Democrat presidential hopefuls used an Iowa primary debate sponsored by the Iowa Federation of Labor to highlight their pro-union agendas, promising to reverse the trend that in recent years has seen American unions decline in membership and political influence. Each of the six ideas pushed ideas ranging from easing restrictions on union organizing to appointing a union member as Secretary of Labor to walking a picket line as president in an effort to court the crucial union vote. Although the IFL is unlikely to endorse a candidate in next winter's Iowa caucus, the debate was attended by over 250 local political leaders, representing a constituency that could mean the difference for the winner.
See "Democrats pledge to reverse unions' decline", CNN, August 15, 2007