Endorsement is unanimous

THE INTERNATIONAL Brotherhood of Boilermakers threw its weight behind Barack Obama’s presidential bid Feb. 20, announcing its official endorsement of the Illinois senator as he campaigned in Ohio two weeks before the primary there.

Senator Barack Obama

IP Newton B. Jones said the International Executive Council unanimously endorsed Obama because of “his exceptionally strong stance for working people.” Jones acknowledged other candidates — especially Sens. John Edwards, Joseph Biden, Christopher Dodd, and Hillary Clinton, and Gov. Bill Richardson — whose campaigns have also appealed to the middle class. “Clearly, we have been offered the finest field of superbly qualified candidates…but one stands out now: Barack Obama.”

Obama issued a statement thanking the Boilermakers for endorsing him. “I’m thrilled to have the support of the Boilermakers,” he noted, “because they understand that if we come together — and work together — we can finally bring about the change that working Americans are so hungry for.”

An official IEC endorsement expresses the view of the Brotherhood’s top elected leaders as to which presidential candidate best supports the goals of the Brotherhood and its members. The IEC recognizes that some local lodge leaders and individual members may prefer other candidates, and an IEC endorsement in no way affects how members may vote. All members are encouraged to get involved and support their candidate of choice.

Paid for by the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers Campaign Assistance Fund, [phone: (703) 560-1493] and is not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.