Face Off in Cincinnati

"Former Governor Howard Dean and Congressman Richard Gephardt weren't the only candidates asking for our support. But they were the only candidates who met our litmus test."
IAM International President Tom Buffenbarger



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They came. They spoke. They spoke passionately about jobs. And they asked for the IAM's endorsement.


JOBS! Worth Fighting For was our litmus test.

If a candidate could not face up to America's failed trade policies, then they would not earn our support. If they could not craft a plan for putting Americans back to work, then they would never win the White House.

Former Governor Howard Dean and Congressman Richard Gephardt weren't the only candidates asking for our support. But they were the only candidates who met our litmus test.

Both men found an enthusiastic crowd waiting for them at the IAM's annual staff conference in Ciniannati, Ohio, the site of next year's 36th Grand Lodge Convention. Both men gave it their all. Both received standing ovations. Only one walked away with our endorsement.

This issue of the IAM Journal reports on the face-off, explains why an early endorsement was necessary, and describes why JOBS! Worth Fighting For will be our rallying call from now until Election day in 2004.