During a forum held Tuesday night, the nine democratic presidential candidates for 2004 spoke of their positions on several issues in an attempt to win the support of organized labor. Major issues included free trade, as many union officials believe the current agreements have sent thousands of American manufacturing jobs overseas, and health care. Rep. Richard Gephardt of Missouri has the strongest ties to organized labor, but has yet to receive a blanket endorsement from the AFL-CIO. Unions seem to be focusing on which candidate will be most likely to get elected.
See "Rivals joust for union seal of approval to battle Bush", Jeff Zeleny, Chicago Tribune, August 5, 2003