Trade unions back Clinton, Huckabee, Edwards

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Reuters

By John Whitesides, Political Correspondent

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - One of the biggest U.S. trade unions made an unusual dual presidential endorsement of Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Mike Huckabee on Thursday, while Democrat John Edwards won the 2008 backing of the carpenters' union.

For Edwards, a former North Carolina senator and 2004 vice presidential nominee, the support of the 520,000-member United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners was a breakthrough after months of careful courting of organized labor.

"Our endorsement is based on the senator's outspoken support for all of organized labor and his focus on America's working families," Carpenters President Douglas McCarron said in a statement.

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, which has about 720,000 active and retired members, backed a candidate from each party for the first time after a recent survey found about one-third of union members voted Republican and two-thirds Democratic.

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSN3044334620070830?&src=083007_1715_DOUBLEFEATURE_va._techs_response

[democrat2thecore]

1. Huckabee's economic populism is appealing to labor

The powers-that-be in the Republican Party would NEVER let Huckabee win the nomination, even with his social conservatism. But honestly, Huckabee's social conservatism comes from his honest beliefs, religious background, etc. It's not political expediency. I can respect that - no matter how much I disagree with it.

[TwilightGardener]

2. He's a warmongering, pandering asshole. He'll say anything to

get people to look at him.

[democrat2thecore]

4. You mean - he's a POLITICIAN?!?! -nt

[TwilightGardener]

5. No, I mean he's the worst sort of calculating phony. Right up there with Mittens, but

just comes off more down-home friendly.

[benny05]

3. Steelworkers to Endorse Edwards

Edwards is expected to appear with United Steelworkers president Leo Gerard at a 9 a.m. rally at the Mellon Arena, the kickoff site for the city's annual Labor Day Parade.

Pittsburgh Post Gazette:
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07242/813519-100.stm

Clearly, this is a major win for the Edwards campaign.

[WCGreen]

6. This is cool since the Unions supply a lot of feet on the ground

come election days...