October 31, 2007
Posted: 02:05 PM ET

Clinton scored a big endorsement Wednesday.

WASHINGTON (CNN) — Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton received the endorsement of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Wednesday.

The union’s endorsement was one of the most sought after by Democratic presidential hopefuls, and with another influential union — the Service Employees International Union — refraining from granting a national endorsement, AFSCME’s nod becomes an even greater prize.

Donning a pair of red boxing gloves while accepting the endorsement, the senator from New York told the audience, "when it comes to fighting for America's families, I'll go 10 rounds with anybody."

AFSCME President Gerald McEntee told the audience that "this is no time to take chances. We need someone who knows how to fight and indeed knows how to win."

"Sen. Clinton is a season fighter," continued McEntee. "Believe me, she knows how to fight and she knows how to win."

AFSCME has a membership of 1.4 million people and provides the Democratic frontruner with another major union endorsement. Clinton has already received the backing of the American Federation of Teachers, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, and Allied Craftworkers, and the United Transportation Union, among others.

Union endorsements play an important role in presidential campaigns, often leading to an infusion of support for the campaigns — especially in the form of ground troops to help get out the vote efforts.

But union endorsements don't necessarily lead to victory on Election Day. AFSCME and SEIU both endorsed then-Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean for president in 2004. Two months later, after defeats in Iowa and New Hampshire, and poor showings in several other states, Dean dropped out of the race for the White House.

– CNN’s Xuan Thai and Paul Steinhauser

Filed under: Hillary Clinton


Tom - Dedham, Mass   November 2nd, 2007 1:24 pm ET

Those union teachers actually gave you a diploma.

Geo tus oh   November 1st, 2007 8:38 am ET

Non union workers owe any benifits they may recive on their jobs, laws aginst sweet shops, higher standards of living, prevailing wage (etc.) to the unions who fought for them. So all you scabs thank the unions.

bprossersme   November 1st, 2007 8:13 am ET

Big Union sent work overseas with big salaries and outrageously high hourly wages, breaking the backs of U.S. employers.

Carol, Granite Bay, CA   November 1st, 2007 1:52 am ET

Hilary Clinton is consumed by power. Her ego is larger than Bill's and that is something to say. Just because she is consumed by power, doesn't mean she will be elected to the highest office in the US. Here's the deal – When Hilary finds truth, speaks from a place of truth, that is when she might have a chance as US President, but not until then. And by the looks of her track record, truth is not in her vocabulary, which is such a shame because she is a bright woman with an awful, searing laugh. Find truth Hilary, speak truth and only then will you receive female supporters coming out of the woodwork for you.

Last nights debate was a great example of Hilary OFF-TRACK-FROM-TRUTH, so sad.

Anne, York, PA   October 31st, 2007 8:36 pm ET

I'm so sick of Hillary all the time, 24/7! John Edwards received the endorsment of the New Hampshire SEIU yesterday, bringing to 12 the number of state chapters of SEIU endorsing him and over one million members. He also has received endorsements by several other unions. Why doesn't the media cover these endorsements?

Enoch, Salt Lake City, Utah   October 31st, 2007 7:54 pm ET

Hopefully Americans are smart enough to realize that if "she learned everything she needed" from her husband then she's the worst candidate on the potential ballot. Hillary is a liar, a cheat and because she has money and an influential husband she has avoided jail time when the rest of us would have been put away years ago. She is the epitomy of two-faced, pat you no the head with one hand and stab you in the back with the other which ever is better for her personally. In the end that is Hillary the "true Hillary" she does what is best for her regardless of how it affects anyone else. How can i say this? As she said, she learned all she needed to know from her husband. Enough said.

Rex, Toledo, Ohio   October 31st, 2007 7:29 pm ET

Union backing a Dem? You betcha. But not just any Dem. That's Hillary "across the aisle" Clinton. A vote for her is a vote for the GOP. Believe that.

ga   October 31st, 2007 7:27 pm ET

If she gets elected it will be an open ticket for the "First Gentleman" to host cocktail parties for all the new white house pages — complimentary cigars for all the young ladies with blue dresses

Ben   October 31st, 2007 7:25 pm ET

Unions are lobbies. They have Hillary in their back pocket. No news here.

blair   October 31st, 2007 7:24 pm ET

I know one thing Hillary never abandons Children,never has she ever,done that.i think she is a fighter,and she sticks with the issues,you got 2 other guys attacking a fellow democrat,when she says bush 25 times.one wont admit his religious background from childhood as a muslim,and one who blinks a thousand times,points fingers,deep inside he's hiding his true colors,i think Mr Edwards was in a jury trial last night,Oh i got a big case I gotta fight Mrs. Clinton.you did no harm,go home.And I wanna tell you something Obomp has missed 38 votes ,and one was the k/l act,he should have no say so,even if he didnt support it,he hid out.Senator Obomp is not supporting his duties like all the others canidates,in the senate elected from the State of Illinois.honest abe my bUTT.

Sarah, Rocklin, CA   October 31st, 2007 7:22 pm ET

No matter how hard I try to support HRC for President, looking at her face, looking into her eyes, all I see is her political baggage, I can't bring myself to vote for her for US President. I am too conscious of a human being, far to awake and present to vote Hilary. She is NOT what this country needs especially right now.

(I hope CNN will embrace and post this wisdom)

an,ga   October 31st, 2007 7:00 pm ET

after 10 rounds she will be one bleed democrat,plus it might help her looks some to.Season fighter-more like fair weather(or should say unfair)knows how to fight (dirty)knows how to win (no just good at cheating) president Hillaire Clinton (the sound of it spells doom.

TAUREAN, CHICAGO,IL   October 31st, 2007 6:13 pm ET

JUST WHEN THEY THOUGHT SHE WAS KNOCKED DOWN SHE GETS A HUGE ENDORSEMENT. GO HILLARY!!! PLUS I WOULD NEVER VOTE FOR EDWARDS THE PHONY WHO THINK'S THE WAR ON TERROR IS A BUMPER STICKER.

Jesse, Burnsville, MN   October 31st, 2007 5:52 pm ET

Many of us "haters", g from FL, are Democrats that will NOT support Clinton should she win the nomination. In many ways, I feel that the Democratic Party has abandoned its principles and the nomination of Hillary would just be another sign of that. She is pro-war, pro-corporation, pro-lobbyist, etc. I mean, what in the world can you Clinton supporters be thinking?? I'm very ready to have a woman president, but I don't want that woman to be a dictator. We have already lived under a dictatorship for the past 7 years. We don't need it anymore.

Edwards/Obama '08

JB Boston MA   October 31st, 2007 5:39 pm ET

Tom-

"get in line"

How about NO. I don't like her, don't like her husband becasue he is sexual predator (different than adulterer)(not a bad prez though), and she stayed with him even though she new this.

Hill fans keep saying we should shut up. How about No. I will do everything I can to make sure she doesn't get the nod. Why, because if she does, then we are looking at another four years with a Republican. I am ready for a democrat.

Why not stop trying to force someone down the throats of people, and choose someone that isn't hated by 48% of the country. She divides, not unites.

You Hill fans never address her negative numbers. You never address the fact that she says one thing to dem audiences, and other things to the general election audiences. Accuses people of being naive, then adopts their positions.

You know what, she may have made a great President if she was not so unliked by other politicians and the general public. But we will never know becasue she is despised by other politicians and therefore will not be able to unite the two parties. And we have seen, without the two parties talking and compromising, NOTHING gets done.

Tom, ALBUQUERQUE, NM   October 31st, 2007 5:18 pm ET

We all will be awaken soon to the reality of Hillary Clinton's Presidency. It is a FAIT ACCOMPLI that she will get the nomination and ultimately the oval office. Let us all get in line and stop badgering her, OK.

G, Margate, FL   October 31st, 2007 5:17 pm ET

All of you haters need to get a life, she will be the next president.
go Mrs Clinton.
president Hillary Clinton for 8 yrs
president Hillary Clinton for 8 yrs
president Hillary Clinton for 8 yrs
president Hillary Clinton for 8 yrs

nancy,nyc,ny   October 31st, 2007 5:10 pm ET

Obama got Big endorsement yesterday but you will never see that on ticker!
what is fair reporting in this country?

Matt, Chicago   October 31st, 2007 4:57 pm ET

Chris – Blaming UAW, as opposed to the archaic policies + practices of the Auto Companies themselves for a lack of competitiveness is ridiculous.

I see your hateful rants on here enough – you must have a job with a lot paid leave. Ironic you hate organized labor.

Bob, Seattle, WA   October 31st, 2007 4:51 pm ET

An amazing reward for the sleight of hand Clintons. After all it was Bubba who signed away protections for American workers when he signed the North American Free Trade Agreement. Does anybody remember? Hillary was there. She remembers. She touts the fact that she 'learned' everything she needs to know from her hubby. This is where she got her 'experience'. The unions just want their backsides greased because conservatives are tired of unions who have out lived their usefulness. The only people in the union who are going to the bank are the heads of those unions and their staffers who are legion. What a sham.

Doug, New Jersey   October 31st, 2007 4:49 pm ET

I have heard from many friends who were in unions that they would get punished for working too hard. Seems to go perfectly with the Democratic party who punishes Americans who work too hard by stealing their money and giving it to crack-smoking unemployed losers who are part of the Democratic parties loyal entitlement class.

nancy,boston,mass   October 31st, 2007 4:48 pm ET

Can CNN also say Obama got Big endorsement from New Hempshire, cmon now!

RAINIE FT MYERS, FL   October 31st, 2007 4:27 pm ET

WORKED UNION FOR 30 YEARS..HAD MORE OPPORTUNITIES BECAUSE I WAS INVOLVED. IT IS A DEMOCRATIC ASSOCIATION..MEANING, ONE CAN PARTICIPATE IN MANY DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES AND VOTE ON ISSUES THAT AFFECT THEIR LOCAL. WITH ATTITUDES LIKE SOME OF YOU HAVE DISPLAYED, THE UNION NEEDS TO START ORGANIZING AGAIN

Maxx Angelo, Chicago, IL   October 31st, 2007 4:21 pm ET

Folks, if you don't like Clinton, save us the hatred, wrap it up, and shove it up your rears.

You Go Girl and May God Be With You to the End.

Daniel, NY   October 31st, 2007 4:12 pm ET

Definitely good news for Clinton to recover from her weak general election poll numbers released today, and, naturally, from her barely staying afloat at the debate yesterday.

Lee, Ann Arbor, Michigan   October 31st, 2007 4:06 pm ET

No matter how much CNN tries to push Hillary and Bill, enough of a MAJORITY of American's want NO MORE of the Clinton's.

No matter how many people from Hillary's campaign write gracious and glorious blogs here, a MAJORITY of American's DON'T WANT HILLARY AS PRESIDENT!!!

Keep pushing her forward, CNN and you Hillary lovers, but SHE CANNOT WIN THE PRESIDENCY. Period. Over 50% of the voters WILL NOT VOTE FOR HER.

She can play the victim, the "oh I had it so bad" childhood, oh "the right wing conspiracy is after me," on and on, but Over 50% of the voters WILL NOT VOTE FOR HER.

Dan (Columbia, MD)   October 31st, 2007 4:03 pm ET

I'm soooo happy I'm not a member of a union.

S. Wright   October 31st, 2007 3:47 pm ET

Awwwwww, now ain't that nice? A big union pulling for a Socialist.

Karl Marx and Lenin would be so proud.

Robert, Cleveland, OH   October 31st, 2007 3:47 pm ET

I watched the debates. I felt sorry for Richardson (I guess it is more and more clear, he's eying VP position in Clinton ticket the same way Edwards was eying it in 2004 and thus was avoiding personal attacks), they didn't ask him much questions. Biden/Dodd and, in particular Kucinich are clear "also runs" so who cares. But Obama's and Edwards attacks were more appropriate for general elections debates (who's in general election mode?) with clear desperation from inability to shake Clinton. A lot of personal attacks or blowing a "no issues" into the major problems. Clinton appeared deliberately avoiding messing into the fight. Overall, this reminded me a couple of lap-dogs running around the legs of a lion – with the same effect.
Hillary 2008

therealist   October 31st, 2007 3:47 pm ET

Big unions and Democrats. America's true culture of corruption..

Michael Torrance, CA   October 31st, 2007 3:45 pm ET

Having the endorsement of the fed, county and city freeloaders is not a glowing endorsement. I'm sure most of the people in these unions love it because they can do absolutely nothing and get paid way too much money to do it. Just like the democrats feel compelled to hand out everything to other people who just imagine they're in these unions, do absolutely nothing and feel that they should get paid too.

Tom, New York, NY   October 31st, 2007 3:40 pm ET

Ron, from TX, I thought polls were not to be believed this early in the race…. and the only thing that will matter is the votes… so why now are you quoting the polls? hypocritical? plus, most of the reviews I have read and/or watched seem to indicate that Hillary Clinton stayed above the attacks that Edwards and Obama (the politics of HOPE… wasn't that one of their many changing slogans?) and in the long run, unless there was a knock out punch on a major issue, it only makes the leader look stronger? oh well….keep that HOPE going…

Tom, New York, NY   October 31st, 2007 3:29 pm ET

way to go Hillary….just stay your course….stay above the attacks on your honesty and integrity by the other candidates..and just keep focused on telling us your plans for the future of America…and you will continue to gain the confidence and support of large groups of people like this union….

Ron, TX   October 31st, 2007 3:20 pm ET

AFSCME President Gerald McEntee told the audience that "this is no time to take chances. We need someone who knows how to fight and indeed knows how to win."

"Sen. Clinton is a season fighter," continued McEntee. "Believe me, she knows how to fight and she knows how to win."

———–

Yeah, she sure proved that last night at the debate where she got blasted from every direction. A poll of over 65,000 people so far on MSNBC doesn't exactly paint the picture of a winner. 65% thinks she dodged questions. 57% thinks she sounded like a recorded player. She's either tied or 1% ahead on every positive question with Barack Obama.

During last night's debate, she said:
Clinton: No, I didn't say that, Tim. I said that I'm in favor of doing something about the AMT. How we do it and how we put the package together everybody knows is extremely complicated….And there are a lot of moving pieces here….There's a lot of moving parts. So I'm not going to get committed to a specific approach…

Way to pick a side Hillary! That's not the kind of -leadership- we need to change Washington.

nelson Colorado Springs Co   October 31st, 2007 3:18 pm ET

Union endorsements play an important role in presidential campaigns union endorsements, But don't necessarily lead to victory on Election Day. Sen Clinton haven't said to much or other candidate said anything thing about keeping job in America. Or trying to slow down imports that are taking jobs

Jeff Spangler, Arlington, VA   October 31st, 2007 3:07 pm ET

"Someone who knows how to fight and indeed knows how to win"? Her own pollsters must tell her what Senator told did last night– that 50% is the _most_ popoular vote she can hope for, and that ain't a winner. It's a death wish, but labor is well-practiced in that department.

speedracer Cleveland, OH   October 31st, 2007 3:00 pm ET

They apparently made the decision before her dismal performace in last night's debate.

Chris, Middletown, CT   October 31st, 2007 2:57 pm ET

Wow….remember when unions were needed….back in the 1920's….now they escalate our taxes (with payments to the teachers union…without merit based pay…which they fight) – then they make us non-competitive in the world economy -(ask Detriot….thanks UAW) – and they have infiltrated our municipalities….with state employees able to retire with full benefits…wonder who pays for this…yep….we do…Unions time has come and gone….same as Hillary – she had her 15 minutes of socialist fame….she's done now

Terry Tacoma, Wa   October 31st, 2007 2:53 pm ET

Union endorsing a Democrat?? NOOOOO.

I still don't understand these unions backing Hillary. She supports NAFTA (exports jobs – hurting unions). She doesn't want to deport illegal immigrants (driving down the cost of labor).

The only rationale I can possibly see: Hillary will attempt to fast-track legalization of illegal immigrants who will then promptly join unions. Hillary get's 10-15 million more "voting" constituents and unions line their pockets.

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