Reply #11: Why Gephardt? [View All]

[BrewCrew]

sandnsea thanks for the question. Gep's deep union support comes mostly from industrial unions. Why? These unions unlike the service unions of like AFSCME, UCFW, or SEIU have been devastated by this country's deplorable trade policies of the past 15 years or so. That is why you've seen the Teamsters, Machinists, Steelworkers, Laborers, Bricklayers, Boilermakers and etc be quick to endorse Gephardt.

Trade is the main issue of the industrial unions, so I think a lot of unions and union folk have a deep loyalty to Dick because he's been there for them time and time again on trade issues. Not only has he been there, but led the vote against NAFTA, China PNTR, Fast Track 1997, Fast Track 2002, and most recently the Singapore and Chilean Trade agreements. In 1993, Gephardt told Clinton that the implementation of NAFTA would result in a "race to the bottom" where manufacturers would seek out the cheapest labor force available. And you know what? HE WAS RIGHT! Now manufacturers are even moving from Mexico to cheaper labor markets in China and India. It's a "Race to the Bottom" and its killing our industrial unions. I think the Machinists, Steelworkers, and Laborers have lost over a million members combined. It's really a sad situation and show no signs of improving.

Time and time again Congressman Gephardt has been there for the union folk of this country. Now I think they see it as an opportunity to be there for him. Well the industrial unions at least. Now about the AFL-CIO endorsement. Like I said the membership of these industrial unions that have been devastated by our trade policies are losing members, but the service unions are growing. So those loyal to Gep just don't have the pull they had in years past. If this was 1984 or even 1992, Gephardt would have already won their endorsement because the majority of union members then were in industrial unions. So it would be a shock to me if the Gep got the AFL endorsement pre-primary.

Labor hates GW Bush, so I think we'd get enthusastic behind any of these guys, even Lieberman, but with some reservations. Joe is a free trade hawk w/out reservations. Bush is killing labor, but our trade policies adopted under Clinton did a lot of harm also. So I like the industrial unions will be a little wary about any besides Gephardt, because most of these guys (esepcially top-tier) supported NAFTA and/or China PNTR. Don't worry labor will be there for the nominee, Bush must go and unions understand that. We love the Gep he's been there for us and now we see it as the best opportunity to get a REAL GODD FRIEND in the White House. You'd do it for your friend