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AFSCME International Executive Board Unanimously Endorses

Senator Barack Obama for President

The following is a special message from Executive Director David R. Fillman who served on

AFSCME International's Presidential Search Committee.

June 19:  Mike Fox and I voted today to endorse the democratic nominee, Sen. Barack Obama, for President of the United States.  This was a long, tough, close primary, but an exciting one.   Pennsylvania played a vital role in this historical primary and I couldn't be more proud of our membership.   Our decision to endorse Sen. Obama was not without serious consideration.   Immediately upon his attaining the requisite delegates needed for the nomination, AFSCME's Presidential Search Committee reconvened.  We looked at all the issues; we scrutinized the nominee's position on our issues and we came to an agreement with the Obama camp.  Now we will continue our fight to win back America for working families with confidence that Sen. Barack Obama will lead that fight.  As the general election heats up, John McCain is trying desperately to distance himself from George W. Bush.   But, we're not going to fall for it.   Working families cannot afford 4 more years of Bush's economic blunders at the hands of John McCain.  We must win back the White House in November.  For George W. Bush it's the end of an 'error' -- for the democratic party and with the leadership of Sen. Obama, its just the beginning. 

Mike Fox, AFSCME District Council 89 Director and AFSCME International Executive Board member, had this to say about today's decision: "During Pennsylvania's primary our members showed an energy and enthusiasm unequaled in our fight for issues important to working families.  Issues such as affordable health care, high energy costs and unaffordable higher education must be addressed in the upcoming general election.  Sen. Barack Obama has make a commitment to fight for those issues important to our membership and will continue his crusade for positive change.   We must defeat John McCain in November.  McCain's commitment to the failed policies of the Bush administration played a huge part in augmenting hardships against working families."