My Aisling

Um, Dean ... no, wait a minute ... um, maybe Kerry ... hang on ...

One day not so long ago, the 1.4 million strong American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Union endorsed Howard Dean for president. In case they pull the posting presently gracing their home page, it follows in full text here:

"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Wednesday, November 12, 2003 Roberta Heine, 202-429-1145

AFSCME Endorses Howard Dean for President

Public Service Union Puts Political Power of
Working Families Behind Howard Dean

WASHINGTON — The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), AFL-CIO, officially endorsed Howard Dean for President today.

The AFSCME International Executive Board voted unanimously to endorse Howard Dean based on his record, his position on the issues, the strength of his campaign and the overwhelming and enthusiastic support for his candidacy among AFSCME's membership.

'We have a candidate who represents our values and who can defeat this President,' AFSCME President Gerald W. McEntee said. 'AFSCME is going to mobilize the largest and most aggressive grassroots campaign this nation has ever seen. Together with Governor Dean, America's working families will take back the White House in 2004.'"
(http://www.afscme.org/publications/political/pr031112.htm)

So full of promise, so principled, so ... gosh ...energetic!!! They picked Dean because of his positions, strength, and the enthusiasm he generates. They turned their 1.4 million members lose on unsuspecting Iowans in the largest and most aggressive grassroots campaign ever and won 11 of 51 state delegates, which translates to slightly more than 1 national delegate ... only 2,160 to go!! The power of unions. Simply awesome!!

Well, not one to be discouraged, the AFSCME Union has made their position clear: their support of Dean is being pulled. Something about being concerned about "Dean's ailing campaign on the union." Not quite sure what that means.

Perhaps it reflects upon the "overwhelming and enthusiastic support" no longer being so overwhelming or enthusiastic. Perhaps the members are depressed over backing a losing horse. Depression leads to illness, lost work, decreased productivity ... all things a union stands in opposition to (at least in theory).

In light of that, pulling the support seems prudent.

Poor Ho-Ho ... even a strong 2d in Washington isn't enough.

But wait! What if Kerry falters, Edwards is recognized as the child he is, Clark as the neophite politician that he is ... and Dean is the only one left standing? Oh, my!!