport businesses, many which are about to go bust. Almost any product you can think of, the transport costs make up a disproportionate amount in their prices, especially in food and packaging. It will give some relief to the recession that Bush has placed us in with high gas costs. McCain will deal with the corrupt oil companies. Everyone is aware of the increasing costs of food. That’s because of fuel costs – nothing else. Like Bush, Obama is hand in glove with Oil, coal and the nuclear industry. Look at Obama’s donations lists, which also includes lots of medical insurance companies and hospitals. I wonder why?

If Obama wanted a decent and sane Health policy he would have opted for a single payer system. No other system makes any sense. Obama’s health policy is worse than Clinton’s. That’s universally understood in the medical profession. . $5000 tax credit will mean millions will not pay any tax when it’s implemented and it will be implemented before the end of 2 rather than 4 years as will Obama’s half-baked, late in coming, policy. McCain will cut costs as well, and will stamp out price gouging as in the hospital that Obama’s wife is an over-paid vice-president. A hospital actually accused of price gouging poor blacks. Everyone will get the credit. You supplement it if you need to. Health coverage will be affordable for virtually everyone. The very poor already by law receive coverage except in hospitals like the Chicago hospital where Obama’s wife is a vice-president, e.g. one person who died after being denied coverage there because he didn’t have insurance. The hospital was sued because it was against the law, and the poor black family won. Obama’s plan will not cover everyone, Clinton is correct.

McCain will not “stand with Washington’s tried and failed approaches” as the Obama liars state. McCain never has, unlike Obama who has done nothing for his constituents the entire time he was a state senator, except hang out with the likes of slum lords, such as Rezko who froze the butts off his black tenement dwellers in one of the coldest Chicago winters, while during the same winter, entertaining and raising money for Obama, as well as getting money from an Iraqi thug from the Hussein regime (as in Sadam Hussein, not Barack Hussein) to do the real estate deal as a “kick-back” in the form of a mansion for Barry; or like his unrepentant domestic terrorist friends, or his three crazy ass spiritual advisors who hate America as much as Michelle Obama apparently does. And that lot is only the very tip of the iceberg. Now there’s talk of fraud and money laundering and that he still imbibes in the white powder, or even crack. A Crack Head in the White House! What did De Toqueville say?

Obama talks great stuff but offers the dregs, rather like a fast order cook calling himself a chef who creates a great salad, but then serves you a limp piece of lettuce. It’s not what Obama says now in hollow platitudinous sermons, it’s what he said in the past, it’s what Michelle Obama wrote in her graduate thesis and what his friends say in their depraved moments that will be brought out in November and that will enable McCain, without any doubt whatsoever, to have a landslide if Barry Hussein Obama is the nominee. So let’s get real and choose a Democrat that can win in November: Vote for Hillary Clinton! Oh well, maybe, just maybe it’s too late, so …………. it’s McCain by a Landslide!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Joe | May 12, 2008 9:44:57 PM

WEST VIRGINIA AND KENTUCKY

THE TARNISHED PRESS has proven that it's broken.

Although this race is far from over, the media has been playing "taps" for HIllary ever since B O won North Carolina last week.

They choose not to remember that on that very same day, Hillary won Indiana, and that the week before, Hillary won Pennsylvania!

They choose not to tell you that 31,000 votes "FOR OBAMA" were Double counted in North Carolina.... not that it would have made a difference.

They choose not to tell you that 92 percent of black voters pledged for B O in North Carolina... or that 91 percent of black voters in Philadelphia followed the same pattern.

They don't want this to be played up because Obama's followers feel that telling the truth.... is racist.

But it IS appropriate to talk about the little blue dress and sling noxious. venomous off*topics slander at Hillary whenever they want because what THEY'RE doing... is not racist.... just cruel, arrogant, childish.

We all know that Hillary is the better, more seasoned, wiser candidate.

We have watched during the early debates how Obama's plans always mimicked hers. We have watched during the last debate, as Obama, with no one to imitate,appeared literally to be without words!

Hillary, as usual was unflustered and incredible in the depth and knowledge of her reponses.

The press disremembers too many of her achievements.... like procuring health care for 6,000,000 children.

Like bringing to the table a truly UNIVERSAL health care package which even Mrs. John Edwards has praised.

Don't let the brash Barack and the myopic media win.


Hillary needs your help!

She needs your vote!

She won't let you down.

Please don't let HER down!

Thank you, and G-d Bless!


Posted by: eyes wide open | May 12, 2008 9:37:15 PM

Talking about personality and characters, these folks have put Richardson the Judas, Joe the dark Angel to shame.

These are great folks.

Posted by: John_Lai | May 12, 2008 7:50:26 PM

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