Bradley courts unions for Democratic endorsement

Associated Press, February 19, 1999

MIAMI BEACH -- Former senator Bill Bradley, saying he will not cede ground in the battle for the Democratic presidential nomination, sought to convince organized labor leaders yesterday that Al Gore does not have the race wrapped up.

"I have a chance," he declared.

The vice president, who holds a healthy lead in polls and enjoys President Clinton's support, wants to foster an atmosphere of inevitability about the nomination. One component of that strategy is to secure early endorsements from labor groups, the cornerstone of any winning Democratic coalition.

Two AFL-CIO affiliates -- the Communications Workers of America and the International Association of Firefighters -- have thrown their support behind Gore. But the AFL-CIO executive council passed a resolution yesterday urging that no other affiliates follow suit before the panel meets in August to consider endorsements.

Nevertheless, union and Democratic operatives still expect Gore to secure the endorsement, though not as early as some supporters had hoped.

For Bradley, who arrived in Miami Beach Wednesday night with former Chicago Bulls coach and New York Knicks teammate Phil Jackson, the trip was designed to prevent an early stampede of union endorsements. Bradley also hoped to show that he will challenge Gore every step of the way, even on what should be friendly turf.

"We wanted to send a signal to Democrats that says, 'Look, this is a very tough and uphill climb, but we're going to fight for your support and we're not ceding any ground,' " Bradley spokesman Eric Hauser said.

Bradley met privately with several union leaders, particularly officials upset with Clinton-Gore trade policies, and addressed the executive council behind closed doors. Gore will visit today, his sixth appearance at the annual meeting.