Behind The Scenes At The SEIU Executive Meeting

Points made by Service Employees International Union members and ex-com members about this weekend's in-person interviews with the Democratic presidential candidates:

1. Sen. Barack Obama was regarded as the most impressive, both in terms of substance and style. Then again, many members were meeting him for the first time.

2. Sen. Hillary Clinton and Sen. John Edwards came off well. Both stressed their desire for a fast march to universal health care coverage, rather than an incremental amble. Clinton reminded members that she sponsored a bill to tie Congressional salary increases to the minimum wage. Edwards reminded members that he'd campaign in more than a half dozen states for minimum wage ballot initiatives, and called universal health care an urgent priority. Clinton came off as "personable" and "engaging," which impressed members.

A senior SEIU official said Edwards made clear that he has "grown" as a candidate and learned lessons from his last run.

3. Sen. Joe Biden, according to two participants, was "long-winded."

4. Members and officials made it clear that a national SEIU endorsement isn't a sure thing. The process will take at least six more months and an endorsement decision wouldn't be made until Sept. '07. These officials said they also planned to consult with their Republican members and reach out to Republican presidential candidates as well.

MyDD's Matt Stoller is on the campaign trail with SEIU president Andy Stern, who is asking every presidential candidate seeking SEIU's endorsement to spend a day working the job of an SEIU member. [RIKI PARIKH AND MARC AMBINDER]