Boilermakers Union Endorses Obama

The International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers has 65,000 members, and today, their executive council endorsed Barack Obama.

Comments

Where are they concentrated, btw?

Thank you.

Posted by Rhoda | February 20, 2008 12:38 PM

BOOM.

Posted by JBS | February 20, 2008 12:40 PM

What a bunch of latte-drinking, Prius-driving, Birkenstock-wearing, trust fund babies! GIVE ME A BREAK!

Posted by Craig | February 20, 2008 12:47 PM

As goes the IBBISBBFH, so goes the labor movement!

But seriously, nice pickup.

Posted by Daniel Munz | February 20, 2008 12:52 PM

This will hurt Clinton in Indiana as it basically assures that Obama will get all the Purdue University votes.

Posted by john | February 20, 2008 1:08 PM

The image of a delegation of blacksmiths wandering the streets and campaign for Obama is about the funniest thing I have envisioned all day.

Posted by Jonathan | February 20, 2008 1:23 PM

Now Obama adds the support of forgers to that of plagiarists!

Posted by Bill | February 20, 2008 1:30 PM

Now Obama adds the support of forgers to that of plagiarists!

I'm an obama supporter, but I have to admit -- that is freakin' hilarious.

Posted by gulc2l | February 20, 2008 1:37 PM

mmmmm... boilermakers.....

Posted by Homer | February 20, 2008 1:38 PM

I've been an Obama supporter from the beginning, but I couldn't resist.

Posted by Bill | February 20, 2008 1:40 PM

Rhoda, I'm not sure where the Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, or Forgers and Helpers are concentrated, but I'm pretty sure the Boilermakers are concentrated between the Vodka and the Galliano.

Posted by David Conrad | February 20, 2008 2:10 PM

Oops, I'm an idiot. Vodka and Galliano, with orange juice, is a Harvey Wallbanger, not a Boilermaker. No word on who Harvey's going to endorse. A boilermaker is a pint of beer and a shot of whiskey, rye, vodka, or tequila.

As penance, here is a link to the Wikipedia article on Boilermakers, who are apparently trained craftsmen who produce steel fabrications from plates and sections.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boilermaker

Posted by David Conrad | February 20, 2008 2:19 PM

Lol Craig!!!

Posted by yiannis | February 20, 2008 5:00 PM

But Old Fashioneds, Wooden Ship Builders, Whitesmiths, Embezzlers and Administrative Assistants are backing McCain

Posted by Bob | February 20, 2008 5:39 PM

Boilermakers are concentrated in the electrical power industry. They build the boilers that generate electricity. Iron ship builders are concentrated on the coasts. Blacksmiths and forgers have been diluted, but they still make some interesting things, e.g., railcars, golf clubs, and adjustable wrenches.

Posted by caperccino | February 20, 2008 6:11 PM

If the committs on here reflect the intellenge of those that.....well there is no way they could understand the IBB. Boilermakers are the highest trained building and trades craftsmen, they weld on pressures of 3800psi and over, work 1300ft in the air, their straight time wage package is over $75 per hour and with out them you would not have any power for your electric in your home. So there! Also a boilermaker is a pint of beer and whisky not other stuff to spoil the beer.

Forty three years at the trade.
L D

Posted by L D | February 21, 2008 10:37 AM

Don't forget that Sen. Obama has also been endorsed by the National Weather Service Employees Organization - the union that represents the forecasters at the National Weather Service, and the crews of the nation's hurricane tracking planes. Only one member of our union's board wears Birkenstocks - and he is a Tsunami forecaster from Hawaii.

Posted by RJH | February 21, 2008 11:16 AM