Nevada Unions Endorse Obama

By: Brian Montopoli
Topics: Labor

As expected, Barack Obama has secured endorsements from the 60,000-member Culinary Workers Union in Nevada and the Nevada chapter of the Service Employees International Union, the Associated Press reports.

With Obama having won the Iowa caucuses and Hillary Clinton taking the New Hampshire primary, Nevada's caucuses take on an added importance. The Nevada SEIU claims to have 17,500 members, and the support of both unions could be a boost to Obama in the Jan. 19th caucuses.

"The culinary union, representing hotel, restaurant and laundry workers in Nevada's casino industry, is the largest and best organized labor group in the state," AP writes. "It has the ability to steer thousands of voters to the state's Jan. 19 caucus and turn an already competitive three-way scramble for supporters into an all-out ground-level frenzy."

In a statement, SEIU Executive Director Jane McAlevey said this:

"Nevada is a caucus state, and as Obama showed in Iowa, organization of every precinct is key to winning. SEIU Nevada members from Reno to Elko to Las Vegas are ready to make a difference in this state for our candidate."

The endorsement means that SEIU unions in other states are permitted to work with their Nevada counterpart on Obama's behalf in the state.

*This post has been updated with news of the Culinary Workers Union endorsement.

Brian Montopoli
Brian Montopoli is the senior political reporter at CBSNews.com.
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by greeneyez195 January 11, 2008 10:51 AM EST: I got this from a relative and really I am afraid of Obama..If he does get elected I am afraid we are in trouble.I went to the website. What is said here is true. Ouch. He needs to ditch this preacher.Obama mentioned his church during his appearance with Oprah. It''s the Trinity Church of Christ. Obama''s church: Please read and go to this church''s website and read what is written there. It is very alarming. Barack Obama is a member of this church and is running for President of the U.S. If you look at the first page of their website, you will learn that this congregation has a non-negotiable
commitment to Africa. No where is AMERICA even mentioned. Notice too, what color you will need to be if you should want to join Obama''s church.B-L-A-C-K!!! Doesn''t look like his choice of religion has improved much over his (former?) Muslim upbringing.
Are you aware that Obama''s middle name is Mohammed? Strip away his nice looks, the big smile and smooth talk and what do you get? Certainly a racist, as plainly defined by the stated position of his church! And possibly a covert worshiper of the Muslim faith, even today. This guy desires to rule over America while his loyalty is totally vested in a Black Africa! I cannot believe this has not been all over the TV and newspapers. This is why it is so important to pass this message along to all of our family & friends. To think that Obama has even the slightest chance in the run for the presidency, is really scary. www.tucc.org/about.htm; Reply to this comment


by scartercmu January 10, 2008 9:31 PM EST: If Barrack wins the nomination for the first time I will vote republican. I am a black man, but I raised to believe that leadership is a gift. He has that. But no record to prove it.; Reply to this comment


by rdupuy11 January 9, 2008 6:15 PM EST: It''s improper to electioneer, but all the candidates do it. It''s interesting to see the various candidates, pretty much going after every vote, without any compunction or morals. So what does a voter do?

One thing I will not do, is vote for Clinton for a 3rd time. The framers of the constitution didn''t envision husband and wife teams, holding the white house for 4 terms.

Maybe this issue would be clearer, if it was 4 consecutive terms. If it became commonplace, for a husband and wife team to simply switch roles, and not even move out of the white house.

The fact is...just like electioneering is now part of the process...one of Clinton''s firsts...is doing an end run around the constitution. We don''t want first families occupying the white house for 16 consecutive years, and that is the precedent that would be set.

I don''t need to wait for the next consititutional amendment to shut this practice down, I''ll vote against it now.

It''s not a big issue to the electorate...but it should be. Principles really should be.; Reply to this comment


by mwangangi-2009 January 9, 2008 5:51 PM EST: I like it. I want to help earn Barack the White House and not have it be considered some sort of pop star politics.; Reply to this comment


by PulSamsara January 9, 2008 3:56 PM EST: If SEXIST Nepotism gets Hillary nominated I''m voting against the Democrats for the first time ever.

America is a Democracy = Not a Monarchy; Reply to this comment


by cbsespo January 9, 2008 3:42 PM EST: With a huge victory in Iowa and a very narrow loss fueled by an emotional "moment" in Iowa Barack is ready to take Nevada. She got the sympathy vote in New Hampshire, I sure hope this doesn`t end up with more strategic drama.; Reply to this comment