More coalescing around Obama

Posted: Thursday, May 15, 2008 11:20 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: 2008, Edwards, Obama

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
Yesterday, it was Edwards and NARAL; today, a major union. The 600,000-member United Steelworkers union threw its support to Obama. Back in September, the union endorsed Edwards, and its press release today cites Edwards’ endorsement as a reason for supporting Obama.

“Senator Obama’s call for a significant change of direction amounts to far more than a compelling rallying cry," the union writes. "It is buttressed by his record of consistent support for workers, by his call for sweeping changes to our health care system, by his unflinching support for Employee Free Choice, and by his insistence that America’s trade policies must, first and foremost, serve the interests of America’s working families.

“Senator Obama has shown his commitment to working families by proposing significant investments in the future of American manufacturing, in the revitalization of our nation’s infrastructure, and in 21st century clean energy technologies that will lead to significant growth in domestic jobs. He is clearly the candidate who can best lead our nation out of the dark period of economic decline created by the Bush administration’s allegiance to Wall Street profiteering at the expense of worker prosperity.

“We share Senator Obama’s call for significant changes to these bankrupt policies, just as we earlier shared Senator Edwards.’ And all of us, including we hope Senator Clinton for whom we have the utmost respect, must now do everything we can to ensure that Barack Obama is the next President of the United States. Now is the time for contention and division to cease, and for us to unite behind the changes for which Senator Obama and our members are calling.

Here’s the full release:
United Steelworkers Endorse Senator Barack Obama for President
Join John Edwards in Growing Wave of Support

Pittsburgh -- The United Steelworkers today issued the following statement of endorsement of Senator Barack Obama for President:

“When the presidential primary contests began last year, our Union felt strongly that because of Senator John Edwards’s deep commitment to working people and because of our shared beliefs, he deserved our strong endorsement. His belief that unfair trade policies must be changed, his commitment to pass the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) to restore workers’ rights to freely choose workplace representation, and his proposal for universal health care were widely shared by our members.

“Today, by virtue of a unanimous vote of our International Executive Board, we find ourselves once again in agreement with Senator Edwards, this time with his decision last evening to endorse Senator Barack Obama. And thus today, the United Steelworkers enthusiastically endorses Senator Barack Obama to be the next President of the United States.

“Senator Obama’s call for a significant change of direction amounts to far more than a compelling rallying cry. It is buttressed by his record of consistent support for workers, by his call for sweeping changes to our health care system, by his unflinching support for Employee Free Choice, and by his insistence that America’s trade policies must, first and foremost, serve the interests of America’s working families.

“America’s workers cannot afford another four years of rehashed Bush administration policies, another four years in which the National Labor Relations Board shills for corporate misconduct, or another four years of a Secretary of the Treasury who considers it his “job” to bail out Wall Street speculators at the expense of hard working families loosing their homes.

“Nor can those of us who are committed to changing the direction of the country afford any more racial profiling of an election, when either Democratic candidate would be far superior to Senator McCain’s lock-step commitment to four more years of the broken Bush economy and the broken Bush foreign policies.

“We are proud and honored to join Senator Edwards in endorsing Senator Barack Obama to be the next President of the United States. We commit ourselves to working tirelessly for his election and for a new age of cooperation among Democrats, Independents and thoughtful Republicans alike in which working Americans are restored to a place of dignity in society and in the American economy.”

EMAIL THIS

Comments

Let the name-calling and character assassination of the United Steelworkers begin.

In 3...2...1 (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 11:29 AM)

As a union member and a lifelong Democrat I am proud to say I will never vote for obama.

FedUpDem, Washington, DC (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 11:30 AM)

So is it official yet?

vicki, florida (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 11:30 AM)

I would like to thank Kieth Olberman for throwing a little perspective back into my thinking. Last night Kieth devoted the last part of countdown responding to GW's statement that he gave up golf in honor of our brave soldiers in Iraq. Kieth delivered a response directly to Bush that left my wife and I speechless for the rest of the evening. He reminded me what this horrible administration has done to our country and our brave soldiers defending it with no remorse. At this point I really don't care which Dem goes to the GE. Clinton, Obama, Biden, Edwards, The guy down the street with the "no war in Iraq" t-shirt. Somebody, Anybody please help us. Please stop this war. I don't care if gas is 10 dollars a gallon. I don't care if I don't retire with a social security check. I don't care if my job is outsourced to India. All I care about today is that one more life not be taken or destroyed in a country we should never ever have tread on. I suggest that everyone here on the first read forum take a moment and try to watch it. It is posted in the video section today.

Mark,Seattle (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 11:31 AM)

Let's go! Hope this will be a "SUPER" Day for us Obama supporters.

Cindi in Louisiana (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 11:31 AM)

Dear Hillary: Tick Tock, Tick Tock, Tick Tock. That's the sound of time running out.

Sharon in CT (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 11:32 AM)

This is wonderful. Sen. Obama began the rally cry for real change, but it is up to all of us who want a future worth having to do our part and end the madness of the RNC by supporting him as the Democratic nominee once this contest has ended. Thank you USWU!

Lets Get Busy Getting Busy (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 11:32 AM)

We are part of the United Steelworkers union, but my co-workers and I do not support Obama.

This endorsement decision was made by the union management.

Most of us like the Clintons.

Trent, Penn. (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 11:32 AM)

I love how everyone here seems to blame the Republicans for all the ills facing the nation today. The Democrats are the ones in charge of the House and the Senate and are the branches of government responsible for the financial policy of government. I do not see the Democrats doing anything about controlling spending any more than the Republicans so if you want to lay blame then vote your Representative and Senator out of office regardless of their party and vote in a new one.

James, Sacramento, CA (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 11:33 AM)

Yeah Baby, another day another major endorsement. Good to have the Steelworkers on board the winning Obama ticket. Time to give unions the support they need after the war on unions that the repugnant ones have waged against them for decades.

The whole outsourcing concept was nothing but union busting for political gain. The republicans tried to ship off all those good union jobs so they could tear down the unions that so overwhelmingly supported Democrats.

Yes it's good to have the depleted unions backing us Democrats so we can restore some of those good paying union jobs back to the middle class rather than those crappy retail minimum wage jobs they've had to settle for.

Go Obama 08/12!

Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 11:33 AM)

Chucky T and co..

What do you make of this email i got today from Casey & Rendell?

Dear Fellow Democrat,

As we approach the final stretch of what has been the most exciting nomination process in recent history, one thing is for certain: Each of our stellar candidates will be ready to assume the presidency from the first day in office and promises to perform much better than what we've had in this country for the past eight years.

The failed policies of the Bush Administration will be behind us and either Sen. Hillary Clinton or Sen. Barack Obama will be in the White House if we make sure everyone is on board this fall as we muster all of our support and enthusiasm behind the Democratic nominee.

Governor Rendell Senator Casey

While we worked diligently for our respective candidates this past spring in Pennsylvania, we strongly agree that each of us will support the Democratic nominee and will campaign tirelessly across the Commonwealth for him or her. Make no mistake about it, we care deeply about Pennsylvania and the nation. We are mired in an unpopular war that is costing us $12 billion a month and affecting us dramatically at the gas pumps as Pennsylvanians continue to pay astronomical amounts per gallon. We are also staunchly against further tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans while our working families continue to struggle with health care costs or continue to exist without it. And we are ready to begin a new period of economic prosperity in Pennsylvania as Bush and his tired leadership begins to fade.

Unfortunately, a clone of Bush is ready to take his place in Sen. John McCain. We simply cannot afford a third Bush term in McCain. He offers no solutions for Iraq, except to commit to another 100 years, and he flip-flopped on Bush's tax cuts for the wealthiest. John McCain is not the straight talker that he projects himself to be. We won't be fooled by his Double Talk express that has rolled into many of our communities. Instead, we promise to work together to ensure that we don't elect "McSame" this fall.

In fact, we promise to work together to ensure we elect a Democrat.

Now, we need your help. As we move forward as a unified Democratic Party, let us agree that as Democrats we have a responsibility to our state and our nation to work tirelessly for our nominee. We have one million more Democrats than Republicans in Pennsylvania. Apparently, our friends and neighbors feel very strongly about the Democratic Party and have made their voices known by either switching from another party or registering for the first time. That alone should inspire us.

As the top elected officials in Pennsylvania, we promise to lead our troops this fall in a UNIFIED fashion that will bring home another resounding victory for the Keystone State, for our nominee and for our country.

Sincerely,
Governor Edward G. Rendell
Senator Robert P. Casey, Jr.

cd, obamanation (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 11:34 AM)

"NOW THE FUN PART STARTS..."

- Hillary Clinton

Are you having fun yet, Hillary?

JIM WHITTAKER, Hemet, CA (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 11:35 AM)

I read a blog post on Huffington earlier where a woman was explaining why Hillary supporters, more specifically female supporters are so upset. She seemed to say that the way the media and Obama supporters treat Hillary is the cause of their angst in this race. Now, I am a man and can be blind to sexism. I do recognized it at times, but know I could really have no real understanding of how prominent sexism is in America. However, I am a black man, so know how race has been used in this election. Let's call it even!

Anyway, I read it thoroughly and thought about the posts I've read here and elsewhere from supporters of either candidate. Posters, supporting either candidate reference the same news organizations, same news outlets, same articles and take completely different meanings from them.

Maybe Hillary really is in this thing I thought to myself. If half of the electorate is ardently supporting her. She isn't truly mathmatically out of it yet; besides, the rules allow for the expulsion of math. Does she have a claim? If not what is all the hype about. Let's be realistic so that we can move on to the real issues affecting all Americans.

T (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 11:35 AM)

It's time to declare war on executive pay and the abuses of management against labor. The excutive class has gotten all the gains from "Union Buster" Bush's failed economic policies. Now it's time for the Age of Labor to retilt the economic table back towards labor.

Go Obama 08/12!

Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 11:36 AM)

From San Diego up to Maine,
in every mine and mill,
Where working men defend their rights,
it's there you find Joe Hill,
it's there you find Joe Hill!
Joan Baez

Obama/Edwards '08

Gary Schear, Bozeman Montana (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 11:36 AM)

From a previous thread that was arbitrarily closed:

Jerry [[President Bush is right. Obama talking to Iran would be just about the same as us talking Hitler out of invading Poland.]]

Since Iran hasn't threatened to invade anyone, Duhbya's analogy to Hitler not very appropriate. And no, they never threatened to whipe Israel off the map. That's just another neocon lie to get us into another foolish war. Their president Ahmadinejad did say that the Israeli regime would fall (as all governments eventually do), but not that Iran was going to do the pushing.

[[Would just make them look bigger and they would in turn take bigger risks. We can't afford that with a soft guy like Obama.]]

We can't afford another soft-headed guy like McCain right after all the catastrophes resulting from having a similar idiot as president for the past 8 years.

And, by the way, McCain ought to ask his pal convicted felon G. Gordon Liddy how much the Iranians are like Hitler. Liddy is a big fan of Adolph's, so he ought to know.

Houston (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 11:37 AM)

Thank you Steelworkers!! Obama will do us all proud!!

Terry, IN (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 11:37 AM)

May 15, 2008

Senator Barack Obama
Obama for America
P.O. Box 8102
Chicago, IL 60680

Dear Senator Obama,

Since the beginning of last year when all of the Democratic Presidential candidates announced their intentions to seek the Democratic nomination, I have been watching, listening and reading day and night as this contest has unfolded. Initially I was leaning towards John Edwards because of his plans for the country. Then as I started listening to Senator Clinton’s plans I found myself being drawn more in her direction.

While I didn’t really know as much about you as I knew about John Edwards and Senator Clinton, I did go to your website as well as other sources (since I am not a blind follower and I do not ever believe in getting my information from only one source) to learn about you and your plans for the country. Early on I found myself not agreeing with many of your proposals and still being drawn to Senator Clinton.

By the end of January, middle of February of this year I found myself being less and less impressed with you as a candidate and your plans for the country, but I continuously tried to give you the benefit of the doubt as I read and listened to what many of your supporters and surrogates were saying about you. And then I started to read and listen to what your supporters were saying not just about you but about Senator Clinton, former President Bill Clinton, Chelsea Clinton and anyone supporting Senator Clinton.

What I discovered was that I did not like for one minute the things that your supporters were saying and writing about Senator Clinton, the Clinton’s and more importantly, Senator Clinton’s supporters. Every single day that has gone by over the past four and a half months, I have watched myself and many other supporters of Senator Clinton grow angrier and angrier by the minute because of the way your supporters have continuously behaved and insulted Senator Clinton and her supporters.

I have witnessed your supporters and the media for months insult Senator Clinton’s supporters and then talk about how when you become the nominee of the Democratic Party that everyone will just coalesce behind you because that’s what Democrats do. Well I’m here to tell you with all do respect and your campaign and most importantly your supporters that it doesn’t work that way.

Your supporters are some of the most arrogant, rude, hateful and insulting people that I have ever witnessed in my entire lifetime. Your supporters truly believe that like you, they are not just intelligent, but that they are superior in their intelligence compared to anyone who is not supporting you. Your supporters also truly believe that everyone that is supporting Senator Clinton is ignorant, uneducated and poor. I am a white male, 43years of age, I hold a Bachelor of Science in Architecture and a Master of Architecture from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge and I make over 100 thousand dollars a year.

Your supporters have insulted over 15 and ½ million people who have voted in all of the caucus and primaries to date for Senator Clinton, and I’m not counting Florida and Michigan. I know that you, your campaign, your supporters and the media would like to believe that it doesn’t matter, but I’m here to tell you, again with all do respect, that it does.

You can’t insult over 15 and ½ million people month after month after month and then expect that those same people will simply welcome you with open arms, donate their time and their money and most importantly, give you their vote because it doesn’t work that way.

Whatever direction I was leaning in from the beginning and throughout the Primary election, my mind has been made up and you have your nasty, hateful, rude, and arrogant supporters to thank for it. I will not vote for you in November. Senator Clinton, who’s campaign I have volunteered for and have contributed to numerous times, could come to my house and ask me personally to support you and I would tell her respectfully no. Please trust me when I tell you that not only am I not alone in how I feel, but that there are plenty of people in this country who feel the exact same way.

Respectfully,

JB
Charlotte, NC

JB, Charlotte, NC (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 11:38 AM)

Interesting the steel workers endorsement includes a reference to clean energy technologies.

I would like to see us really pursue an energy policy that is different and forward looking. I don't have much faith this one would survive to be more than campaign rhetoric in either an Obama or a McCain Administration, but I'd like to see it.

The basic problem is that the only viable non-carbon fuel source in the near term is nuclear. Hopefully hydrogen fuel cell technology comes along, we see more solar panels, etc. But the only option that can handle a lionshare of our electric grid needs right now is nuclear.

Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VA (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 11:38 AM)

It's in this type of classy, well written endorsement that the light is being shown and hopefully finally being understood. The light that will finally unite this Dem party in ways we truly need right now - to support Senator Obama.

With Clinton's voice becoming less and less devisive and used in more constructive and positive ways - there's nothing that can stop our uniting messages for our country in 2008 and beyond!

Kimmer (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 11:38 AM)

I love the calls for democratic unity by all of those who understand who the enemy is. How unpatriotic would it be to see Hillary supporters dissaffected by the primary race vote for McSame in the fall? Talk about cutting off one's nose to spite one's face. Why do they support Hillary at all. If it isn't about her democratic principles? Not soley because she is a woman I hope.

Hussein (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 11:38 AM)

Beautiful. Join us Hillary, "to ensure that Barack Obama is the next President of the United States."

Bismarck (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 11:39 AM)

Sick & Tired of LIES and CORRUPTION, Sick & Tired of Obama (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 9:42 AM)

Are you sure you're not a Republican? 'Cause you sure sound like one...

And Mox...he visited 57 states? Really? What planet are you on?

MI Chick (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 11:40 AM)

This is an extremely well-worded and heart felt endorsement. Thank you United Steelworkers!!

Again there is a lot of respect being shown to Senator Clinton and rightfully so. She has fought the good fight and I do believe she should stay in until all of the contests have been completed. But please do with the same dignity and respect towards Senator Obama that you are being shown.

We need someone other than Mc-Bush in the White House. The country CANNOT tolerate another 4 years of Bush policy. Senator Clinton, if you truly want to help the American people get out of the huge hole the Bush Administration has dug for us, put your great mind to work helping Obama defeat the Repubs in the fall. Please put your heart and fight into helping the American people take back their government and moved FORWARD into the 21st Century. You are a powerful player, Senator Clinton, and you are well respected for what you bring to the table. Now put your amazing efforts forth to help secure a new age in the White House.

SJB, SLC, UT (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 11:40 AM)

so you say you want a revolution....--john lennon

Obama -08 (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 11:41 AM)

Mr. Edwards was my first choice so long ago (actually in 2004). I'm glad he has supported Mr. Obama, who I believe will make a strong, smart president. The Steelworkers Union should help with the working class white votes, as well. I hope and pray that prejudice doesn't hold people back from supporting Mr. Obama in November. This country cannot, absolutely cannot, afford 4 more years of a republican president. Change is in the air, can you smell it?

Monica, WV (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 11:41 AM)

Nothing beats Americans when we are united. Unity is great.

Tania (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 11:41 AM)

Can this not end without Hillary becoming the nominee? I mean, I am all for her finishing the race. Hell, she's earned at least that. But, Emily's List's rant yesterday is unbelievable. Do they not understand who the real opposition is. To tear down a issue supporter in favor of another leads me to believe they don't quite understand the gravity of a McSame presidency.

Tired of Being Tired (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 11:41 AM)

Great pickup for Obama I suppose, but these endorsements are getting a little non-news worthy at this point. It is clear that he is the nominee, so maybe now the issues can finally be throughly discussed.

http://www.politivine.com

Cory (SC) (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 11:42 AM)

Why is it when you say you will not vote for BO in November you are called a racist on these boards, or it is assumed that the major factor in your decision is that he is a black man? Why are white voters in WV considered racist but Black voters in NC (9 to 1 for BO) are not? He, or his supporters, have played the race continually and deliberately. And they continue to do throughout these postings.

I am not voting for him because he is a one year senator who in my opinion lacks the experience to be president; he portrays himself as a new type of politician but use all the tactics of a regular one; he panders with the best on them, I did not hear much against NAFTA when he was campaigning in the farm states but when he hit the rust belt it was the worst agreement ever..and BTW most economists (you know the ones that are against the gas tax holiday) support free trade agreements; he continues to pander by now wearing the flag pin he argued against. Poll drive perhaps?

Currently, I am planning to stay home in November but if the level of vitriol by Barack Obama's supporters continue I will consider voting for his opponent, who ever that is.

Alan, NJ (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 11:42 AM)

BARACK 08'

Relle (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 11:42 AM)

I find it interesting, that in all the hubbub about Edwards endorsement, that no one thought about the unions that he could or would bring with him. If I remember correctly, he had several unions that were backing him.

Chris in Dorr - I'm sorry you didn't get in to see the Obama rally. I wasn't daring enough to fight the crowds, but...WOW! What a turnout!

L - MI (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 11:42 AM)

I cannot believe that so many informed, educated and patriotic Americans are joining the Obama mania.

Obama will not be good for American. I believe that with all my heart. I cannot believe that so many educated and experienced people buy into the 'Bama Brand. It is not top of the line that is for sure.

Obama is a phony and is duping millions.

Obama is like a guru. Leading folks around blindly.

Obama a brand that we cannot afford. The wheels will fall off. (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 11:43 AM)

I'm holding an emergency bible study/ gun show for anyone who needs something to "cling to" now that it looks like our party will pick the loser candidate for Nov. My bible study/ gun show is open to everyone of course, although I'm a (racist) "typical white person" Hillary supporter. I'm feeling a bit "bitter" today. The realization that my party will probably nominate a candidate because they think he is "hopeful" makes me want to puke! Don't worry though, when he loses the GE you can all blame Hillary for that too.

Bobbi, Eau Claire, WI (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 11:43 AM)

And all the people said,"Amen".

kent,Victoria,BC (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 11:43 AM)

Awesome! We will come toegether and win back the White House!

Obama '08

Brian, FL (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 11:44 AM)

Kool-aid for everyone!

Bobbi, Eau Claire, WI (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 11:44 AM)

Awesome! We will come toegether and win back the White House!

Obama '08

Brian, FL (Sent Thursday, May 15, 2008 11:44 AM)

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