Clinton staffers met with AFL-CIO President Richard Trumpka to try and delay an endorsement vote out of concern the endorsement would go to primary challenger Sen. Bernie Sanders in March, according to a Wikileaks release Wednesday.
“My recommendation is that once we cross 50% we have a delegation of Presidents come to Trumka and ask him to call the vote for HRC,” director of labor affairs for the Clinton campaign Nikki Budzinski wrote last October.
“I have outline below where we currently stand with AFL-CIO affiliated unions, these numbers include two union endorsements (AFSCME and IUOE) that I fully expect to happen by October 28th, 2015. I have included recommendations on what is needed to cross the threshold, I believe it lies with the UFCW.”
The email then outlines the current level of support, compared to the goal of over 50 percent of union support.
“*HRC Total: 4.9 million*
*Goal: 6.0 million*”
Budzinski admitted that some time with Clinton and union leaders would be required, before she made a best-case timeline endorsement. “I’d like to push (with Stuart) the UFCW to move in November. After this endorsement, we set a AFL-CIO endorsement goal immediately to follow pre-Iowa in December/January.”
“Is there a chance he calls for the vote and CWA or others organize so it fails (gets less than 2/3)? Would be amazing to get their backing, so I’m 100% supportive of calling a vote if we win,” Campaign manager Robby Mook responded.
Podesta supported the idea, saying, “I agree that a vote should only be called if we know we’ll get it. Otherwise, its not worth it.”
The AFL-CIO formally endorsed Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton in June, 2016, a full six months after the date Clinton staffers initially proposed.
“Hillary Clinton is a proven leader who shares our values,” said AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka in a prepared June statement. “Throughout the campaign, she has demonstrated a strong commitment to the issues that matter to working people, and our members have taken notice.”
“The activism of working people has already been a major force in this election and is now poised to elect Hillary Clinton and move America forward.”
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