Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : President Barack Obama -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: tejek who wrote (10507)	2/21/2008 5:48:21 PM
From: stockman_scott	Respond to of 149317

Obama Wins Backing of Second-Biggest U.S. Labor Group (Update1) By Kim Chipman Feb. 21 (Bloomberg) -- Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama won an endorsement today from the second-biggest U.S. labor federation, and the head of the group said Hillary Clinton must soon realize her rival has the momentum to win the nomination and bow out of the race. ``The winds of change are blowing, and they are blowing for Barack Obama,'' said Anna Burger, head of Change to Win, which includes the Teamsters and the United Food and Commercial Workers union. The time is coming for Clinton ``to recognize that change is happening.'' Four of the seven Change to Win unions are lending their support to Obama, including the 1.4 million-member Teamsters yesterday. The federation said it believes it can help push Obama into an undisputed victory over New York Senator Clinton by mobilizing union voters and their families in coming primary states such as union-heavy Ohio. ``We think we can make a difference,'' Burger said today. ``We think it's time to bring this nomination to a close.'' The backing of Illinois Senator Obama, 46, marks Change to Win's first presidential endorsement. The group was formed three years ago after the Service Employees International Union and others left the AFL-CIO, the country's biggest union federation, over differences about how to best rebuild a dwindling labor movement. Four Unions Change to Win represents 6 million workers. The four unions supporting Obama are the International Brotherhood of Teamsters; the 1.9-million member SEIU; UFCW; and Unite Here, which represents hotel, restaurant, casino and textile employees. Unions not backing Obama are the Laborers' International Union of North America, the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America and the United Farm Workers of America. The laborers union, which includes construction workers, mail handlers and government employees, has yet to endorse anyone, while the carpenters union supported former North Carolina Senator John Edwards, who dropped out of the race last month. The farm workers are backing Clinton. Clinton, 60, also has endorsements from several AFL-CIO unions, including the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees and the American Federation of Teachers. Burger said the main reasons that Change to Win chose to back Obama were his pledge to pursue ``fair'' trade policies that protect U.S. jobs and universal health care as well as 10 straight primary and caucus wins over Clinton. ``He's the strongest candidate to win in the general election,'' Burger said. ``Our members are moving more to Barack Obama.'' To contact the reporters on this story: Kim Chipman in Dallas at jsobczyk@bloomberg.net . Last Updated: February 21, 2008 16:28 EST