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Obama: We need a Democrat Who Doesn't "Choke on the Word 'Union'"
September 17, 2007 7:29 PM
ABC News' Jonathan Greenberger reports: Sen. Barack Obama told union members gathered today at a conference in Washington that they have to be wary of nominating a Democratic candidate who isn’t a true union supporter.
"It’s time we had a Democratic nominee after the primary who doesn’t choke saying the word ‘union,’" said Obama at the Service Employees International Union’s political action conference. "It’s time we had a Democratic president who said the word ‘union’ once in a while."
Obama’s comment appeared to be a swipe at former President Clinton, whose leadership in passing the North American Free Trade Agreement caused a rift with organized labor. Sen. John Kerry and Vice President Al Gore, the Democrats’ last two nominees for president, both had strong ties to this traditionally Democratic constituency.
Obama has had his own troubles with organized labor as a presidential candidate. Key union endorsements have recently been granted to rival candidates John Edwards, Chris Dodd, and Hillary Clinton – not Obama. And after speaking before a gathering of the International Association of Fire Fighters in March, members of the union were widely quoted giving Obama only lukewarm reviews.
When asked to explain Obama’s remarks today, his campaign did not comment.
September 17, 2007 in Tancredo, Tom | Permalink | User Comments (7)
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We see the judgment of the IAFF, endorsing Dodd.
Posted by: stephen | Sep 17, 2007 8:34:07 PM
Another straw man, courtesy of Sen. Obama. Sen. Clinton is a longtime union booster, enjoys good relations with most unions, and has received several endorsements from unions. She addresses worker issues frequently and boasts one of the most pro-union voting records in the Senate. Why does Sen. Obama pretend otherwise? If he knows something about Sen. Clinton's relationship with unions that I don't, the honest thing to do would be to state it outright instead of taking veiled and snarky swipes at her with absolutely no evidence to back them up. Is all of this some part of the new "politics of hope" that I just don't understand?
Posted by: dawn | Sep 17, 2007 9:30:07 PM
I think mr obama has shown an encouraging image via this issue and there is no need of voting for somebody who ignores the role of the union as far as these campaigns are concerned.Remember that divided we fall united we stand so these unions are the only way to prosperity and i think that's the major reason as to why mr obama even became asenator.So iam calling upon the democratic union to donot make any mistake in these coming primaries do not even think about it to vote for those who under estimates the democratic union and we need to comprehend only those who acknowledges the role of unions in the presidential race.
Lwanga
Posted by: eliazali | Sep 18, 2007 3:23:01 AM
Barak might be disappointed when John Edwards starts using "union" in every sentence. However, Obama knows that this will get under Hillary's skin. That's all he needs to do. He has more money than Hillary and he can take her on for the long haul. All of these primary candidates are going to force each other back to the center sooner. I think that the worst partisan attacks may have subsided. Here comes the personal attacks.
Posted by: Sean O'Brien | Sep 18, 2007 12:29:51 PM
Is it just me or does anyone else get confused when they hear the names OSAMA and OBAMA?? I always need to stop and think for a second which one they are talking about.. I do not think this is the greatest name for a U.S president. Maybe someone should make a name change???
Posted by: elly | Sep 18, 2007 1:01:23 PM
Ug. I like unions, but not Big Unions. They are worse than corporations. My wife has worked as a schoolteacher for fifteen years and the NEA takes money from her and right into the pockets of Democrat politicians and we both hate the idea! There's got to be something illegal about that. And the union doesn't even help her-- it keeps her wages DOWN to line their pockets! On the other hand, my carpenter's union works just fine--- it's small, it refuses to deal with the AFL-CIO crooks, and we have good-paying, American jobs and good relations with our companies. Anyways, the SEIU is a bunch of commies who support illegal immigration. I hate it. We need old-fashioned unions that are responsible. None of this Big Union baloney.
Posted by: Mike | Sep 18, 2007 1:36:08 PM
We need a president, and a Congress, who won't choke on the word "Victory."
Posted by: how 'bout this? | Sep 19, 2007 3:03:40 PM
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