UAW Won't Endorse Presidential Candidates

[pruner]

Friday November 7, 2003 9:31 PM

By JOHN PORRETTO
AP Auto Writer

DETROIT (AP) - The United Auto Workers' executive board will not endorse a candidate in the Democratic presidential primary, instead leaving that decision to its local organizations, the union said Friday.

The UAW, which has 675,000 active members and another 500,000 retirees, decided at its quarterly board meeting in St. Louis to make no recommendation. The executive board's decision frees up the union's community action groups in 11 regions to endorse the candidate of their choice or follow the board in making no endorsement.

UAW President Ron Gettelfinger said the union is not backing a particular candidate because several Democrats would be good choices to run against President Bush.

"UAW members and all of America's working families urgently need a strong alternative to the failed policies of the Bush-Cheney administration,'' he said. "Fortunately, a number of Democratic presidential candidates offer thoughtful, progressive approaches on health care, fair trade, workers' rights, education and other issues.''

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http://www.guardian.co.uk/uslatest/story/0,1282,-3361652,00.html

[Tatiana]

1. Kudos to UAW!

This is the decision I hope my own union, AFSCME, will make as well.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

4. I know a lawyer high up at AFSCME HQ in DC

I am trying to get her to get them to back off Dean. I had a very good discussion with her a couple weeks back on why I believe Kerry is our best shot, and she admitted that electability was the thing they were looking for. Do you really think they can be persuaded off Dean at this point?

[tsipple]

5. No, Probably Not

By all the campaign measures, Dean is attractive to AFSCME.

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

6. the membership seems pretty pro-Dean

getting a bigwig to squash the members would suck pretty bad don't you think?

[pruner]

7. LOL

:donut:

[ShaneGR]

2. Well, this is good, and bad

First off, the power of an endorsement should usually be used by a major union. If a labor-friendly politician like, say Gephardt, can't count on labor to back him when he needs it... what reason should a politician stand up for the union?

The good part is that they save money for the General election.

[Upfront]

3. The Uinons

want a winner this time, and Gep. won't cut it. Smart move.