October 3, 2007
Posted: October 3rd, 2007 05:00 PM ET

WASHINGTON (CNN) - Sen. Hillary Clinton, D- New York, was endorsed Wednesday by the American Federation of Teachers, a union that represents 1.4 million educators, healthcare professionals and government employees nationwide.

“Our members have told us that they want a leader they can trust to strengthen public education, increase access to healthcare, promote commonsense economic priorities and secure America’s place in the world,” said AFT President Edward McElroy said in a statement released by the union. “Hillary Clinton is that leader.”

The union said seven Democratic candidates sought the union’s backing.

"This means a lot to me personally, but also of course politically," Clinton said at the news conference announcing the endorsement.

The AFT said it will urge its members to try and help elect Clinton.

– CNN Assignment Editor Katy Byron

Filed under: Hillary Clinton


Anyone but Hillary   October 4th, 2007 10:27 am ET

Attention Republican Voters:

If you are unhappy with your pool of candidates and if you are angry that the media is marching toward a coronation of Hillary Clinton, you can make your voice heard and stop this from happening.

Republican voters can temporarily switch party affiliation in order to vote against Hillary Clinton in the primary elections. Check with your local Board of Elections for instructions as to how you do this and to check the deadlines.

Independent voters who are not allowed to vote in the primary elections can do the same thing.

therealist   October 4th, 2007 9:41 am ET

We are ranked last in industrialized nations and yet spend more than 3 times as much to educate our kids. The teachers union has completely failed our children and shamelessly continues to do so while attacking anything that might attach some responsibility to those dollars(NCLB), all to solidify their own retirements.

The teachers union DOES NOT view our children as the most important part of their job and their endorsement should be viewed with equal contempt. This I know from teachers themselves..

laurinda.ny   October 4th, 2007 8:46 am ET

LINDA FROM ARIZONA...Maybe all the teachers you know in Arizona are voting for Obama, but, here in N.Y. all the teachers I know are voting for Hillary. I heard that the colleges and universities are also pro- Hillary.

Reggie , Anaheim, Ca.   October 4th, 2007 1:30 am ET

I agree Hill has the lobbyist playing a big part in her game. Hill not reading the NIE report in 2002, tells
me that she and or anyone else who gave
king moron the audacity to invade Iraq.
Only to allow osama & the taliban to
regain strenth in Pakistan and in Afghanistan! Cannot be President! Hill & king moron can rely on leaving a awful legacy for years to come. Our Teachers Union needs new leadership bad!

ronnie - knoxville, tn.   October 3rd, 2007 10:14 pm ET

doesn't surprise... hillary, formerly anti-union while sitting on wal-mart's board, now fits right in with the labor movement. And as far as the teachers go, you notice how the only way children are going to get a better education is with more money; not with more dedication, more passion, more focus, more discipline, but only with higher salaries will our children's futures improve. Ha ! what a joke; these people are going to run our country into the ground with socialism if they get in.

Brian, Syracuse NY   October 3rd, 2007 10:08 pm ET

Only further proof that Hillary panders to special interests.

Texas   October 3rd, 2007 8:59 pm ET

I know plenty of teachers who are voting for Hillary- and none who back Obama. No, they didnt have a choice, because she is in a league of her own, and no other cnadidate could fill the role....and to Mr Henry Tucker- leave it to a man -to make a comment about a physical attribute (referring to canckles)- America is sick of this mentality, and that is why we will turn the tables, and let a woman clean up the mess made by shallow and arrogant men, who think they are mightier than thou- and rely on religious beliefs when it comes to making major political decisions

Jeff Spangler, Arlington, VA   October 3rd, 2007 8:09 pm ET

Unionized teachers are troglodyte Trotskite labor dinosaurs who have wrecked schools like the UAW has driven Detroit backrupt. A year's pay for nine months' or so of work is a rip of the taxpayer.

Frank Virginia Beach   October 3rd, 2007 7:57 pm ET

Did they have a choice?

Linda, Chandler AZ   October 3rd, 2007 7:30 pm ET

All the teachers I know are voting for Obama. This endorsement does not equal votes.

Henry Tucker, Ga   October 3rd, 2007 7:13 pm ET

Our members have told us that they want a leader they can trust to strengthen public education, increase access to healthcare, promote commonsense economic priorities and secure America’s place in the world,” said AFT President Edward McElroy said in a statement released by the union. “Hillary Clinton is that leader.”

In other words – the union wants someone who will pad their pockets – Hillary is the Special Interest Specialist! They picked the right girl.

Now if Hillary could just do something about her cankles...er.. I mean cackle.

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