Gephardt Is Set Back in Bid for A.F.L.-C.I.O. Endorsement

[Snellius]

Representative Richard A. Gephardt's push to win the endorsement of the A.F.L.-C.I.O., which is important to his hopes of winning the Democratic presidential nomination, has been set back by his problems raising money and his low standing in some polls, many union leaders say.

Mr. Gephardt of Missouri has far more individual union endorsements than any of the other eight Democratic candidates. But to win the labor federation's endorsement, he needs the backing of unions representing two-thirds of its 13 million members.
...
Many union leaders question whether Mr. Gephardt can obtain the needed two-thirds majority. Hurting his chances, several union presidents say, is that three of the nation's largest and most politically active unions — the state, county and municipal employees, the Service Employees International Union and the American Federation of Teachers — appear unlikely to endorse Mr. Gephardt any time soon. The state, county and municipal employees are leaning toward Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts, while the service employees and teachers say they are not ready to decide because they are still polling their members. Those unions represent nearly a third of the A.F.L.-C.I.O.'s membership.

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/03/politics/campaigns/03LABO.html