IAFF to endorse Chris Dodd for president!

Whoah! (4.00 / 4)

I remember how helpful they were to Kerry in 2004 (much to my grumpiness, since I was for Dean).

A very visible, very strong presence, coming into the primary, I seem to remember.

Wonder if Sununu's fired now.

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by: Dean Barker @ Mon Aug 27, 2007 at 19:11:13 PM CDT

Kinda outa the blue, eh? (0.00 / 0)

There's still lots of time before the primary. Let's see what this does from here on out. Predictions?

"Seventy percent of Americans want our troops out of Iraq and two pro-war candidates win the NH Primary. If that doesn't tell you how f-ed up the system is, what does?"

- Matt Taibbi, Rolling Stone

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by: NH Ex-pat @ Mon Aug 27, 2007 at 20:21:44 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Trapper John says it better than I can: (4.00 / 2)

This is what I meant by the above comment:

The IAFF is generally considered one of the most politically active and influential unions, along with a few of the building trades and the much larger AFSCME and SEIU.  They punch well above their weight in part because of who they are -- who doesn't respect and honor firefighters? -- and in part because they take political action extremely seriously, from their leadership down to the firehouses.  They provide boots on the ground, t-shirts and signs at rallies, and a real sense of vitality to a campaign. This last factor is perhaps the most important to Dodd, as he needed something to differentiate himself from the rest of the sinking second tier.  The IAFF endorsement is a big something.

Just one union endorsed John Kerry in the 2004 primaries -- the IAFF.  And there's little question that their gung ho effort on his behalf, at a time when just about everyone not named Teresa had written him off, played at least some part in his unlikely resurrection.  Whether the union can help Dodd achieve an even more improbable rise remains to be seen -- even now, I have a hard time figuring out just how Dodd clears a path to the nomination.  But today, at least, the Dodd campaign might see just a sliver of daylight.

Wonder if Sununu's fired now.

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by: Dean Barker @ Tue Aug 28, 2007 at 18:20:26 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Everybody's second choice. (4.00 / 1)

That's my impression so far.  Chris Dodd is everybody's second choice and, if my understanding of IRV voting is correct, that would probably be decisive for him under that system. 
Some Iowans claim that their caucus system in a modified IRV and that the top THREE places are important. FWIW

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by: hannah @ Tue Aug 28, 2007 at 10:11:47 AM CDT

IRV (0.00 / 0)

http://www.fairvote....

I'm not sure I buy into instant runoff voting and its purported fairness, but I do agree that Iowa's top three are important.

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by: JimC @ Tue Aug 28, 2007 at 11:51:51 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

I do (0.00 / 0)

The Vermont state legislature passed IRV this year but Governor Jim Douglas vetoed it and the Dems didn't have enough votes to overide it. Burlington, Vermont has IRV and the results have been positive. Voting is more exciting, you  get to participate more as a voter, and those intelligent, well-qualified second tier candidates get a more reasonable shot at potentially winning. Last year Burlington voted in Bob Kiss for Mayor (from the Progressive Party) and he's done well. Even though he's from the Progressive Party, a Democrat with a much different platform could also make it work as well, provided he/she's got x, y, and z to get eought of the vote.

The Vermont legislature will bring it up again next session. Stay tuned. Why not in NH? This would be great for New Hampshire!

"Seventy percent of Americans want our troops out of Iraq and two pro-war candidates win the NH Primary. If that doesn't tell you how f-ed up the system is, what does?"

- Matt Taibbi, Rolling Stone

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by: NH Ex-pat @ Tue Aug 28, 2007 at 12:23:54 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

What's good for Vermont... (4.00 / 1)

...is not necessarily great for, or sensible for, New Hamphire. We have a legislature of 400, as well as about 80 county officials, so a lot of people get a reasonable shot at serving already. 

"When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on."  Franklin D. Roosevelt   [I'm an advisor to the NHDP Coordinated Campaign]

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by: Kathy Sullivan 2 @ Tue Aug 28, 2007 at 12:41:14 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I'm going to start a new thread (4.00 / 1)

This is interesting, but I feel like it's off the Dodd topic. I've been yelling at people at BMG for "hijacking" threads, so I don't want to do it here.

After lunch, I'll set it up, unless somebody else gets there first.

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by: JimC @ Tue Aug 28, 2007 at 12:42:41 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Yelling at "Highjackers" (0.00 / 0)

You're gonna need a knew voice box by Nov.1st.

A crappy tactic, but oft employed.

Good luck with your endeavors.

SGS is Jack Mitchell of Lowell, MA. The symbolism of the "sleeping giant" is based on my HOPE for America.

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by: Sleeping Giant Stirs @ Tue Aug 28, 2007 at 12:49:45 PM CDT

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Thanks (0.00 / 0)

n/t

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by: JimC @ Tue Aug 28, 2007 at 14:06:43 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Simultaneous typing (0.00 / 0)

Naturally I would defer to the chair emerita, if this were to become an IRV thread.

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by: JimC @ Tue Aug 28, 2007 at 12:50:39 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I LOVE Firefighters! (4.00 / 3)

I was speaking to Andy Stern of SEIU a few weeks ago and he compared the primaries to roller derby: eventually someone from the back of the pack slips (or gets pulled) through to the front. This may be Dodd's moment. About time. Will this win Senator Dodd the nomination? Not in and of itself. It will get some undecideds to take another look and maybe get some people to consider moving their #2 up the ladder. As a Dodd supporter *and* a Union member I couldn't be happier.

Justica para todos.  Justice for all.  Pass it on.

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by: Beth Campbell @ Tue Aug 28, 2007 at 13:05:15 PM CDT

Why Dodd? (0.00 / 0)

"As a Dodd supporter *and* a Union member I couldn't be happier."

Why?

I'm not being flip. I simply don't know much about Dodd. But I'd like to know more. So tell me; why would a union endorse Dodd over Edwards, Obama, etc.?

Not as smart as I think I am, but not as dumb as I look.

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by: epm @ Tue Aug 28, 2007 at 15:51:22 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Dodd's Legislative Record (4.00 / 1)

Dodd's record of supportive legislation probably has something to do with it.  see here

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by: hannah @ Wed Aug 29, 2007 at 04:38:03 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

All of them ? (4.00 / 1)

to continue the Roller Derby image
...or some tough broad bumps the shit out of them and whipsaws them over the rail

you remind me of the old saw...
"She only had two loves, the Army and the Navy "

Next time, there may be no next time.

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by: Jon Bresler @ Tue Aug 28, 2007 at 22:43:22 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Just the ones who support my candidate or save my husband (0.00 / 0)

Jon Jon Jon whatever are we going to do with you? 

Hearing the news of the Firefighters' endorsement of Dodd on the same day that 6 of them just happen to respond to my 911 call (Doug's ok) qualifies as true love.

To epm:  I, as a Union member, support Dodd for his longtime support of workers.  His Family Medical Leave Legislation (for one) has made it possible for workers facing catastrophic illness (theirs or a dependant's) to take leave beyond what they've accumulated on the job without losing that job OR their health insurance.

Why not Edwards or Obama?  Obama is still learning about Labor issues.  Edwards, who as we all know, was the son of a millworker, wasn't in the Senate long enough to develop a strong Labor resume IMHO. 

Justica para todos.  Justice for all.  Pass it on.

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by: Beth Campbell @ Wed Aug 29, 2007 at 06:22:41 AM CDT

[ Parent ]