CAN EDWARDS ADD N.H. SEIU NOD AS WELL? ("Right now it appears it might be Edwards," )

[Omaha Steve]

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/10/14/410514.aspx

Posted: Sunday, October 14, 2007 2:11 PM by Chuck Todd

From NBC/NJ's Aswini Anburajan

In his shirt sleeves, while munching on pretzels and sipping a beer, John Edwards laid out his case for why he should win the endorsement of the New Hampshire chapter of the SEIU in Concord Saturday night.

Edwards met with about twenty-five members of the union’s executive board and political education committee to ask for the state union’s endorsement, NBC News has learned. Even though the national SEIU has not endorsed in the race, state chapters are free to do so starting on Monday. On Saturday, NBC News reported that Edwards had won the endorsement of the Iowa state chapter of SEIU.

According to an SEIU member present at the meeting, Edwards was “remarkably open” and told the board how much the endorsement of the Iowa SEIU meant to him. He also said that he expected several more endorsements from other state SEIU chapters as well as a possible endorsement from a state employees union in California.

The former senator from North Carolina pitched himself to the assembled members as the only candidate in the race who says the word “union” in a non-union crowd. He stressed his complete opposition to outsourcing and discussed how Blackwater was an object lesson for the case against military outsourcing. He also took questions on NAFTA, health care and gay marriage.

Edwards contrasted himself with the his two chief rivals in the race calling Senator Clinton a “corporate president” and saying that Senator Obama lacked experience but would make a good vice presidential candidate.

FULL story at link.

[Colobo]

1. Did Edwards hint that Obama might be his VP choice if he gets the nom?

[slick8790]

3. The idea of that ticket makes me

drool in anticipation of the thrashing the repubs would get in '08. And in '12....and in '16...and in '20 :D

[Colobo]

5. It would be beautiful indeed!

[Yael]

8. I like that as well.

I also like a Richardson VP nom, but would be 110% behind either of them.

[Debi]

2. Steve, will you keep a 'scorecard' for the SEIU endorsements across America?

We know that the national endorsement was locked up between Edwards and Obama - it will be interesting to see which states go with each candidate (and if any stray from the two). :hi:

[Omaha Steve]

4. I'll try to keep a list on the labor forum

How do I sneak into the Iowa caucus (in C.B.) to get an idea of how to act for Nebraska's?

OS

[Debi]

6. Ha - you don't have to sneak in - they are open to observers

you just can't participate (it's illegal - if you want I'll get you the law about who can participate).

Since I'm not 100% where you live I don't know the Iowa county you are closest to. If I were you I'd find out who that county chair is and contact them. Tell them you want to participate and they'll connect you with a precinct captain who will explain it all to you. Or, if you know anyone w/in the Edwards camp here in Iowa, get ahold of somebody who is a precinct captain for Edwards and you can attend their caucus with them.

Will Nebraska be doing the viable/non-viable thing or the straw poll (like Iowa republicans)?

PM me if you want, we can figure it out together.

d.

[Omaha Steve]

7. I believe it is straw poll

I'll know more after my next Sarpy County Democrats meeting. Even though Marta and I left Omaha for Bellevue a year ago, I didn't want to change to Bellevue Steve. :-) I'm just a few miles from Council Bluffs.

OS

[Debi]

10. Here's the link to the Pottawattamie County Democratic Party

http://www.pottcountydems.org/

That should get you to who you need to talk with.

[MethuenProgressive]

9. "Edwards’ Labor Pains: SEIU Opts for No Endorsement "

10/9/07, 12:21 am EST

Edwards’ Labor Pains: SEIU Opts for No Endorsement
Sometimes no news is the worst news of all. SEIU, the high-growth service workers’ union, announced today that it won’t make a union-wide endorsement in the Democratic primary.

“Any one of these candidates would help create a new American dream for workers and their families,” said SEIU honcho Anna Burger.

This is a true disapointment for Edwards campaign.

----------------------------------------------------------
The national union sees all the Democrats as being good for working people's families, so they choose not to single one out, but some of the locals are endorsing Edwards anyway?

[Debi]

11. Didn't the national release the locals to endorse their choice?

:shrug:

[Omaha Steve]

12. None of the candidates got the required amount for a national endorsement

It is up to each state to endorse at this time. For a state endorsement, a majority of over 50% of the state's total SEIU members must be reached. All cash and work can only be done inside that state. Illinois can not send $ or people to volunteer etc...