In a few minutes, we will make the official announcement to the media that Change to Win is endorsing Senator Barack Obama for President of the United States.
Here are some excerpts from the remarks that Change to Win Chair Anna Burger will be delivering at the announcement:
Our members and the 40 million workers in our industries are real people who work hard picking the crops, stocking the shelves, preparing and serving our food, building, cleaning and guarding the skyscrapers of our big cities. They drive our buses and trucks.
They care for the sick and elderly and help us raise our children. They are the infrastructure of our society
For them, this election is about changing America to win a better future for our children.
We want a president who shares our vision and is committed to a practical program to translate that vision into action.
Action that will fix what happens at work by:
- Protecting the right of workers to have a voice in their workplaces
- Health care for every man, woman and child in America
- Fair trade policies to promote job growth
- Creating good jobs through rebuilding and expanding our nation’s infrastructure
- Most importantly, we want a president who shares our dream and unites Americans in building a movement for change. ….a movement with the power to turn that dream into reality.
Today, Change to Win is proud to endorse Senator Barack Obama.
I'll be posting a copy of our official statement and links to other resources shortly. In the meantime, here's the video of Senator Obama's address to our Second Biennial Convention last September, if you didn't catch it then...
And if you want to embed the speech in your blog, there's an embeddable highlight reel available on YouTube.
UPDATE (2:23PM): Here's our press release, and here's the complete text of Anna Burger's remarks from the announcement. Oh, and if you're with the media, we have downloadable high-resolution (300dpi) photos of Senator Obama addressing our second biennial convention last year for your use too.
UPDATE (4:55PM): Coverage from the New York Times' politics blog, The Caucus -- "Change to Win Gets Behind Obama":
Its member unions represent 175,000 workers in Ohio alone. Nationwide, the group represents more than five million workers. And now Change to Win, a coalition of seven unions, is jumping on board the Barack Obama bandwagon...
To maximize the help they can give Mr. Obama, Change to Win officials said the leaders of the service employees, Teamsters, food and commercial workers and Unite Here are planning to be in Ohio at the same time next week to campaign with Mr. Obama.
The coalition’s leaders praised Mr. Obama’s positions on many issues, although they added they were also pleased with Mrs. Clinton’s and Mr. Edwards’s positions on the issues.
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Comments (141)
Comments posted to CtW Connect are the sole property of the individual posting them, and do not necessarily reflect the viewpoints of Change to Win, its affiliated unions, or its leadership.
I am so dissapointed in your choice and my hope is that you see the disaster you will cause.
Posted by hardworking mom of 4 on February 21, 2008 at 2:07 PM
Posted on February 21, 2008 at 2:07 PM
Excellent Choice!!! Thank you
Posted by Andrew on February 21, 2008 at 2:23 PM
Posted on February 21, 2008 at 2:23 PM
Outstanding decision. Thank you for your courage by standing for change that will better the world for all of us.
Posted by Zachary on February 21, 2008 at 2:29 PM
Posted on February 21, 2008 at 2:29 PM
Thank you Change to Win. Your choice to endorse Sen. Obama makes me so proud of this organization and for organized labor as whole. You have chosen a candidate who has seen it all from the poor corridors of southside Chicago to many rural and urban forgotten communities in this country.
I'm so proud!
Indeed, together, Yes We Can!
Posted by Michael Andrews on February 21, 2008 at 2:31 PM
Posted on February 21, 2008 at 2:31 PM
It is time for change. It is time to move forward. It is time to come together and work together. It is time to change the way we think and the way we live. It is time to change the same Washington Establishment. It is time for us stand up and fight for the real America. The time has come. We are fired up! We are ready to go!
It is evident, God is already blessing Barack Obama. With Barack Obama, God is not giving us destruction or giving us the worst; God is giving us the best. Our God will always give us the best.
May God bless Change To Win for the Obama endorsement.
Posted by Ricardo Ramirez on February 21, 2008 at 2:55 PM
Posted on February 21, 2008 at 2:55 PM
Excellent Choice. Thank you so much for doing what you can to bring about change.
Posted by Bryan on February 21, 2008 at 3:03 PM
Posted on February 21, 2008 at 3:03 PM
But Tom Buffenbarger tells me that only "latte-drinking, Prius-driving, Birkenstock-wearing, trust fund babies" like Obama. So clearly, you meant Clinton.
Either that, or clearly Teamsters are driving Prius-brand rigs now. And hotel maids are trust-fund babies.
Posted by David Grenier on February 21, 2008 at 3:43 PM
Posted on February 21, 2008 at 3:43 PM
I have a trust fund???
Why didn't anybody tell me before today? Sheesh! I coulda used that money...
Posted by Jason Lefkowitz on February 21, 2008 at 4:06 PM
Posted on February 21, 2008 at 4:06 PM
About time! And happy that it has finally happened. We have no other choice but him.
Posted by Misc. on February 21, 2008 at 5:04 PM
Posted on February 21, 2008 at 5:04 PM
The reasons you give for an endorsement are excellent. The only problem is that Obama does not embody them perfectly, nor does Clinton. Unfortunately, neither candidate has been good at demonstrating both vision and a practical process for delivering on that vision. To avoid splitting "our side" perhaps you could have canvassed your members or supporters, and reported the results without an endorsement.
Until very, very recently Obama paid no attention to organized labor, and before he was a candidate for president, he criticized the left for "demanding civil liberties but not deregulation"; and he said he was a progressive on social issues and a "traditionalist" on economic issues. (New York Times Book Review, December 24 2006, review of his book by Gary Hart.)
Posted by rp on February 21, 2008 at 5:26 PM
Posted on February 21, 2008 at 5:26 PM
I will not endorse any candidate who will not say they will de-fund this occupation in Iraq and immediately bring the troops home, not tomorrow or next year or in 10 years after they might be elected! In my opinion there is not a nickels worth of difference between any of the current candidates. Why did you not endorse the only viable candidate, Dennis Kuchinich? He would have been the only trustworthy President.
Posted by LaVonna Lathrop on February 21, 2008 at 5:36 PM
Posted on February 21, 2008 at 5:36 PM
I, too, am very disappointed in your endorsement of Obama. Change, hope, a new direction? Why? Just because he says so? Style over substance, a slick marketing message over a sincere and truthful approach to the issues. No thanks. An no thanks to CTW anymore.
Posted by not a lemming on February 21, 2008 at 5:37 PM
Posted on February 21, 2008 at 5:37 PM
So sorry to hear you endorsed Obama. Hillary has a proven track record of supporting and working hard for all the issues you mention. Obama has not. He's got big corporate money behind him---it will come out sooner or later. He does not have the experience to lead our country out of the mess that the current administration has put us in. I think Obama is a highly intelligent individual, shows leadership, but he needs seasoning. He needs to spend more time in the Senate or as VP. I don't think he'll get through Congress all the supposedly reforms and change that he is preaching he can do. I do think he is sexist. As a woman, I can spot it 10 miles away--he's used sexist language against Hillary. Watch out, girls. The MSM is going to slime him if he is the Dem. nominee and I don't think he'll survive.
Posted by HillarySupporter on February 21, 2008 at 5:39 PM
Posted on February 21, 2008 at 5:39 PM
I'm very disappionted in your choice of candidates. I will not vote your choice. I fell he is too inexperienced to run a country.
Posted by dolores emsley on February 21, 2008 at 5:42 PM
Posted on February 21, 2008 at 5:42 PM
I endorse Barak Obama for President except that his stance on immigartion is WRONG. There should be no automatic citizenship for babies born in the United States to illegal aliens like there is presently-it just causes chain migration.Let's start building the fence on the U.S.-Mexican border that Congress authorized last fall but did not fund.Let's enforce our present immigration laws and try enforcement by attrition.If illegal aliens can't find jobs in the U.S.many of them will self-deport themselves back to their country of origin.There are millions of unemployed U.S.citizens who need jobs that are being taken by illegal aliens. Here's a quote I think is excellent: "Calling an illegal alien an undocumented immigrant is like calling a burglar an uninvited house guest".
Posted by David Gustafson on February 21, 2008 at 5:53 PM
Posted on February 21, 2008 at 5:53 PM
Such a bad choice you've made in Obama for President. This man doesn't have the experience to lead this country. Hillary is my choice and she gets my vote for President of these United States of America. Obama should have stayed with his day job as a junior Senator.
Posted by Budd Hodges on February 21, 2008 at 6:13 PM
Posted on February 21, 2008 at 6:13 PM
What a joke, please tell me this is a joke!
Posted by Hillary for President on February 21, 2008 at 6:20 PM
Posted on February 21, 2008 at 6:20 PM
I am also disappointed in your decision to endorse Obama. I have already cast my vote for Clinton and hope to be able to do so again in November. Why didn't you hold your endorsement until a candidate had been chosen? I fear a fracture in the party could once again give Republicans a chance to prevail.
Posted by Karen McNab on February 21, 2008 at 6:23 PM
Posted on February 21, 2008 at 6:23 PM
You have bought into the frenzy! I wish you people would have stopped and used your brains! BIG MISTAKE!
Posted by Voting for Hillary on February 21, 2008 at 6:24 PM
Posted on February 21, 2008 at 6:24 PM
I think this is awesome. And I don't have a Prius, birkenstocks, and *shocker* never have had a latte.
Posted by Joel on February 21, 2008 at 6:24 PM
Posted on February 21, 2008 at 6:24 PM
We aren't electing a PROM KING folks. Yes, Obama is a nice guy and grand cheerleader, but so was BUSH. Look what that got us.
WE NEED AN EXPERIENCED PRESIDENT!
If you insist on Obama, you had better make sure the vice president is someone you really want, because you can bet that some guy in a pointy white hat is going to lay in waiting.
Posted by Sandra Lopez Holt on February 21, 2008 at 6:24 PM
Posted on February 21, 2008 at 6:24 PM
I know people that will vote for a Republican be for they will vote for Obama! What are you people thinking?
Posted by Better off with a Republican? on February 21, 2008 at 6:26 PM
Posted on February 21, 2008 at 6:26 PM
I am truly sorry to hear that the union leaders decide to endorse Sen. Obama. He is not the candidate of our choice. While I respect your decision and your choice, I beg you not to urge Sen. Clinton to step down. Please please please, we like her and have high opinion of her.
Posted by Joe on February 21, 2008 at 6:31 PM
Posted on February 21, 2008 at 6:31 PM
I bet most of the people on here that are saying this is a good choice are black. Wonder if they know he is half white, and if his skin would have been white instead of black, they would not be voting for him. Wow, good reason to choose a president, NOT!
Posted by White Woman on February 21, 2008 at 6:34 PM
Posted on February 21, 2008 at 6:34 PM
I've been some what torn between these two candidates since John Edwards is no longer in the race and am leaning toward Hillary because whomever is elected will have to hit the ground running and she is undisputedly the most experienced in "how the executive branch" of government operates and with a "been there, done that" attitude in some instances, I feel she can get a lot done right off the bat. While Obama talks a good talk, (if he gets the nomination, i'll work hard to get him elected), will need six months to familiarize himself with the office, make appointments, and because we don't really know him as well as we do Hillary, he'll get at least a six month honeymoon with America. I makes no difference to me who CTW endorses or whom my Laborers Union ends up endorsing, I support Hillary.
Posted by tm on February 21, 2008 at 6:40 PM
Posted on February 21, 2008 at 6:40 PM
I do not agree with your choice! He doesn't know anything!I hate to say it,but I might have to vote republican this time!No, make that I WILL VOTE REPUBLICAN if he gets the party's nod.BAD,BAD,choice!
Posted by Bill Cunningham on February 21, 2008 at 6:40 PM
Posted on February 21, 2008 at 6:40 PM
Wake up America! Obama is the only choice!
Posted by Heather on February 21, 2008 at 6:41 PM
Posted on February 21, 2008 at 6:41 PM
Yeah right! Health care for everyone, what a joke! Health care if you can pay for it, oh wait, we already have that! Fools!
Posted by Don't vote Obama on February 21, 2008 at 6:48 PM
Posted on February 21, 2008 at 6:48 PM
Score another one for the Repulicans!
Posted by American on February 21, 2008 at 6:49 PM
Posted on February 21, 2008 at 6:49 PM
is this the Obama who said he wouldn't run because he's too green?
i think maybe he is and i think i know very little about his track record.
does anyone know much about him?
Posted by mac on February 21, 2008 at 6:52 PM
Posted on February 21, 2008 at 6:52 PM
Thanks, Change to Win. I admire the bravery it took to step away from the talk of "experience" and endorse Sen. Obama. What most people don't realize, and what HE does realize, is that it doesn't take an experienced politician to change Washington or to lead this country. It takes every single one of us. WE the people, the workers, the ones who get up every day and keep this country cranking. For too long we left our country in the care of those with "experience" and they've raised our taxes, given our money to lobbyists, and not achieved anything to improve education, healthcare, or the economy. Now is the time for the "experienced" to realize that it only takes a little bit of smarts, some hard work, and millions of people willing to tow their line in order to get the things done that we need. It's not THEIR responsibility. It's OURS. That's what Obama reminds us. I encourage everyone to go to barackobama.com and check out his Blueprint for Change. Hope isn't empty folks. And it's not a political party or a President that gets things done. It's us.
Bonnie S.
Ohio
Posted by Bonnie S. on February 21, 2008 at 7:03 PM
Posted on February 21, 2008 at 7:03 PM
I think both senators would bring great improvement to the White House and I do think that Senator Obama is appealing to a broader base of voters. I am an undecided Democrat in Pennsylvania who had been leaning towards Senator Obama, but his recent statement about supporting individual gun ownership disturbed me. I know, I know, they all feel a need to pander to the Gun Lobby, but living next to Philadelphia where gun mayhem is a daily occurrence, this disturbs me.
As I said I am undecided and definitely on the fence, probably not making up my mind until April when we vote here.
Posted by Kenneth Mattos on February 21, 2008 at 7:16 PM
Posted on February 21, 2008 at 7:16 PM
Can a Muslim be a good American?
I find this a very good question, without prejudice simply read the following and if in doubt research it for yourself!! This is very interesting and each of us need to read and digest it from start to Finish! Maybe this is why our American Muslims have been so quiet and not speaking out about any atrocities.....
This question was forwarded to a friend who worked in Saudi Arabia for 20 years.
Can a good Muslim be a good American?
The following is his reply:
Theologically - no. . . . Because his allegiance is to Allah, The moon God of Arabia .
Religiously - no. . . . Because no other religion is accepted by His Allah except Islam (Quran, 2:256) (Koran)
Scripturally - no. . . Because his allegiance is to the five Pillars of Islam and the Quran.
Geographically - no . . . Because his allegiance is to Mecca , to which he turns in prayer five times a day.
Socially - no. . . Because his allegiance to Islam forbids him To make friends with Christians or Jews.
Politically - no. . . Because he must submit to the mullahs (spiritual leaders), who teach annihilation of Israel and destruction of America , the great Satan.
Domestically - no. . . Because he is instructed to marry four Women and beat and scourge his wife when she disobeys him (Quran 4:34)
Intellectually - no. . . Because he cannot accept the American Constitution since it is based on Biblical principles and he believes the Bible to be corrupt.
Philosophically - no. . . Because Islam, Muhammad, and the Quran does not allow freedom of religion and expression. Democracy and Islam cannot co-exist. Every Muslim government is either dictatorial or autocratic.
Spiritually - no. . . . Because when we declare 'one nation under God,' the Christian's God is loving and kind, while Allah is NEVER referred to as Heavenly father, nor is he ever called love in The Quran's 99 excellent names. - - - Therefore after much study and deliberation.... Perhaps we should be very suspicious of ALL MUSLIMS in this country. - - - They obviously cannot be both 'good' Muslims and good Americans.
* * * Call it what you wish,. it's still the truth.* * * You had better think about it. + + + The more who understand this, the better it will be for our country and our future. The religious war is bigger than we know or understand. . .
And Barack Hussein Obama, a Muslim, wants to be our President? You have GOT to be kidding! Wake up America !
Obama has been quite clear if he wins this Presidential election, he will be sworn in on the Quran---not a Bible!
Posted by Leon A. Pollock on February 21, 2008 at 7:20 PM
Posted on February 21, 2008 at 7:20 PM
I'm happy to see people commenting on the CTW blog! Where have you all been all this time. CTW Connect has been up for a year if not more. I guess it takes a presidential endorsement to get people on the blog, but don't stop there!
Posted by Jason Gooljar on February 21, 2008 at 7:34 PM
Posted on February 21, 2008 at 7:34 PM
I am very sad to hear that you have jumped on the media hype bandwagon. Why would you endorse a candidate who didn't even THINK about laborers or unions until it helped his campaign. Seems a little self-serving to me. If this novice wins the nomination, I will be sitting out the election rather than voting for him. These endorsements do nothing but fracture our party even more. I wish you would see that he can't make good on all the promises he makes - it is near impossible! (and he's even started backtracking on some of them now).
It saddens me deeply.
Posted by NickSP on February 21, 2008 at 7:40 PM
Posted on February 21, 2008 at 7:40 PM
The Real Barack Obama
Thursday, February 21, 2008 10:06 AM
Michelle Obama’s comment that, for the first time in her adult life, she feels proud of America helps crystallize who Barack Obama is.
To be sure, the wife of a candidate is perfectly free to have views that are distinct from her husband’s. But on a matter that is so fundamental to one’s being as love of country, it is difficult to imagine that Michelle Obama would publicly twice make such a statement suggesting disdain for America unless she felt it comported with her husband’s views.
Equally important, her statement aligns perfectly with the hate-America views of the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Barack Obama’s minister, friend, and sounding board for more than two decades. On the Sunday following 9/11, Wright characterized the terrorist attacks as a consequence of violent American policies. Four years later, Wright suggested that the attacks were retribution for America’s racism.
“In the 21st century, white America got a wake-up call after 9/11/01,” Wright wrote in his church magazine Trumpet. “White America and the Western world came to realize that people of color had not gone away, faded into the woodwork or just ‘disappeared’ as the Great White West kept on its merry way of ignoring black concerns.”
Wright has been a key supporter of Louis Farrakhan, and in December, honored the Nation of Islam leader for lifetime achievement, saying he “truly epitomize[s] greatness.”
Farrakhan has repeatedly made hate-filled statements targeting Jews, whites, America, and homosexuals.
Those who think two of the closest people to Obama could publicly make anti-America statements unless Obama himself felt that way, are fooling themselves. To date, Obama has proven himself to be nothing more than a great orator, rendering the statements of those around him even more important in illuminating his true character and agenda. During his Senate career, he skipped 17 percent of the votes and sponsored only one bill that became law. That bill was to promote “relief, security, and democracy in the Democratic Republic of Congo.”
Bereft of official accomplishments, Obama has distinguished himself mainly by being against measures that protect American security, such as finishing the mission in Iraq. If we were to leave Iraq quickly, as Obama vows he would do, it would become a launch pad for al-Qaida attacks on the U.S.
Obama avoided voting on extending the Protect America Act, thus putting America at risk when immediate interception of terrorist communications is required. Last August, Obama voted against a measure that would have allowed the U.S. to continue to monitor overseas conversations of terrorists like Osama bin Laden without first obtaining a warrant.
If his radical vote had prevailed, bin Laden would have been given the same rights as Americans.
To this day, Obama has not distanced himself from most of Rev. Wright’s comments. In a statement supposedly issued to address the matter, Obama ignored the point that his minister and friend had spoken adoringly of Farrakhan and that Wright’s church was behind the award to the Nation of Islam leader. Instead, as outlined in a Jan. 17 Newsmax article, he disingenuously claimed he thought the magazine bestowed the award on Farrakhan for his efforts to rehabilitate ex-prisoners.
Neither Wright’s encomiums about Farrakhan nor the Trumpet article mentions ex-prisoners.
Similarly, after John McCain’s wife Cindy responded to Michelle Obama’s remarks by telling a Wisconsin rally, “I have, and always will be, proud of my country,” Barack Obama told a radio interviewer that his wife did not say what people think she said. He then proceeded to rewrite her comments, claiming that she had meant she was encouraged by the “large numbers of people” who have gotten involved in the political process. Michelle Obama then made a similar revision of her remarks.
In her speech in Milwaukee, Michelle Obama said flatly, “For the first time in my adult lifetime, I am really proud of my country, and not just because Barack has done well, but because I think people are hungry for change.”
And what has been wrong with America up to now? That it gave Michelle the opportunity to attend Princeton and Harvard Law School? That it gave Barack Obama the chance to attend Harvard and Harvard Law School and become a U.S. senator making more than $1 million a year from book royalties?
Was it that America stopped Nazi Germany from continuing to murder millions of Jews? That America has provided Africa and other countries with $15 billion to combat the spread of AIDS/HIV and that another $30 billion is on the way? That 46 percent of all Americans classified by the Census Bureau as poor own their own homes, 76 percent of them have air conditioning, and 75 percent of them have at least one car? Or that America allows us to express our views freely without fear of being put in jail, as is the case in Russia?
A lawyer, Michelle Obama is perfectly capable of expressing herself precisely. In fact, she spoke from a written speech.
Those who do not want to believe she meant what she said — and that Barack Obama could not be so close to Rev. Wright if he did not himself believe in much of what he has said — are in denial.
The real Barack Obama is starting to emerge, and for those of us who are grateful to America for everything it represents, it is not a pretty sight.
Ronald Kessler is chief Washington
Posted by Leon Pollock on February 21, 2008 at 7:41 PM
Posted on February 21, 2008 at 7:41 PM
You've got to be kidding!! A Muslim who won't even salute OUR flag---What have you done? My hope is that I hope the American people look at the real picture.
Posted by Cindy Andrews on February 21, 2008 at 7:42 PM
Posted on February 21, 2008 at 7:42 PM
Change To Win Way To Go. I was wondering when you guys would be heard from.The Hillary supporters have no clue what a disaster Bill's support for NAFTA has been for the American worker while exploiting the Third World as well.This is with no discernable gains other than spirialing profits for the mega corps at least until things become so unraveled that no one can afford to buy any of their products any more. The Public Sector unions like AFSCME and CSEA/PEF have their heads up their behinds with their pathetic endorsement of Hillary because they think the tax dollars they survive on are always going to be there.I want to join SEIU now and become even more involved.Help me out here.
Posted by R.A. Moffitt on February 21, 2008 at 7:45 PM
Posted on February 21, 2008 at 7:45 PM
Thank you very much for endorsing Barack Obama! I have been waiting for the Laborers International Union and hopefully they soon will. I hope every union makes sure all its local business agents are certified as voter registrars to register voters for the fall election.
I would also appreciate it if this blog had a moderator to correct factually untrue comments by posters. Barack Obama is a Christian and never has been a Muslim. Even if he were, it would make no differnce because being a loyal adherent to the Muslim faith is in no way incompatible with being a loyal American citizen. Anyway, we no longer have loyalty tests for public office, only a declaration that one will support and defend the constitution.
Posted by Jim McGough on February 21, 2008 at 7:48 PM
Posted on February 21, 2008 at 7:48 PM
Just like the tops in the AFL-CIO you split from, you're still stuck endorsing Democrats. We in the Canadian sections of the CTW unions endorse the New Democrats; why can you people not get behind a serious independent working-class campaign? McKinney for President!! Power to the People!
Posted by B. Ross Ashley on February 21, 2008 at 7:49 PM
Posted on February 21, 2008 at 7:49 PM
Senator Obama has been my candidate of choice since before he announced his candidacy, and I have seen nothing since then to change my mind. He possesses an active intelligence that approaches each problem not by asking what has always been done in such a situation, but to see what kind of solution may actively be applied. Just because something has always been done a certain way does not mean that he will do it that way, and THAT is what we need in America right now so we salvage our democracy and return this nation to its rightful place as an example for the rest of the world to follow. This is a man whose time has come and that time is now.
Posted by John Zimmermann on February 21, 2008 at 7:53 PM
Posted on February 21, 2008 at 7:53 PM
I am deeply disappointed in your choice of Obama -- a choice of style over substance.
Hillary has the substance -- the experience, the judgement, the gravitas.
I am a lifelong Democrat and have always voted for the Democratic candidate for President, but if Obama is that candidate, I will NOT vote for him. I will vote for John McCain (a moderate even though he needs to appear more conservative to win over the extreme right wing of his party).
Posted by Rev. M. Mallner on February 21, 2008 at 7:53 PM
Posted on February 21, 2008 at 7:53 PM
When you could have chosen a Democratic candidate who was unabashedly ready to take on the corporate and entrenched interests in Washington, you chose not.
When you could have made an actual difference in the primaries, you chose not to.
Congratulations, Change To Win. You have chosen to be about winning rather than serious transformational change. Please don't call me later when your chosen candidate has let you down.
Posted by edgery on February 21, 2008 at 7:54 PM
Posted on February 21, 2008 at 7:54 PM
I feel that I owe a vote for Obama to Martin Luther King who gave his life for equality. With Obama as President, that would be the next step and I cannot imagine a more powerful step.
Posted by June Swan on February 21, 2008 at 8:08 PM
Posted on February 21, 2008 at 8:08 PM
Muslim? It is my understanding that has been refuted. Go to http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/muslim.asp . To repeat this falsehood is a great disservice to all of us.
Posted by Kenneth Mattos on February 21, 2008 at 8:25 PM
Posted on February 21, 2008 at 8:25 PM
Bravo, CTW! It takes courage and conviction to stand up and say "it's time for a change." That's what the labor movement has been about since it began.
Those who hold to small-minded, bigoted attacks against Obama need to check their facts. I'm sure the members of the Trinity Church of Christ (where Barack and his family worship) would be shocked to find that they are Muslims who can have no allegiance to the U.S. and who refuse to salute the flag.
This is not only an insult to Senator Obama and his family but to every Muslim, Christian and agnostic who believes in tolerance, freedom of religion and acceptance of others. Perhaps some of these "real Americans" need to go back to school and study the Constituion, the Declaration of Independence and the REAL history of the United States of America.
Get REAL! Real Americans are open-minded, inclusive and accepting of others. I am proud to be a real American!
Posted by Debra on February 21, 2008 at 8:28 PM
Posted on February 21, 2008 at 8:28 PM
I try not to get too involved in the comment threads unless somebody posts information that is clearly libelous or defamatory. We value the free flow of ideas and opinions, and heavy moderation tends to stifle that. Besides, as you can see, other commenters have already corrected the "Obama is a Muslim" nonsense.
However, if it will help clear things up, here is a metric ton of proof that Senator Obama is not a Muslim.
http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/obama/699995,obamachurch121607.article
http://urbanlegends.about.com/library/bl_barack_obama_muslim.htm
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1007/6314.html
http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/01/22/obama.madrassa/
http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/muslim.asp
http://www.barackobama.com/factcheck/2007/11/12/obama_has_never_been_a_muslim_1.php
We now return you to your regularly scheduled flame war :-)
Posted by Jason Lefkowitz on February 21, 2008 at 8:40 PM
Posted on February 21, 2008 at 8:40 PM
I am a teamster. I am a retired army veteran. I am white. I am american. I am an Independent who voted for George Bush twice. Above all I am one of GOD's children. I believe it's time we unite. The only candidate that can help us do this is Barrack Obama. Experienced or not. My forefathers did not know what to expect when they left thier motherland to form this country. But I'm positive they did not want our beloved and greatest land to be governed the way it has been now. This is no time for predjudiced and no time for status quo. Barrack is not status quo. He will bring change and I believe it will be for the better. I am proud to support the "Change to Win" endorsement.
Posted by Michael L. Eppler on February 21, 2008 at 8:54 PM
Posted on February 21, 2008 at 8:54 PM
Barack talks about change. But he believes in the Free Trade agreement. How has that helped the labor industry? This was a very foolish step to endorse so early. Obama has become a cult figure and people are following like lemmings. His wife sounds a bit racist and he mouths the same ideas over and over. I don't think he is very knowledgeable about the issues and he certainly doesn't have the depth of understanding that Hillary has of how the world operates.
MY l guess is that he won't make any changes , or very few and I doubt they benefit me.
Posted by Jane Dal Pino on February 21, 2008 at 9:42 PM
Posted on February 21, 2008 at 9:42 PM
I am disappointed and angry. You too have decided to go "chic". You may have polled the people you turn to for actions before announcing your choice.
You chose to follow empty words. I hope you will not come to regret your decision.
Posted by Aliza Keddem on February 21, 2008 at 10:08 PM
Posted on February 21, 2008 at 10:08 PM
I am proud to say that I also support Barack Obama and am glad that "Change to Win" also is supporting him. Hillary Clinton touts her 35 years working for you and me, (the middle class). However, I am not seeing all that she says she has worked to give me. To me, she represents the "same old thing". Business as usual in Washington DC. Barack speaks of "Hope" and I believe in "Hope" as he does. I think Obama is sincere in saying that he will work for changing "politics as usual" in Washington DC. I also know that this is not something that will happen over night but I do believe that it will happen. The American People became complacent but I think they are ready to work for the change that is so desperately needed. Cudos to you for supporting the candidate that I think is going to be best for the hard work that is ahead of our future President.
Posted by Betty Ann Manock on February 21, 2008 at 10:25 PM
Posted on February 21, 2008 at 10:25 PM
I am mystified by the monniker of "Black Man" for Obama Barack when he is as much white as he is black. He has one white parent. What's the deal? I don't mean to be insensitive but is he just choosing which race to proclaim himself according to what is the most sensational and likely to get him votes? Is the media conveniently getting amnesia as well? We all know how much THEY like sensationalism! I think it's fine to support the candidate of your choice, but why are we focusing on one race to the exclusion of another? Everyone needs to stop calling him the "black" candidate. If the presidency isn't about race, but qualifications, then why is he being labeled this way at all?
Posted by Vanessa on February 21, 2008 at 11:05 PM
Posted on February 21, 2008 at 11:05 PM
I salute Change to Win for rejuvenating the US labor movement, and I salute your recognition that Barack Obama is the most likely candidate to rejuvenate the US progressive movement.
His speeches are inspiring, but more important he can think on his feet about key issues. I highly recommend the vid of him being interviewed at Google: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4yVlPqeZwo .
Hillary Clinton is a very smart person whose motivations and intentions are good. She would make a fine President.
However, I think Barack is more like Bill than Hillary is: he really does have a feel for the issues that blends reason and compassion.
In any event, this is shaping up to be an epoch-making election for American workers.
Posted by Rick Drain on February 21, 2008 at 11:11 PM
Posted on February 21, 2008 at 11:11 PM
Dear Change To Win these was a good choces to indose Barack he will be a good President I had a change to work on the camplain i Milwalkee on the 19th by walking the street and leaving fryler at the Home and i would do it again.
Again Good Chores
Denise
Posted by Denise on February 21, 2008 at 11:46 PM
Posted on February 21, 2008 at 11:46 PM
High "fallutin’" oratory (and a questionable one at that) is sufficient when one is preaching to a congregation in church. It’s even okay if all one wants is to excite activism. But such engagement when it is, at best a façade, for a vacuous or misinformed agenda is not merely deceitful; it is dangerous when all this lofty rhetoric fails to deliver reality.
Hillary Clinton has shown a progressive stance over the years, including her work with the Children's Defense Fund and a host of children's welfare issues. Her universal health care proposal, while not as far-reaching as that of Edwards, still goes a long way toward securing us universal health care -- health care coverage for everyone. Obama's proposal falls way short of anything decent and apparently relies on the goodwill of the health insurance industry -- a pipe dream by a naive candidate.
Hillary is not perfect -- but who is? I disagreed with her vote on the Iraq resolution in 2002, but 76 other senators voted along with her. Obama may be likable but, at best, he is naive.
We need a president who can address the ills we face as a country and as a world -- some of it the result of Bush's dismal presidency -- and deliver change, not just talk about it. Talk is cheap. And I'd rather have a work horse than a show horse!
As an African American myself, I would be elated to have one of my ethnicity aspire to the US presidency. Unfortunately, what we have here is a half-baked offering.
Sadly – most sadly – you at the lead of CtW apparently have become hapless, nitwit victims of a mindless, media frenzy. God help us – and save us from ourselves!
anozie abara
Posted by Anozie Abara on February 21, 2008 at 11:54 PM
Posted on February 21, 2008 at 11:54 PM
This is to early and we should have stuck to our guns and waited until we had a clear winner. Now that Hillary is targeting the super delegates and if she gets what she needs at the convention then once again labor will have an up hill battle. To early to tell but i think it was a bad move.
Posted by Joe on February 22, 2008 at 12:18 AM
Posted on February 22, 2008 at 12:18 AM
Good show! I have always voted republican. It's time for some change. I'll vote republican next time. Although, we must keep Russia and Iran from filling the power gap in Iraq. If we fail we will pay.
Posted by Gregory Kile on February 22, 2008 at 12:40 AM
Posted on February 22, 2008 at 12:40 AM
I don't care if he worships monkeys, this is a terrible mistake for our country!
Posted by obama wins WE LOSE on February 22, 2008 at 12:57 AM
Posted on February 22, 2008 at 12:57 AM
Congratulations CTW for a very brave and wise choice. I like Hillary fine and will vote for her in the general if she is our candidate, but she does not excite passion, energy or hope for our country like Obama does--just more of the status quo. I especially applaud Anna Burger and hope that NOW does not beat up on her for not endorsing Hillary. And to the whitewoman poster who said the only ones supporting this choice here are black I say baloney--I am a white, educated,middle aged FEMALE and could not be prouder to be supporting BARACK OBAMA!!!
YES WE CAN!
Posted by Cindy on February 22, 2008 at 9:58 AM
Posted on February 22, 2008 at 9:58 AM
Kudos for an excellent choice! Barack Obama excites, inspires and guess what, he's gonna win! (He can't lose, because we've got too much at stake here). The "Mo" he's creating isn't a "flash in the pan" either. This is for real, the real deal. I'm a white, middle aged (54) woman, and I haven't been this excited since I was a college student in the '70s. There you have it, my age and my educational background, and I'm proud to support Barack!
Posted by Debbie Lackowitz on February 22, 2008 at 10:18 AM
Posted on