Illinois AFSCME backs Obama, breaks for national endorsement

[Colobo]

Illinois AFSCME backs Obama, breaks for national endorsement

PEORIA, Ill. - The Illinois chapter of the country's major government-employees union broke with its national organization Saturday to endorse Barack Obama for president.

Nationally, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees is backing Hillary Rodham Clinton. But the union's Illinois leaders decided to make their own endorsement.


"It is an unusual step, but we've had a long relationship with Sen. Obama," said Henry Bayer, executive director AFSCME Council 31. "We've had a better opportunity to observe him up close than people in other parts of the country."

Some 400 union delegates meeting in Peoria voted unanimously to support Obama, an Illinois Democrat, AFSCME said.

AFSCME represents about 95,000 active and retired workers in Illinois.

The Illinois chapter is not allowed to offer organized support to Obamas campaign in neighboring Iowa, a key primary state. But Bayer said Illinois members are volunteering for Obama on their own.

He also hopes the Illinois endorsement sways some Iowa voters.

http://www.southernillinoisan.com/articles/2007/12/01/ap-state-il/d8t8t7g02.txt

[AtomicKitten]

1. Nice endorsement.

:)

[Adelante]

2. Goody goody

[Colobo]

3. Viva Obama.

[Colobo]

4. Gobama!