Edwards Evening News: Fed Up! Fired Up! (Labor Day Edition)

[jsamuel]

First off, HAPPY LABOR DAY!



1. The United Steelworkers and United Mine Workers of America endorse John Edwards.

2. John Edwards criticized Bush's plan for outsourcing American Highways.

3. John Edwards on Good Morning America.

4. Diary Roundup.



1. Union Endorsements

John Edwards receives the endorsements:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Y8Ktzphz18

In the battle for union workers: Edwards winning

Democratic White House hopeful John Edwards, who has made a strong push for union support on the campaign trail, picked up two major endorsements Monday, making him the leading candidate for labor endorsements in the presidential field.

The United Steelworkers and the United Mine Workers of America announced their support of Edwards at a rally in downtown Pittsburgh this Labor Day. In a statement, Steelworkers president Leo Gerard said, "All of the Democratic candidates in the field share our values, and any one of them would be a major improvement over the current administration. But none of them is a more forceful advocate for those values than John Edwards. Senator Edwards is committed, as he has been throughout his life, to going to bat for everyday Americans and to changing a broken political system that leaves millions of Americans without a voice in their government."

Edwards told the boisterous rally, “America was not built on Wall Street. America was built by steelworkers and mine workers.”

The Steelworkers in endorsement called Edwards the most electable Democrat in the general election. The candidate said on stage, “I am proud of the fact that these great unions are supporting and endorsing me, and that they said, in the endorsement, that John Edwards is the candidate for president who can campaign and win, in Pennsylvania, in Ohio, in West Virginia, all the places in American were we have to be able to compete and win. I will campaign everywhere.”

Steel, Mining Unions Back Edwards

In a statement announcing the Labor Day endorsement, the steel union cited Mr. Edwards’s electability in the general election — a theme his campaign has been pushing as a way to set him apart from top rivals Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama.

“The union movement is not just important for the past, it is crucial to strengthening and growing the middle class in America, crucial to lifting millions of Americans out of poverty,” Mr. Edwards said while visiting a region of the country where the steel and manufacturing businesses have declined.

Wearing blue jeans and a windbreaker displaying the U.S.W. and U.M.W.A. logos, Mr. Edwards spoke for about ten minutes to union members and supporters who gathered outside the Mellon sports arena here. He used the opportunity to highlight his health care plan, trade policies and the issue of safety for mine workers in the wake of the Utah mine disaster.

“I promise you that when I am president of the United States we will not have a mine company executive who is responsible for the safety of mine workers,” he said. “We will have somebody who actually understands what needs to be done to keep workers safe who are toiling in the mines every single day.”

Steve Skvara introducing JRE at the rally:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46UyndYoNsU

More on Steve Skvara on the AFL-CIO blog

When Steve Skvara takes the witness chair Thursday at a congressional hearing on corporate bankruptcy and its impact on workers and retirees, the retired United Steelworkers (USWA) member and active member of the Alliance for Retired Americans will cap off a busy month in the spotlight as the face of our nation's failed health care system.

Change to Win has yet to endorse a candidate, but had this to say about Edwards:

"I think John Edwards has been a very articulate spokesman for working people," said Anna Burger, chairwoman of Change to Win. "He has been willing to stand up and seek justice for workers."

CtW Survey

The American Dream is the most universal expression of the hopes and aspirations of America's workers, regardless of gender, generation, race, ethnicity, or immigration status. The Dream is about recognition for hard work and personal responsibility, not about great wealth or material possessions. It is a set of values that defines America.

At Change to Win, we're working hard to restore the American dream for every working man and woman. By taking this survey, you're helping define what the greatest threats are to the American Dream, and what solutions our nation should pursue to make the American Dream a reality.

2. Edwards criticizes Bush's plan for outsourcing American Highways.

Edwards Statement On Bush's Open Highways Initiative

"Our trade policies should put workers and families first. Opening America's highways to Mexico's long-haul diesel trucks puts American jobs and safety at risk. The Department of Transportation has the power to block the program. I urge them to use it.

"Multinational corporations and their Washington lobbyists greased the way to extend NAFTA onto American highways and streets, without regard for the impact on the environment or on the safety of America’s workers and families. Last month, an audit found that the database used to monitor Mexican drivers with license convictions - known as the '52nd State System' - has failed to record thousands of convictions. Mexican diesel trucks will not be required to meet the stricter emissions standards of states like California."

Under the NAFTA-related open-highways initiative, two Mexican trucking companies are initially expected to participate, with 22 more Mexican trucking companies rolling on American roads within a month. Congress passed a law in May requiring that the Bush administration certify that safety and other reporting systems have been implemented before the borders are opened under the new initiative.

3. John Edwards on Good Morning America

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJZoScw3b1g

John Edwards is also on Nightline tonight.



4. Some good diaries today:

Et tu, CNN?? You Know the Drill... Sawdust, Two by Fours... Rant!! by nannyboz

John Edwards cites "the Poll that Matters" by jamess

Edwards Gets Iconic Union Endorsements w/Analysis by AJ WI

Just back from Labor Day parade in Pittsburgh by jah4168

Steelworkers and Mine Workers Pick Edwards by edgery

Steelworkers Endorse John Edwards for President by Savage

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/9/3/195252/9540

[pioneer111]

1. Great week and Labor Day for Edwards!!

Fed Up! Fired Up! Picture with Edwards by Jeff Swensen from NYT

[jsamuel]

4. thanks for the pic!

[lyonn]

2. The more Edwards speaks the better I like him

He was on c-span yesterday campaigning. He is persuasive and has a way with a live audience. No wonder he is ahead in Iowa, he has spent lots of time there and they must know him well by now. That is a good sign.

He is about to appear on Nightline. Will give my opinion later.

[lyonn]

3. oops, wrong nite for Nightline and Edwards. nt

[ultraist]

5. Edwards has the most Union endorsements

Of any of the candidates.

Labor Unions know he is THE candidate that will fight for workers' rights.

[midnight]

6. That phrase fed up should resonate with many american

voters.

[Catchawave]

7. Nice to see the EENR on DU

Many supporters here would enjoy this daily roundup :D

:kick: