United Steelworkers Endorse Obama

This train is moving fast-very fast. Today, the United Steelworkers endorsed Obama. This development should be considered when evaluating the impact of the Edwards endorsement. Previously, the Steelworkers had endorsed Edwards and were critical to his campaign in Iowa. When we were in Des Moines in January, the hub for the Edwards campaign was the Steelworkers' Union Hall. (Just passed the train tracks where the remote control trains ran and there were no signals. But I digress.) I will forever associate Steelworker yellow with the Icy Iowa caucuses. They were a loyal, hardworking crew. Much tenacity.

Then, in February, after Edwards suspended his campaign, we were privileged to be at the Edwards' home for a dinner. The most touching moment of the evening was when the president of the Steelworkers, Leo W. Gerard, took the stage. He carried with him a statue of a steelworker, made, of course of steel. It was one of just six created by union members when the union was on a long, long strike. One of the six statues was for the Union Hall, and one for the President during that long, long winter. The other four were reserved to honor those in the future who fought for workers. The first of those four was given to John Edwards that night. It was the coolest moment. So appropriate.

I say all that to say this: The Steelworkers moved because Edwards moved.

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