MoveOn and SEIU Endorse Obama

[rjx]

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/b/a/2008/02/01/nov05election-moveon_endorses.DTL


MoveOn may clog up your email box with their latest online pitch, but they dropped a whopper Friday that demands your attention: The 3.2 million-member organization is endorsing Barack Obama for president

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This is the first time that MoveOn has endorsed a candidate in a primary. Their endorsement process is more democratic than most: They poll their membership and promised them they wouldn't back anybody until one candidate had a 2/3 majority. A few weeks ago, they were split. But earlier this week, they surveyed over 200,000 MoveOn members to see if they should endorse, and a big majority agreed.

Their vote Friday delivered an ass-kicking for Obama: 70 percent of MoveOners preferred The O to 30 percent for Hillary Clinton. That's not too surprising, given that the Netroots generally loathe Hill.

More important, it may be the beginning of what we're dubbing here The Silent Edwards Factor. John E. may be silent with his endorsement, but his followers are heading to The O.

As MoveOn czar Eli Pariser said in a note to members Friday "Something big is clearly happening. But with John Edwards bowing out, progressives are coming together."

Answering the obvious question Pariser said: "What does MoveOn's endorsement mean? People-power. Together, we are 3.2 million Americans who care about our country and want change. Half of us live in states with primaries or caucuses this coming "Super Tuesday."

"We know how to roll up our sleeves and win elections, and if we all pitch in together between now and Tuesday, we can help Sen. Obama win the biggest primary day in American history. Think about it: volunteering during the next four days could mean four years of a progressive president."

MoveOn provided a way to volunteer for the O's campaign. Within minutes, more than 1,600 people signed up to volunteer.

Ready for The Silent Edwards Factor, Part II:

Also Friday morning, the California SEIU voted to switch its endorsement from the defunct Edwards camp to The O.

Said Annelle Grajeda, President, SEIU California State Council:

"In light of Sen. John Edwards' decision to end his bid for the presidency, SEIU in California supports Senator Barack Obama for the Democratic presidential nomination.

"The more than 650,000 SEIU members in California are excited by all the candidates and the energy surrounding this election, but believe Senator Obama best advances our vision for a new America united in hope. Obama's pledge to ensure working families have a strong voice, that health care is not a luxury and that our children are given the tools to succeed best represents the values that our members care about. SEIU represents 650,000 workers in California, including nurses, janitors, librarians, homecare workers, security officers, technicians, social workers and others.

The big question: Both these organizations pack a lot of people power, but is there enough time for them to matter on Super Tuesday?

Within minutes, the Republican National Committee pounced on this as an example of Obama scoring the "Liberal Hat Trick." "In The Span Of Five Days, Barack Obama Earned MoveOn.Org Endorsement, Sen. Ted Kennedy's Seal Of Approval, And National Journal's Most Liberal Senator Ranking."

[MethuenProgressive]

1. And the Grateful Dead, too.

[Renew Deal]

2. Isn't the National Journal a right wing outfit?