Machinists endorse Obama for president

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., — The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) today delivered a full-throated endorsement for Barack Obama following a personal appeal from New York Democratic Senator Hillary Clinton at the union’s national convention in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

‘This union is not half-hearted with its endorsements,’ said IAM International President Tom Buffenbarger, who was an early and strong supporter of Sen. Clinton throughout the primaries. ‘When we go in, we go all in. We will have boots on the ground in every state to make sure our members understand that Barack Obama is the best chance in a generation to reclaim the American Dream for working families.’

More than 2,600 delegates and guests rose to their feet repeatedly during Clinton’s remarks and displayed unequivocal support for her request to support the Illinois senator to become the next president of the United States.

The endorsement will trigger a massive education campaign among IAM members and extensive publicity in union publications and worksites nationwide. The IAM is a significant political presence in key industrial states of Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin.

The IAM is among the nation’s largest industrial trade unions, representing over 700,000 active and retired members in airline, aerospace, manufacturing, railroad, woodworking and shipbuilding industries.

For more information, go to http://www.goiam.org.