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Edwards Goes All-Out in Courting Labor

Candidate can't count on AFL-CIO but can target individual unions

By Heather McPherson, Newser User

Posted Aug 7, 2007 3:50 PM CDT

(Newser) – Even though he can’t expect broad endorsement, John Edwards is pushing hard for labor support, hoping to rack up the backing of a slew of individual unions. The Washington Post reports ahead of tonight’s AFL-CIO-sponsored Democratic forum that union backing is key to the Southerner’s strategy, even though a collective federation endorsement—which takes a two-thirds vote—is highly unlikely.

Labor is powerful in Iowa, but two dozen union endorsements (to John Kerry's one) didn’t save Dick Gephardt’s candidacy in 2004. Still, Edwards is leaning on labor-friendly platforms like universal health care, tax reform, minimum wage hikes and NAFTA renegotation in hopes of advancing from the mire of third place in the polls.

[Images (4)]

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Democratic presidential hopeful former Sen. John Edwards talks to supporters as he leaves a house party in Nashua, N.H., Saturday, July 28, 2007. (AP Photo/Cheryl Senter) (Associated Press)

Democratic presidential hopeful former Sen. John Edwards drinks water in between questions during a house party in Nashua, N.H., Saturday, July 28, 2007. (AP Photo/Cheryl Senter) (Associated Press)

Democratic presidential hopeful and former Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., speaks to members of the Silicon Valley Leadership Group on Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2007, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) (Associated Press)

Democratic presidential hopeful John Edwards holds the hand of his wife Elizabeth during dinner in Chapel Hill, N.C., on Monday, July 30. 2007. The Edwards were celebrating their 30th anniversary with... (Associated Press)

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John Edwards meticulously crafts his image, in a parody video not likely to impress labor unions. (RogerRmjet (YouTube))

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Edwards Goes All-Out in Courting Labor