Clinton And Sanders Are Wooing Organized Labor, But Don't Expect An Endorsement Yet - HuffPo

[WillyT]

Clinton And Sanders Are Wooing Organized Labor, But Don't Expect An Endorsement Yet
Seekers of the Democratic nomination -- and, uh, Mike Huckabee -- are trying to win over the AFL-CIO this week.
Dave Jamieson - HuffPo
Posted: 07/29/2015 07:03 PM EDT

<snip>

SILVER SPRING, Md. -- Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) presented themselves to the executive council of the AFL-CIO labor federation here Wednesday afternoon, ready to field questions on the president's mammoth trade deal, the prospect of a $15 minimum wage and other pressing issues for labor unions. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and former Virginia Sen. Jim Webb (D) plan to do the same.

Their goal, of course, is to win the backing of organized labor's premiere body as they seek the presidency next year. Sanders' recent surge in the polls has prompted talk that the AFL-CIO would delay a likely endorsement of Clinton, deemed the presumptive Democratic nominee, out of concern over her stance on the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

But if history is any indication, no candidate should expect the labor federation's endorsement unless he or she can all but lock up the party's nomination first.

"It's really rare that it happens," said Steve Rosenthal, former political director at the AFL-CIO and longtime Democratic strategist. "For people to assume that Secretary Clinton would win an AFL-CIO endorsement, certainly this early -- it would be quite extraordinary from a historical perspective." 

The only endorsements by the federation Rosenthal could recall during a still-contested primary, he said, were for then-Vice President Al Gore in 1999 and former Vice President Walter Mondale in 1983. Both of those endorsements came in October of their respective years.

Unions remain a pillar of the Democratic base and the AFL-CIO's support lends critical infrastructure to any general election campaign. A candidate must round up the clear support of the federation's executive council and its general board in order to get the federation's official backing. And council members, of course, must answer to their own union members, many of whom, like the general public, are split at this point over their choice for 2016.

"It's a very high bar," Rosenthal said of an endorsement. "It shouldn't be seen as this low-hanging fruit."

Larry Cohen, a former president of the Communications Workers of America union, gave an even blunter assessment of the AFL-CIO's likelihood to throw its weight behind a candidate before the nomination appears settled. 

"I don't expect an AFL-CIO endorsement," said Cohen, a former member of the federation's executive board who's now actively campaigning on behalf of Sanders. "I think what's key is for union members to be active."

<snip>

More: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/clinton-sanders-organized-labor-endorsement_55b94764e4b095423d0dc41b

[HFRN]

1. I think they're more interested in competing for the John Edwards endorsement nt

[Fawke Em]

2. Anecdotal, of course, but I've heard from several union friends throughout

the country that most unions have Bernie stuff up all over their halls.

[WillyT]

3. Great Info... Thank You !!!

[Fawke Em]

5. Went to find this quote for you:

"I think Bernie Sanders has already won. All I see is his posters all over the (union hall - my retraction)."

[udbcrzy2]

4. Brothers and Sisters

He is always addressing the crowd like that, but I'm not sure if the younger ones know exactly what he means.

[Fawke Em]

6. I live in the South.

A lot of them think it is religious. LOL.

[WillyT]

7. We Need To Teach 'Em... Never Let 'Em Forget...

DULink: http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002755708