Edwards wins hearts of state Democrats (red state Oklahoma)

[Omaha Steve]

http://newsok.com/article/3151584/1192763529

By Michael McNutt
Capitol Bureau

Democratic presidential hopeful John Edwards — running third in most national polls — won the endorsement Thursday of the state's labor commissioner and a Tulsa-based union.

Labor Commissioner Lloyd Fields, the first statewide elected Democratic officeholder to endorse Edwards, said the former North Carolina senator connects with most Oklahomans and will win the state's Feb. 5 Democratic primary.

Polling figures he's seen show in Oklahoma, Edwards is ahead of U.S. Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York and Barak Obama of Illinois.

"Oklahoma — John Edwards will win hands-down,” Fields said.

Appearing with Fields, members of Transport Workers Union Local 514, which with about 10,000 active and retired members is the largest local in the state, announced its endorsement of Edwards during a state Capitol news conference. The union mostly represents ground personnel for American Airlines.

"John understands working-family issues,” said Mike McDonald, vice president of the Tulsa-based union chapter.

Broad support
House Democratic leader Danny Morgan said a majority of the 44 Democratic House members show support for Edwards.

Edwards is the only presidential contender to call House Democratic leaders regularly, said Morgan, D-Prague.

[OKNancy]

1. In the last Demo primary here, he was endorsed by the God

of football... Barry Switzer, and of course finished a very close second to Wes Clark.
Edwards has a strong base of support here. I like him very much.