(The Associated Press circulated the following story by Leigh Strope on September 9.)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Democrats Howard Dean, Richard Gephardt, and John F. Kerry were the top contenders yesterday for a crucial presidential endorsement from the largest union in the AFL-CIO, a decision that could come as early as tomorrow. Although Andy Stern, president of the 1.6-million-member Service Employees International Union, named those three as likely to capture the union’s backing at this week’s political conference, Dean was the clear crowd favorite yesterday.
The former Vermont governor was greeted with earsplitting cheers and numerous, lengthy standing ovations from the nearly 1,500 rank-and-file members. The audience several times clapped and chanted in unison.
“This time the person with the most votes is going to be the president of the United States,” Dean roared.
Afterward, he was mobbed by union members seeking autographs and pictures, as well as the media.
“He’s got more passion than anyone else,” said Carol Bragg, a nurse from Prince George’s County, Md.
Said Gerard Williams, a home health care worker from Fresno, Calif.: “He’s coming from the heart — telling it like it is.”
All the candidates were received enthusiastically, but Dean got an overwhelming response. Even Stern couldn’t hide that he was intrigued by the candidate who has risen in polls in Iowa and New Hampshire.
“People who have dismissed Howard Dean so far certainly have done it at their peril,” said Stern, who admittedly was one of those several months ago.
“He’s touched a nerve with how frustrated people are with what’s happening in their lives in the past three years,” Stern said.
The Democrat who has the most at stake is Gephardt, who covets a laborwide endorsement from the AFL-CIO next month. The Missouri congressman has 12 union endorsements so far, and is the only candidate to get backing from an international union. But he needs support from a few more large unions, such as SEIU, to win over the AFL-CIO.
A fiery, red-faced Gephardt pounded the lectern with his fist, shouting to make his points. Twice, he called President Bush “a miserable failure,” a phrase he used several times during last week’s debate.
The SEIU is the nation’s fastest-growing union and among the most progressive and diverse, making it an enticing prize for Democrats seeking labor support. Its members are janitors, nursing home workers, home health care workers, hospital nurses, and government employees. Many are Hispanic.
Stern noted that Dean so far has attracted white, upper-income backers, and needs to broaden his base.
Separately, all nine Democrats were to meet yesterday and today with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, the second-largest in the AFL-CIO and the most politically powerful. AFSCME spends more than any other union on politics.
After his AFSCME session, Connecticut Senator Joseph I. Lieberman said he was disappointed that he was not among the top three contenders for the labor endorsements, saying he is the best candidate to beat Bush.
“I really urge them to hang back a little bit. Watch this develop,” Lieberman said.
Stern said SEIU would not endorse a candidate who had not proposed a comprehensive health insurance program to cover most Americans and show how it would be funded.
SEIU is embarking on its largest political mobilization effort for 2004, asking 500,000 members to contribute $20 each, and setting goals of making 7 million phone calls, knocking on 10 million doors, and handing out 6 million fliers.