Teamsters Plan To Endorse Obama

The 1.4 million-member Teamsters union will endorse Sen. Barack Obama's presidential candidacy today, Democrats briefed on the decision said.

A Teamsters official confirmed the endorsement.

Nothing says tough, or evokes "gruff," more than the Teamsters.

Obama and Hillary Clinton have been courting the union and its colorful bull of a president, James Hoffa for more than a year. Among labor unions in the United States, the Teamsters are third in size to the Service Employees, who endorsed Obama last week and the National Education Association, which is neutral.

The Teamsters have a storied, occasionally controversial history and are capable of putting large numbers of boots on the ground for their preferred candidates.

The Teamsters were waiting until after Wisconsin's primary before announcing its choice. After briefly flirting with Pres. George W. Bush, the union returned into the Democratic fold when it became clear that Bush and the White House intended to use exploit the PR benefits from the union's outreach without supporting any of their key initiatives.

"I am not in a position to confirm anything at this point," an Obama spokesman said this morning.

Note: in 1998, the Clintons supported former Teamsters Pres. Ron Carey in his failing re-election bid; he lost to Mr. Hoffa, who has since insisted that he has reconciled with the Clintons.

Other large unions remaining neutral, so far, are the United Auto Workers and the Communications Workers of America.

Comments

I'll say it again - these latte-drinking, Prius-driving, Birkenstock-wearing, trust fund babies are going to ruin the Democratic Party!

Posted by Craig | February 20, 2008 12:48 PM

BOOM.

Posted by JBS | February 20, 2008 1:01 PM

Other large unions remaining neutral, so far, are the United Auto Workers and the Communications Workers of America.

I'm reminded of an episode of the Simpsons where Homer is chasing a roasted pig improbably rendered airborne, all the time saying "It's still good! It's still good!" as the pig makes one narrow miss after another. I believe Homer finally gives up after the pig, at long last, lands in a reservoir.

In fact, the whole Clinton campaign kind of reminds me of that.

Posted by Jeff Larson | February 20, 2008 1:05 PM

Teamsters endorse Obama? Took them long enough. But taking long enough could be their motto.
Actually, the Clinton support of Carey wasn't very smart. They should have stayed out of it, they picked sides (the wrong side), and the union hasn't forgotten.

Posted by fougasseu | February 20, 2008 1:07 PM

Go ahead, John Edwards. Endorse Hillary. I dare you.

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

After what happened in Nevada I wouldn't expect any Union to endorse the Clintons.

Posted by 100 percent | February 20, 2008 1:53 PM

I wonder if Pelosi will step in, and stop the bleeding?

Maybe Madame Speaker is enjoying the Clinton demise!

Posted by EJ | February 20, 2008 1:57 PM

I am a union member, and its not like the good ole days, we union members no longer vote as a block, we vote for who we think best understands our problems and needs and in this case with john edwards gone it is Hillary Clinton

Posted by sandra longley | February 20, 2008 2:01 PM

Sandra, that may be true, however, Union endorsements do more than just give votes for candidates. They give free publicity, organization on the ground, extra bodies for calling and canvasing. All of which are very important.

Posted by John | February 20, 2008 2:15 PM

I'm not expecting it from The Atlantic, but the backstory involves NAFTA. While Hillary might or might not have favored that, currently the Teamsters are fighting one of its provisions. I believe they might have sued since then. Despite the possibility of her support for that which is currently causing them grief, Obama is definitely even more OpenBorders than she is, so they'd seem to be endorsing against interest.

Posted by TLB | February 20, 2008 2:54 PM

How are the Teamsters doing? I miss being in a Union that protects workers rights. Folks who trust Business to do right by this world, just take a look around. Lobbyist talk and we duck walk. Obama may or may not be the answer, but he is the only choice.

Posted by Charles | February 20, 2008 3:22 PM

With regrets I say, Hillary is toast.

Now...I'd better take a good look at McCain because the Democratic Party is about to take too sharp a left turn for my stomach.

Posted by Leigh | February 21, 2008 6:38 AM

If the UAW does not back Clinton or McCain, I'll buy Toyotas for the rest of my life.

Posted by Leigh | February 21, 2008 6:41 AM