State by state, a powerful union comes to Edwards' aid

[babylonsister]

State by state, a powerful union comes to Edwards' aid

John Edwards suffered a blow last week when the the Service Employees International Union decided it would make no national endorsement in the fight for the Democratic presidential nomination. But his concerted effort to embrace causes espoused by the labor group -- which represents a wide swath of healthcare workers, as well as janitors, various government employees and others -- has paid off after all.

SEIU leaders at the state level were given free rein to back a candidate, and early today Edwards was rewarded with the nod from the Iowa chapter. Every little bit helps in the state where the nomination battle officially begins, but the union is not exactly a heavy hitter in Iowa -- it boasts only about 2,000 members.

Turns out, though, the move by the Iowans was simply the start of a deluge. This afternoon, SEIU chapters in nine states signed up to help Edwards -- including California (656,000 members), Washington state (103,000 members), Michigan (70,000 members) and Oregon (46,000 members).

Look for a fair number of these folks to be making plane reservations to Des Moines -- the SEIU's national leaders ruled that chapters endorsing the same candidate can join forces on behalf of their choice.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2007/10/state-by-state-.html

[rusty quoin]

1. Now this is significant.

Turns out, though, the move by the Iowans was simply the start of a deluge. This afternoon, SEIU chapters in nine states signed up to help Edwards -- including California (656,000 members), Washington state (103,000 members), Michigan (70,000 members) and Oregon (46,000 members).

[calteacherguy]

2. It's not as if all those union members are going to organize and vote for Edwards.

Unions don't work that way. I doubt this will have a measureable effect on the race.

[babylonsister]

3. Ya know what? Puff off, You'd say anything to shill for Hill. nt

[flyarm]

4. have you seen the SEIU in action during a campaign? If you had you surely wouldn't

be making such a ridiculous statement!

i worked in Kerry's campaign..and the strongest toughest Union support was SEIU..they could not have done more !!

They were incredible..and had offices offered for free from union companies..they were the hardest workers i have ever seen!!

and at rally's ..they could not be missed!

today i am damn proud to call some of the SEIU people i worked with in 2004 ..friends!

I have been a lifelong union member..but my union couldn't come close to the SEIU!!

fly

[calteacherguy]

5. O.K., well, whatever.

They certainly are a small minority of the voting populace, and certainly not every member the union will vote for Edwards, even with the endorsement.

We'll see what happens. I'll be impressed if they can have a big enough impact to save Edwards from defeat in Iowa.

[tkmorris]

6. Dude, here's the problem

You are not objective. If something has the potential to be good for Hillary you say "This is great! It's all over now. Hillary has it sewn up". If something has the potential to be good for another candidate, or bad for Hillary, you say "This doesn't matter at all, I can't believe you guys think this will change anything". Every, single, time.

That's why no one listens to you at all except other Hillary supporters. You are a walking spin machine. There are other posters here who know how to advocate for their candidate while maintaining an even keel. Katzenkavalier springs to mind. You might try being a bit more like them, and less like you are the campaign spokesperson. When you are in that mode no one cares what you say.

When the primary is over we will all be on the same side, at least that's the idea. Try not to be so divisive.

[Lucinda]

7. It's great news and I didn't even hear a blip about it on the tele

Not surprising though.
I swear it seems like most of the MSM are waiting to see how Iowa and NH go, then they will jump on the JE bandwagon and call him the "Come From Behind Kid" when he does well.