Obama, the 'presumptive' nominee?
Posted: Tuesday, May 06, 2008 11:48 PM by Mark Murray
From NBC's Mark Murray
The powerful Service Employees International Union (SEIU), which is backing Obama, just issued a press release calling Obama the "presumptive" Democratic nominee.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
OBAMA: CLEARLY THE PRESUMPTIVE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE
SEIU Calls for Democrats to Unite Around Obama
"Senator Obama's commanding win in North Carolina and close showing in Indiana means he is clearly the Democratic nominee for President," said Anna Burger, SEIU Secretary-Treasurer. "We've had a long process and the outcome is now clear. The Democratic Party should come together to focus on winning in November."
In addition to Obama's victory, SEIU members celebrated the primary win of Rep. André Carson in Indiana's 7th district and were closely watching the outcome for Jill Long Thompson in the race for Governor. Health care workers, janitors and child care workers and other SEIU members volunteered their time in Indiana for weeks to educating and turning out voters for the candidates for their commitment to standing with working families.
With tonight's win for Rep. André Carson, SEIU members have now helped to elect five candidates for Congress of the last five congressional races in which they've participated with a ground and air campaign.
The other candidates are:
- Rep. Niki Tsongas, MA 05
- Donna Edwards, MD 04
- Rep. Bill Foster, IL 14
- Rep. Don Cazayoux, LA 06
"With the latest victories of pro-worker candidates, including those in districts where conservatives have dominated for many years, voters are clearly sending a message that they want change in Washington," said Burger. "With Barack Obama as President, and a pro-worker majority in Congress, working families will finally have a chance to fix our broken health care system and create a new American Dream for all of us."
