Isn't that the union that employ's all those illegal's?

"Harry Krause" wrote in message
news:c3dhc2g=.5caa6e9e86ca9a855eae1acb4eb70ae9@106 8149414.cotse.net...
November 6, 2003
Major Labor Union Expected to Endorse Dean
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS



WASHINGTON (AP) -- In a major boost to his campaign, Democrat Howard
Dean is getting a prized presidential endorsement from one of the
nation's largest unions.

The endorsement by the Service Employees International Union, which has
1.6 million members, was being announced Thursday, top union officials
told at least three Democratic campaigns Wednesday night. It was to
follow a meeting of the union's 63-member executive board, campaign
sources said, speaking on the condition of anonymity.

SEIU spokeswoman Sara Howard said Dean was the only candidate being
considered, but the board could decide not to endorse anyone.

``Local leaders who comprise SEIU's executive board will come together
to decide whether the union should endorse,'' she said. ``Until they
vote on that question, any speculation as to the result of that vote is
just that -- speculation.''

But other officials said it was a done deal for Dean, the former Vermont
governor and Democratic front-runner.

In an interview with Associated Press radio, Dean said the endorsement
would be ``a really big boost'' to his campaign, citing the union's size
and diversity. In an appearance on CBS's ``The Early Show,'' Dean said,
``It's going to help our campaign and the Democrats enormously if we
could get that endorsement because it does mean we have a great chance
to take back the White House.''

The endorsement is a blow to Dick Gephardt, who has staked his second
try for the White House on the support of organized labor. In his 27
years in the House, the Missouri congressman has carried labor's banner
on trade legislation and other issues. But for SEIU and other large
service unions, defeating President Bush in next year's election trumps
loyalty.

Backing from SEIU, the largest union under the umbrella of the AFL-CIO,
provides Dean with thousands of crucial ground troops in early primary
states and helps him diversify his campaign. The union represents
janitors, health care workers and other service employees, many of whom
are minorities and women.

SEIU's endorsement also could shake loose support from other unions --
possibly even from its rival, the American Federation of State, County
and Municipal Employees, which has remained neutral so far.

AFSCME's executive board has been summoned to a newly scheduled meeting
for Wednesday to consider an endorsement, a union official told The
Associated Press.

Dean is a major contender for AFSCME's endorsement. John Kerry and
Wesley Clark also are being considered.

AFSCME, with 1.5 million members, previously had targeted early December
for an endorsement but moved up the timetable when the SEIU decided to
act this month.

AFSCME's endorsement is considered the holy grail for Democrats because
the union spends more money on elections than any other. Its president,
Gerald McEntee, was key to Bill Clinton's 1992 campaign success by
providing crucial, early support when other unions were backing Sen. Tom
Harkin of Iowa.

SEIU and AFSCME initially overlooked Dean as a marginal, quirky
candidate from a small state. But that changed as he surged in fund
raising and state polls in key states such as New Hampshire and Iowa and
began attracting large, boisterous crowds.

SEIU has mapped an aggressive, intensive voter mobilization effort for
2004 that includes making 7 million phone calls, distributing 6 million
fliers, visiting 10 million homes and running six mobile action centers
in converted tractor-trailers.

Union officials also plan for 500,000 members to donate to the effort,
totaling $20 million.

SEIU is the largest union in the early primary state of New Hampshire,
with 7,500 members. It also has a large presence in other early primary
states, including Michigan, with 45,000; Wisconsin with 10,000; and
Washington, with 50,000.

In delegate-rich states such as California and New York, SEIU has
530,000 and 350,000 members, respectively.

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"Harry Krause" wrote in message

All of your posts refute your liking illegals. Unless employed as union
workers.