The firefighters union plans to be a major — and impactful — element of Biden’s campaign.
PITTSBURGH — You didn’t need to look hard to find the union label on the first event of Joe Biden’s presidential campaign. The rally took place in a Teamsters Temple in this industrial town on Monday and the small hall was packed with representatives from a slew of labor groups. But one union stood out behind Biden, with dozens of their members surrounding the former vice president in their trademark black-and-gold shirts.
On Monday, Sanders, the other leading Democratic candidate, appeared on CNN and was asked about the IAFF’s support for Biden. Sanders responded by drawing a contrast between their records, noting he opposed the Iraq War and a series of foreign trade agreements, including NAFTA, while Biden backed them.
Schaitberger said he is more worried about “winning” than “high-minded aspirational ideals.” He echoed that argument in the Teamsters Temple when he helped introduce Biden, warning of nominating a candidate who is too far left. In 2004, the group was widely viewed as instrumental in helping John Kerry come from behind to secure the Democratic nomination.
Schaitberger said his union has a “pretty sophisticated operation” that is “multifaceted in our ability to influence the political arena.” He noted the IAFF has its own broadcast studio to film commercials and a political training academy that has churned out over 1,000 graduates in the past 20 years who have been schooled in campaign techniques. He said the union focuses on having members communicate with each other, family members and neighbors to “magnify” their impact.
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