A top union leader says it's time for Democratic presidential candidates to get up close and personal with union members. In 2004, Democratic presidential hopefuls seeking the endorsement of the nation's fastest growing labor union faced the "hang test" ? before delivering their stump speeches, they had to hang out with 25 union members for an hour to show how well they could connect with real people. As the 2008 race gets under way, the Service Employees International Union is going a step further by asking candidates to visit the homes of its members and spend time with them on the job.
See "Union Wants Personal Attention From Dems", Holly Ramer, San Francisco Chronicle, January 30, 2007