United Steelworkers endorse Obama
WASHINGTON (AP) - May 15, 2008 The endorsement comes one day after former presidential
candidate and Steelworker ally John Edwards endorsed Obama, a key
component in the union's decision to go with the Democratic
front-runner. The union had earlier endorsed Edwards, who threw his
support to Obama Wednesday night.
"We find ourselves once again in agreement with Senator
Edwards, this time with his decision last evening to endorse
Senator Barack Obama," the union said in a statement. "And thus
today, the United Steelworkers enthusiastically endorses Senator
Barack Obama to be the next president of the United States."
The Steelworkers are the second union that endorsed Edwards to
now go with Obama. The 200,000-member Transport Workers Union
earlier switched and endorsed Obama.
The United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and the United
Mine Workers union - who also endorsed Edwards - have not made new
endorsements in the race.
Obama and his presidential rival, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton,
have been courting the 600,000 member Steelworkers union since
Edwards dropped out of the race. The union's executive board,
however, was unanimous in picking Obama for its endorsement.
"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," the
union said. "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."