Members Meet Candidates: Let the Campaign Begin!
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Boldly capturing national attention, AFSCME held its first-ever Presidential Town Hall Meeting. Nearly 1,000 of our activists joined in to ask questions of the Democratic candidates and to voice their opinions.
DES MOINES
Although this modest Midwest capital achieves political prominence every four years, it had never seen anything like the show AFSCME brought to town in mid-May. The union flexed its muscle to pull off — in spectacular fashion — a Presidential forum that featured both the declarations of every Democratic contender and the enthusiastic participation of almost 1,000 members.
On a warm and sunny Saturday, Des Moines' compact convention center rocked to the cheers and applause of activists responding to favorite candidates and their attacks on the worker-unfriendly policies and practices of Pres. George Bush. Seven candidates participated in person: U.S. Sens. John Edwards of North Carolina and Bob Graham of Florida; U.S. Reps. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio and Dick Gephardt of Missouri; former Gov. Howard Dean of Vermont; former Sen. and Ambassador Carol Moseley Braun of Illinois; and the Rev. Al Sharpton of New York. Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts participated by live satellite feed, Sen. Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut by videotaped interview.
Candidates also circulated at the Friday night reception, talking with members and posing for photos.
Each of the nine made an opening statement, then responded to questions posed by AFSCME members. University of California custodial worker Patricia Segrest (Local 3299) asked about the Bush tax cuts; Minnesota probation officer Patrick Guernsey (Local 552, Council 14), the state fiscal crises; Pennsylvania clerical worker Shirley Stuttler (Local 2595, Council 85), corporate accountability; New York City Emergency Medical Technician Joseph Conzo (Local 2507, DC 37), homeland security; Texas retiree Eunice Parrish (Retiree Chapter 1550), health care; and Milwaukee bus driver Annette Berry (Local 135, Council 48), union organizing rights.
University of Maryland program director Betty Wineke (Local 1072, Council 92) interviewed Lieberman; Pres. Gerald W. McEntee asked the questions of Senator Kerry and served as moderator of the entire event. (Meanwhile, about 30 members of Iowa's Council 61 were taking it all in as part of a focus group designed to gauge reactions to the candidates.)
The morning's presentations and questions from the floor were carried live in their entirety by C-SPAN and in hourly shots by MSNBC-TV. In addition, political journalists from America's top newspapers attended and questioned the candidates, McEntee and members. The result: next-day headlines across the country.
Most of the afternoon was devoted to a members-only discussion of the candidates, the issues and AFSCME's endorsement process. Members trooped to floor microphones to voice their views and ask questions of McEntee and Sec.-Treas. William Lucy.
The event served to change the national debate and public perceptions on such key issues as the economy and terrorism/homeland security, and to energize AFSCME members — in the audience and far beyond — for the 2004 campaign.
— Roger M. Williams
