Clinton, Obama woo union vote in Pennsylvania

Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama both want to buy the union label, but neither has rung up a final sale in Pennsylvania.

Judging by conversations this week at the state AFL-CIO convention, union members remain split between the Democratic rivals, who both came to woo the 850 delegates at the Sheraton Philadelphia City Center Hotel.

About one-third of the convention's 40-plus locals have endorsed Clinton, one-third are in Obama's camp, and one-third are undecided, according to AFL-CIO spokesman Jim Degan. Pennsylvania has 830,000 union members, the fourth-largest total among the states.

During a break in the meetings, Angie York and Toni Reisinger, Oil City High School classmates and members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 1050, discussed why their union is backing Clinton as they grabbed a smoke outside the hotel.

"She wants to bring jobs back to Pennsylvania," said York, 37, an aide at Polk Center, a state residential facility in Venango County for people with mental retardation. She and her husband, a steelworker, have three children, ages 14 to 20.

"Obama doesn't care about Pennsylvania," she said. "He doesn't know what [Clinton] knows. We are a manufacturing state. I don't think he has a clue what it's going to take to bring jobs back."

York said she did not catch his speech because she felt ill and overslept.

Kathy Jellison, president of Harrisburg's Local 668 of the Service Employees International Union, certainly heard Obama speak. Her union, which has 65,000 members statewide, backs the Illinois senator.

"He was fabulous," said Jellison, 53, relaxing in the hotel lobby. She and her husband, who is retired, have a 25-year-old son. "There was an excitement in the air when he discussed the issues. He used no negativity, and he had the crowd in the palm of his hand. I think he probably swayed some undecideds."

Clinton "did well in her speech," Jellison said, "but she didn't have the same feeling."

Obama "can take us in a whole new direction. . . . People want a change. They don't want more of the same. I think Clinton brings some of 'more of the same' with her. Obama brings youth and the promise of change."

Back to the smoking crowd: AFSCME member Reisinger, 37, a clerk-typist at Polk Center, said Clinton is more prepared for the presidency than is national front-runner Obama and predicted that she would easily win the April 22 primary.

"I like the fact that she pretty much ran things the first time, when Bill was in there, because behind every great man is a great woman. She had a lot to do with the political issues he dealt with," she said.

Reisinger and her friend York both said they would hang out with Hillary. "I'm sure she'd have a beer with us," York said, just as Reisinger pleaded, 'No, Angie, don't say beer.' " Too late.

A few feet away, her husband, James Reisinger, president of the AFSCME local, was less enthusiastic about Clinton. He said he supports her because his union does. If Obama gets the nomination, he'll go Obama.

"Labor knows we need to get a Democrat in the White House to fix everything the Republicans have broken," he said.

On a personal level, the big issue for James Reisinger is Iraq. An Army specialist, he just returned from his second tour, on a medical discharge after injuring his back in a humvee accident. He's scheduled for surgery Monday, he said.

McCain "says we'll stay there for many years to come. I don't believe that's right," he said. "I've been there. I know what's going on. We need to get our troops out."

Iraq also hits home for Obama supporter Jellison. Her brother is there on his second tour, which has been extended. "He has a 10-year-old and a 5-year-old at home. It's been very difficult for the family. I want to see a plan to get us out of the war."

The United Steelworkers of America has not made an endorsement yet, and neither has its political director, Wayne Donato, standing outside the hotel near the AFSCME group.

Clinton's and Obama's positions "are identical on issues that affect me and my organization," he said, meaning health care and trade, specifically with China. "If one candidate distinguishes themselves in that manner, it would force our hand. None has done so."

John Edwards was the union's first choice. "He said all the right things about our issues," Donato said.

Donato wouldn't say anything - right or otherwise - when asked his age. "That's a grievance procedure," he said like a true union man.