Clinton/Obama Question Splits Labor Unions

Dems worry base too bitterly divided to unite behind single nominee
By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff
Posted Jan 13, 2008 12:29 PM CST
Clinton/Obama Question Splits Labor Unions
Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., works the crowd at a rally with the Culinary Workers Union Local 226 at union headquarters in Las Vegas, Friday, Jan. 11, 2008. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)   (Associated Press)

Labor unions are the foundation of any Democratic campaign, but that foundation in the '08 race remains clearly split between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, the LA Times reports. Both have fervent support among different unions, and tension within the party is running high, raising fears that the base won't be able to repair the nominating fissures and unite behind a single candidate.

The dispute centers on union-heavy Nevada, where Obama looks for a lift from the Culinary Workers Union while another labor group runs ads against him. Some, however, argue that the discord could be a positive sign of a powerful Democratic hunger for the White House. “Time heals wounds,” says a union head. “There is no choice for us among Republicans.” (More Hillary Clinton stories.)

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