This morning, we had a family affair bright and early at the Mellon Arena where the traditional Labor Day parade kicked off at 10 am. My husband and I went with our son and daughter-in-law (he is the business agent for the local IATSE local), and my sister and her niece. We got their early for a campaign rally for former Senator John Edwards.
The crowd was electric -- several hundred including people who had traveled from nearby Ohio, West Virginia and Central PA, according to the International President of the United Steelworkers, Leo Girard. The USW -- and the United Mineworkers of America -- gave their strong support to Senator Edwards with their membership's blessing. These are two very powerful endorsements both because of the workers they represent and because the members are in key primary states AND key general election battleground states.
The crowd was really pumped up about Edwards because of his strong support for univeral health care, and their central theme: Edwards is the only candidate with a specific health care plan and someone who has spent years taking on the healthcare lobby who is not afraid of the groups that killed health care reform 15 years ago. We overheard many in the crowd talk about how impressed they were with Edwards and his strong support to fix healthcare.
The USW has 1.2 million members (active and retired) across the U.S. He said, "Senator Edwards has seen first hand the damage unregulated trade has done to people he knows and loves. He is commited to changing entrenched trade policies that export American jobs to low wage countries where they exploit third world workers and the environment just to fatten multinationals profits, instead of lifting all workers' wages and creating American jobs. He has laid out a plan that will lead to universal health care for every American and will cut costs for everyone--from those who have health insurance through collective bargaining to the 47 million Americans that are uninsured.
The USW conducted a large nationwide poll of the union's membership as well as a survey of its core activists. Girard told the crowd several times that he was "proud to say that our executive board voted UNANIMOUSLY to endorse John Edwards yesterday afternoon."
Cecil Roberts, President of the United Mineworkers of America was also there to announce his union's endorsement of Senator Edwards. This man is an unbelievably fired up speaker and will be a strong asset to the Edwards campaign as will his talk about the recent mine tragedies.
John Edwards was introduced by Steve Skvara, the USW worker who everyone who watched the AFL-CIO debate will remember...the worker who had to retire on medical leave after a serious car accident. Skvara retired with a pension from LTV Steel but he lost his pension when the company went bankrupt. He gives a very powerful speech for Edwards. (In interviews with the press after that debate Skvara was asked if he endorsed any candidate at that time and he said he hadn't made up his mind). Today, Steve Skvara is a poignmant reminder of what he says, "is wrong with American and what is right with America."
I have to say that I have been leaning strongly towards John Edwards and today's rally sealed my opinion. In my estimation, he is the strongest candidate to win in middle America and he has the message that everyone can understand personally. We would not be mired in the Bush Administration's mess today if Kerry/Edwards had won Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky. Edwards also noted in his speech that he will battle for the Presidency in every state including the South. Those of us who worked so hard on the Kerry/Edwards campaign know how disappointing it was that Virginia was not considered a winable state.
Having grown up here in "Steel Country" I can't overemphasize the importance of getting the steelworkers and the mineworkers to support the Democratic candidate in both the primary and the general election. The mineworkers are really fighting mad about the recent mine tragedies and believe me they are ready to fight like hell to win.
On a personal note, it was nice to talk briefly and get a picture with Elizabeth Edwards who looks great and stayed in Pittsburgh to march in the parade. John left for Iowa and we were able to catch a quick goodbye kiss before they split directions! I also finally met my new Congressman Jason Altmire. When we moved to NVA 21 years ago, we had a Republican Congressman until Jim Moran was elected. Two short years later, we were redistricted into Tom Davis's district. How great it is to have a Democratic Congressman again and to be able to register to vote as a Democrat!!! Almire defeated Melissa Hart in 2006 as part of the Democrates takeover of the Congress so I will be working hard to make sure he gets re-elected in '08.
Happy Labor Day everyone!