Obama tops PEF endorsements
BySHERRYHALBROOK said.
ThePEFExecutiveBoardvoted PEFregionalpoliticalaction
overwhelminglyatitsJulymeetingto committees(PACs)interviewedcandidates
endorseBarackObamaforpresidentof runningtorepresentthoseregionsinthe
theUnitedStates. stateLegislatureorCongress.PEF’s
Obamahasbeenastrongsupporterof statewidePACconsideredthe
laborandwaspreviouslyendorsedby recommendationsoftheregionalPACs
PEF’sinternationalaffiliates,the andmadeitsownrecommendationsto
AmericanFederationofTeachers(AFT) thePEFExecutiveBoard,whichmadethe
andtheServiceEmployeesInternational endorsements.
Union(SEIU). Whilecandidateswereweighedontheir
“WeareconfidentBarackObamawill ownmerits,theboardalsoconsidered
beastrongadvocateforthehard-working broaderpoliticalstrategies,especially
menandwomenofthiscountry,”said wherepartisanvotinghasplayedarolein
PEFPresidentKenBrynien. crucialvotes,suchasinCongress.
“Asasenator,Obamahas “Wehavetorecognizelawmakersare
demonstratedhissupportforamoreopen undertremendouspressuretovotewith
andaccountablegovernment,working
familiesandcivilrights—allissues
importanttoourmembers.
OBAMA
theirparties,”Foxsaid,“andthemajority
partyleaderscontrolthecommitteesand
whichbillscanreachthefloorforavote.
“Sen.Obamahasconsistently “It’simportanttohavethatpowerin
supportedfederalprogramsthatprovide
“Ourmembersareseasoned,skillful,
thehandsofpeoplewhovaluepublic
criticalfundingtoNewYorkstate.These
energeticactivistswhoarereadytogetout
serviceandwhoappreciatetherightsand
federalfundsensureourmemberscan
andcampaignfortheleadersandissues
needsofworkingAmericansandtheir
continuetoprovidethevitalserviceson
thatmattertous,”saidPEFVice
families,”Foxsaid.“It’salottoconsider,
whichNewYorkersrely,”Bryniensaid.
PresidentJoeFox,whochairsPEF’s
soweputabigeffortintomakingthebest
PEFpreviouslyendorsedNewYork
politicalactionefforts.“Wecountonthem
endorsementswecanonbehalfofour
Sen.HillaryClintonforpresidentand
tovolunteerandworkhardforObama
members.”
hundredsofmembersturnedoutto
andmanyothercandidatesPEFhas
It’snowuptoPEFmembers,
supportherasshesoughttowin
endorsedin
hesaid,topush
primariesinNewYork,NewHampshire
congressionaland
Obamaandtheother
andPennsylvania.AlthoughClintonwon
statelegislativeraces.
PEF-endorsed
thoseprimariesshecameupshortintotal
“Aspublic
candidatesoverthe
delegatesupportheadingintothe
employees,weare
top.
Democraticconventionandbowedoutof
keenlyawareofwhat
“Someofthe
therace,askinghersupporterstoback
atremendouseffect
candidatesarefacing
Obama.
legislation,leadership
toughprimarybattles
andpublicpolicycan
September9and
haveonourlives,and
needhelp
thoseofourfamilies
immediately,”Curran
andcommunitiesas
said.“Pleasemake
well,”Foxadded.“We
sureyouare
knowfartoomuchis
registeredtovoteand
atstakeheretostand
gotothepollson
backandbesilent.
electionday.Ifyou
Thisisthetimewhen
mustbeoutoftown
everyvoiceandevery
onprimaryorelection
votecountsthe
day,getandsubmit
most.”
anabsenteeballot.
PEFLegislative
“Meanwhile,
DirectorBrian
contactyourregional
Curransaidmany
PEFofficeandletthemknowyouare
morecongressionalseatsarebeing
readytovolunteer.Thatcouldmean
hotlycontestedthisyear.
phoningvoters,takingelection
“Asalways,PEFhasendorsed
materialsdoor-to-door,preparing
LEARNING—PEFRetireesmembers
candidatesfrombothpartiesbasedon
mailings,postingcampaignsigns,
SueandDonPrzybylandDaveClaydon
thecandidates’individualvoting
handingoutcampaignliterature,
takenotesatJulypolitica
—
l
P
tr
h
a
o
i
t
n
o
i
b
n
y
g
J
.
im Adsit
records,positions,effectivenessand
supportingcandidatesatrallies,
willingnesstosupportourissues,”Fox
Page4—TheCommunicatorSeptember2008 PEFInformationLine:1-800-553-2445
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28