In a move that stunned absolutely no one, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Union President Gerald McEntee has announced that AFSCME has pulled its endorsement of former Vermont Governor Howard Dean's presidential campaign.
"Howard has always been there for us, but I've got a reputation to consider," said McEntee. "We can't keep up our image as first-tier suck-ups if we stick with a second-tier candidate out of devotion to principle," said McEntee.
The 1.5 million-member union had endorsed Dean's campaign in the fall, when Dean looked like an unstoppable juggernaut. AFSCME leadership and union volunteers were very visible in Dean's campaign rallies and photo opportunities. Following Dean's poor showing in Iowa, however, they were "as scarce as Janet Jackson's left breast," according to a Dean campaign worker who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Though McEntee has not said so, most political observers believe the union's endorsement will soon go to current front runner Senator John Kerry.
"There is a way these things have to be done," said long time political observer Mallory Horschnitt. "Gerald would show bad form to dump Dean on one day and jump right into Kerry's bed the next. He's got to wait at least one weekend or he will look like a common gold digger like Anna Nicole Smith."
A spokeswoman for Anna Nicole Smith said that Smith was "livid about being called common."
Kerry campaign officials said they were "excited" about the likely AFSCME endorsement.
Campaign spokesman Marty Poxmore said that the AFSCME endorsement "will end all doubt that we truly are the front runner in this campaign." Poxmore went on to say that he was "thrilled to add a new set of lips to Senator Kerry's backside."
Poxmore would not comment on rumors that Kerry has been avoiding daily phone calls from former Vice President Al Gore, who has offered to appear with Kerry "anywhere and any time" to announce his support.
Dean, meanwhile, seems to be taken the news in stride. A written statement was issued by his volunteer spokesperson on Monday.
"Though I am deeply disappointed to loose their endorsement, I bear no ill will toward AFSCME," said Dean. "I hope they are as effective for Senator Kerry as they were for me."
