Iowa AFSCME local 231 President Sarah Little endorses John Kerry

[flpoljunkie]

http://www.johnkerry.com/pressroom/releases/pr_2004_0106a.html

AFSCME Local 231 President Sarah Little joins a long list of labor leaders who have endorsed John Kerry across the state.

January 06, 2004
For Immediate Release

Des Moines -

State Rep. Doug Struyk and Local AFSCME President Join Long List of Prominent Iowans Backing Kerry.

Kerry Changing the Minds of Activists, Many Switch from Dean to Kerry.

Going against the backing given to Howard Dean by her union, AFSCME Local 231 President Sarah Little of Cedar Rapids endorsed John Kerry for President today. Iowa Representative Doug Struyk of Council Bluffs threw his support behind Kerry as well today, after publicly supporting Joe Lieberman.

The announcements comes on the heels of Kerry’s four-day visit in Iowa that included the Des Moines Register debate and a major speech outlining his plan to build an economy that works for the American people again.

“Kerry is showing Iowans energy and passion and that he is going after every vote.  By caucus night, his doggedness will pay off in this state,” said State Rep. Doug Struyk. “I also believe veterans in Iowa appreciate the tough battles Kerry fought to give them the basic quality health care they deserve.  My father is a veteran and Kerry has done more than any other candidate to improve the quality of veterans’ lives across this country.”

State Rep. Doug Struyk, a small business owner, is the 26th state legislator to endorse John Kerry. Kerry has the support of over a third of the Democratic Caucus in the Iowa Legislature, which is more than double that of any other candidate.

“In the past few weeks, John Kerry has given Iowans real plans and a real vision, not just a list of things George Bush has done wrong.  He is proving to be the one candidate who is offering answers, not just anger,” said AFSCME Local 231 President Sarah Little. “Kerry has been on the side of working Americans, of fair wages, of decent jobs, of collective bargaining and the side of justice.”

Several prominent activists today switched their support to Kerry from Dean. Iowans that “dated Dean” but today “married Kerry” include:

·         Mary and Jake Ingvolstad, Activists, Cedar Rapids

·         Eric Langston, son of County Supervisor Linda Langston, Cedar Rapids

·         Fran Jeffers, Activist, Decorah

·         Chris Sowa, Activist, Decorah

·         Chip Lowe, Attorney, Des Moines

Last month, Jodi Ewing, Monona County Vice Chair and former Iowa House candidate; Beth Ferree, an activist from Panora; Ann Klees Allamakee County Chair; and Dave Hogan, President of Carpenters Local 308 in Cedar Rapids announced their switch from Dean to Kerry.

The pledge of support by these battle-tested democratic activists reflect the strength and depth of Kerry’s operation in Iowa and will translate into significant mobilization of caucus-goers.


 

[Hep]

1. Great! Knock Geps ass out of the race!

Clark and Dean will take care of Kerry in NH, and we'll be set.

[blm]

6. Sounded to me like Kerry's support was coming from former Dean supporters.

Or did I read the article wrong?

If Kerry is able to pull an upset or a closer second than expected, NH might look different.

[BrewCrew]

7. I'm Kornfused

How does this hurt Gephardt? AFSCME endorsed Dean and this AFSCME leader is saying that their endorsement is wrong and is instead going with a different candidate.

[JohnKleeb]

10. I dont see how it hurts Gep either

This doesnt hurt Gep, AFSCME as you say is a Dean endorsed union. Brew you support Gep, do you have a list of the unions that have endorsed him, and do you know if the United Miners of America have endorsed him, I know USA: United Steelworkers of America have, as have the bricklayers, just wondering because those 3 are the unions my family was involved with, my grandfather a bricklayer is a big Gep fan. This is good for Kerry I think.

[BrewCrew]

19. here you go John

Here are all the International Unions:

Amalgamated Transit Union
American Maritime Officers
Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union
Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees
International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees
International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers
International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers
International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers
International Brotherhood of Teamsters
International Longshoremen's Association
International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers
International Union of Journeymen Horseshoers and Allied Trades
Laborers` International Union
Marine Engineers' Beneficial Association
Office and Professional Employees International Union
Operative Plasterers` and Cement Masons` International Association
PACE International Union
Seafarer`s International Union
Transport Workers Union of America
United Food and Commercial Workers'
United Steelworkers of America


Plus,
UAW in these states Iowa, Missouri, Indiana, Kentucky, Oklahoma, California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Idaho, Alaska and Hawaii.

He also has the Operating Engineers in Iowa
The Building Trades in Missouri, Iowa, Oklahoma, New Hampshire, Arizona and I think maybe South Carolina

[blm]

25. And, I'll add, Gep has EARNED their support with decades of heavy lifting

for them and their families.

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

14. Hurts Dean a little, helps Kerry some

Any union endorsement is a big deal - the endorsement from a leader (but not the local itself) is less impressive, but still, Kerry should gloat about this and his figher-fighters endorsement.

[maddezmom]

2. interesting

there is still lots of movement between candidates. :)

[iowapeacechief]

11. Movement among candidates...

because it is a strong field, and all are worthy of support. This jockeying will continue until the last minute.

[maddezmom]

12. you are right

nothing and no one is a sure bet yet. :)

[TLM]

3. Good for Dean....

Get gephardt down a few more points.

I swear, nothing has helped Dean's campaign more than Kerry, Clark, and Gephardt's massive egos.

[flpoljunkie]

5. LOL! Spinning for the dissembling, egomaniacal Dean!

[Hep]

8. We'll chat again in two weeks

n/t

[oasis]

23. Bring along some humble pie, might as well include lunch. kick#1

[Name removed]

9. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[oasis]

13. Another Kerry thread overflowing with praise for the Gandilike Dr. Dean.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

16. Good

they'll get schooled in a couple weeks. Keep it up though....

[helleborient]

4. The list of activists endorsing Kerry is like listing DU members...

They put this in a real press release?

Son of the county supervisor? Is he an adult? Or age 8? Hmmm...we wouldn't know.

We might think they were "prominent" with a little more detail.

I'm an activist who switched from Kerry to Dean long ago...should that be in a press release?

[9119495]

15. I sitched from Kerry to Dean and I'm an activist.

This must have been lost in the shuffle last summer. Sorry for not making it clearer at the time. Also, my old social studies teacher has switched from Kerry to Kucinich so after I post this, I'm going to notify AP, ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, and Reuters.

[cindyw]

17. Hate to tell you this, but the caucus are run by these people.

They have a huge influence on how the delegates are assigned and they can be huge influences on convincing caucus goers who attend the caucuses to make their decision. Laugh it off if you will, but these defections from Dean to Kerry say something about the momentum in this campaign.

[9119495]

18. hate to tell you this, but I influence caucus goers

I'm in Iowa, will caucus, and will get more delgates for Dean. You think Kerry is the only one who has this support? You think there are no Dean supporters who will be working the room? Good for Kerry that he has some of these people...but I bet Dean has more. You should see the Dean appearances in Iowa. Huge turn out, committed followers. Do these types of people fail to caucus or fail to make a difference on caucus night? I think not.

[sandnsea]

21. Building support

It starts with respect. It's lacking in some quarters. Won't go unnoticed. That will be the downfall of Dean.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

22. Yes. Very well and succintly put. eom

[9119495]

24. Respect lacking just from Dean and Dean Supporters?

How about the Kerry person my Dad got into an argument with on the phone--and he was leaning for Kerry! He was undecided between Kerry and Dean and when he stated why he was undecided the Kerry canvasser said "How could you be thinking about that guy?" in an insulting tone. Thus, my Dad entered the Dean campaign-- so yes a lack of respect will cost a candidate--and it will be Kerry's downfall. Too bad, because I liked the guy.

I really hate how some of this thread has gone. A low level union official joins the Kerry campaign and its a sign Dean is dead in the water? People are joining the Dean and Kerry campaigns everyday--thats what happens when there are so many undecideds and the caucuses get closer. Of course caucus goers make a difference, but Dean has numerous people like the ones in the poster's list that have already been announced.

[iowapeacechief]

20. Bingo!

Activist endorsements absolutely do matter. This is about winning souls, one by one by one. It can be very local.

Yesterday I received e-mail from a popular high-school social studies teacher, advising me (as county coordinator for Kucinich) that he has joined us. His note ended: "yeah, i know it's late, but i needed to be sure."

Hoo-ray!