Obama to receive big union support

[mndemocrat_29]

Here's the article from Roll Call:

Just as the Service Employees International Union and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees endorsed Dean's bid for the Democratic presidential nomination Wednesday, SEIU is expected to announce its support for Obama on Monday. AFSCME is considered highly likely to follow suit in January.

The American Federation of Teachers, the second largest teachers' union in Illinois, representing 90,000 educators, endorsed Obama last week. Taken alone, garnering endorsements from two of the largest and most powerful unions under the umbrella of the AFL-CIO is a noteworthy feat. But in the context of both the presidential and Illinois Senate races, the combined support of the two rival unions is also viewed as a blow to Dean's and Obama's opponents, who had counted on the support of organized labor.

Much like Rep. Richard Gephardt (D-Mo.), who has staked his presidential bid on the support of labor in key states like Iowa, Illinois Comptroller Dan Hynes (D) is also counting on the support of labor to help push his Senate bid over the top.

Here's the link:

http://www.rollcall.com/pub/49_53/politics/3595-1.html

[La_Serpiente]

1. THANK HEAVENS!!!

I am not from Illinois, but I really want him in the Senate. It's about time we have a Black Senator in the Democratic party. I know CMB was there, but she was voted out.

[XNASA]

2. It's really getting interesting here.

You can't flip to a local channel here in Chicago without seeing an ad for Hull. And now this, Obama and Hynes competing for union endorsements.

I hope that Obama does well. He really deserves to be the next Senator from the State of Illinois.

But no matter how you slice it, after the next election, Illinois will have 2 Dem Senators, I'm sure.

[mndemocrat_29]

3. What about Maria Pappas?

I've heard that she has some big support from Chicago. Does she have the support of the Daley brothers, or does somebody else?

[Doomsayer13]

4. Daley's are neutral

though behind the scenes they are pulling for Hull. Daley's son works with Hull, so that might help Hull in the primary. Gov. Blagojevich is an ally of Hull's since his run for Governor, and is also doing what he can to aide him.

Pappas has big support in Cook County, Illinois's major Democratic stronghold, where she is the treasurer. She's a fine lady, and would make a good Senator.

Obama's base of support is also Chicago, among the black population which has had a great say in who gets nominated statewide for the Democrats. He's a good man and has a fantastic record in the state senate. He would make a superb senator.

Hynes is the only candidate that's positioned outside of Chicago, and probably is the best posititioned because he's been elected statewide. Also, another superb candidate.

I'm not registered in Illinois anymore, but I can see that if we pick up this senate seat with any of the candidates, not only would they be a vast improvement over Peter Fitzgerald, they'd also make fine Senators.

[mndemocrat_29]

5. Thanks for the info!

n/t