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SEIU Machine Lines Up Behind Obama

Senator was 'right person at the right time' for influential union

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 15, 2008 4:40 PM CST
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(Newser) – The Service Employees International Union cast its lot with Democrat Barack Obama today, the New York Times reports. "We have an enormous amount of respect for Senator Clinton, but it's now become clear members and leaders want to become part of an effort to elect Barack Obama the next president," said the president of the influential 1.9-million member union.

The decision “is really not about specific positions alone," said Andy Stern. "It's about the right person at the right time.” Hillary Clinton’s camp has said she must do well in Ohio and Texas to halt Obama’s momentum, but Stern says the SEIU will be “very active” in Ohio campaigning and has “great organizing efforts” in Texas, USA Today reports.

Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y, greets Service Employees International Union President Andy Stern during the New Leadership on Health Care Presidential Forum at The Cox Pavilion, Saturday, March 24, 2007 in Las Vegas. The union has endorsed Obama in the 2008 presidential race. (AP Photo/Eric Jamison)
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y, greets Service Employees International Union President Andy Stern during the New Leadership on Health Care Presidential Forum at The...   (Associated Press)
Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., greets the crowd with home care worker Pauline Beck of Alameda, Calif., who hosted Obama in a 'Walk a Day in My Shoes' program, as he arrives to speak at the Service Employees International Union Political Action Conference in Washington, Monday, Sept. 17,...
Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., greets the crowd with home care worker Pauline Beck of Alameda, Calif., who hosted Obama in a 'Walk a Day in My Shoes' program, as he arrives...   (Associated Press)
Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., makes remarks during a rally, Friday, Feb. 15, 2008, in Milwaukee, Wis. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., makes remarks during a rally, Friday, Feb. 15, 2008, in Milwaukee, Wis. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)   (Associated Press)
Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., greets the crowd at the Service Employees International Union Political Action Conference in Washington, Monday, Sept. 17, 2007. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., greets the crowd at the Service Employees International Union Political Action Conference in Washington, Monday, Sept. 17, 2007. (AP Photo/Gerald...   (Associated Press)
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Barack Obama • Hillary Clinton • labor unions • SEIU • Texas primary • Ohio primary • Service Employees International Union • Election 2008

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