It's A Bird, It's A Plane, It's ... SEIU
SEIU voted last night "overwhelmingly" to endorse Barack Obama, a big get for the IL sen in the lead up to the next round of contests in states -- OH and PA especially -- with strong union chapters.
The group's president, Andy Stern, and Anna Burger, its secretary-treasurer, indicated this afternoon on a call with reporters that despite the close contest on the Democratic side, their leaders felt that the group's endorsement might help the party avoid a convention fight for the nom. With John Edwards out of the race -- the North Carolina senator had loyal support within the group that kept the organization from endorsing -- the choice became clear.
Stern said Obama, a former community organizer, has been a friend to unions over the course of his career. More broadly, he said, the union is endorsing because they recognize in Obama the ability to attract a broad and deep coalition of voters.
"It’s about the right person at the right time," Stern said. "We think this is a moment that’s an opportunity for fundamental change in this country."
SEIU has 1.9M members in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico and is the largest union representing health care and property services workers in the country. Stern said the group has 150k members in the upcoming primary contests, adding that WI, OH, PA, RI, TX and OR have strong chapters.
Burger said the group will be "on the ground, on the air, (and) in the streets" working for the senator in states where it can "make a difference."
The New York chapter -- out of loyalty to Hillary Clinton -- abstained from voting.
"We have an enormous amount of respect for Sen. Clinton and appreciate so much what she’s done for us," Stern said.
(JENNIFER SKALKA)
What a bunch of junk. I think the primary season and the last eight years have shown SEIU and other DC-based, special interest unions are irrelevant to the outcomes. SEIU thinking their endorsement is going to somehow avoid a fight in Denver is as ridiculous as it is self-righteous.
Union members should stop sending their checks to their "leaders" sitting in conference rooms in Washington, DC and spend it on food and health care for their children.