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Olbermann to Host AFL-CIO Working Families Vote Presidential Forum |
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Keith Olbermann, whose biting, pull-no-punches commentaries on MSNBC’s “Countdown with Keith Olbermann,” have been known to spike the blood pressure of their targets—ask Fox News’ belligerent right-winger Bill O’Reilly—will moderate the AFL-CIO Presidential Candidates Forum in Chicago on Aug. 7. The forum, with the seven leading Democratic candidates, will be broadcast live from 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m. CDT (7 p.m.-8:30 p.m. EDT) on MSNBC and XM Satellite Radio.
Olbermann, whose journalism credentials include several Emmys and an Edward R. Murrow Award for his coverage of the events and aftermath of the Sept. 11 terrorists attacks, says he is “honored” for the
…opportunity to question the leading Democratic presidential candidates about the key issues of this race. This is a critical time in our nation’s history and I look forward to helping our viewers better understand where each of the candidates stand on the issues.
The forum, says AFL-CIO President John Sweeney, will give working families in the Chicago audience and those watching and listening at home the chance to hear
…exactly how these candidates, after eight years of anti-worker policies, plan to return the promise of the American dream to working people….Keith’s wit and political savvy will ensure a lively and substantive discussion about the issues working families care about most.
Along with questions from Olbermann, candidates also will face questions from union members in the audience and from union members who submitted questions to the Working Families Vote 2008 “Ask the Candidates” contest. So far, union members have submitted more than 1,200 questions, and health care is the biggest issue. Other questions focus on education, the war in Iraq, immigration, jobs and wages and campaign finance.
Click here to read a sample of the questions and here to read all the questions and vote for your favorite. The top vote-getters will be asked at the forum.
Confirmed candidates for the forum are: Sens. Joe Biden, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Chris Dodd and Barack Obama, former Sen. John Edwards, Rep. Dennis Kucinich and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson.
The AFL-CIO Executive Council is meeting in Chicago that week and likely will make a decision following the forum whether to convene the General Board this fall to consider endorsement.
The forum is a key part of an intensive six-month program to engage union members and their families in the AFL-CIO’s presidential endorsement decision-making process. Beginning in April, the AFL-CIO held town hall meetings in cities across the United States with presidential candidates to discuss issues of vital importance to working families like health care, jobs, retirement security, trade policy and the freedom to form and join unions. Click here, here, here, here, here and here to read more.
7 Comments
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I am angry that the AFL-CIO has the audacity to leave Senator Mike Gravel off the debate. The commenting guidelines don’t allow me to express how angry I am. I doubt seriously that Kieth Olberman agrees with that decision… Clearly Mike is a leader of great courage. His history of action as a freshman Senator puts our current bunch to shame. He led a 5 month! one man! filibuster and ended the draft which is why Bush has no military draft today. He read the top secret Pentagon Papers into the public record at great personal risk. Who dares challenge power in such a manner today? His suggestion for ending the Iraq war is the reason Dems have decided to get tough, it is the reason Harry Reid is demanding a vote tonight on the Levin-Reed bill. Mike is a man of the people….He isn’t subject to the corporate payoffs that all the others are… AND YOU DARE TO EXCLUDE HIM!?
Who decided who the “top seven” candidates were before we even heard them debate? The AFL-CIO has no right to filter out candidates like Mike Gravel in favor of corporate fat cats like Clinton, millionaire mansion dwellers like John-boy Edwards and insurance company hack Chris Dodd. Gravel is the only candidate with a track record defending the US Constitution and is a far better choice than warmonger Joe Biden.
The AFL-CIO has a history of backing politicians who screw over workers once elected. All these ‘top seven’ bullshitters, except Kucinich possibly, will talk a good line but they know who pays their bills - the corporate class.
I won’t hold my breath to wait for the labor movement to host a fair debate that includes all the candidates in the general election - including any Socialist, Green, Libertarian, or independent. We’ll continue to see the AFL back Democrats who will hold us back from achieving what we need - a LABOR PARTY!
Please reconsider your candidate lineup and include Mike Gravel. He is one of only two candidates, along with Dennis Kucinich, who cut to the chase and speak the truths that need to be spoken. Also, please give all of the candidates equal time to speak. We certainly do not need another Clinton/Obama/Edwards show like the travesty of a debate that aired on CNN recently. We already know that Clinton and Edwards plan to eliminate the other candidates from the debates. Please do not help them with their un-American intentions.
Lets face it, all the candidates think about is the power of the office. We come second. the moment they get in they concentrate on the next election.
I am Yohana Duarte from Sunland Park NM. I have a question for Mrs. Hillary, ” If you can’t handle your home affairs, how can we trust you on our american safety?” Bill Richardson has done alot and improved many things for New Mexico what will you improve?
Why would they pick “the seven leading Democratic candidates” for this when there are eight candidates in every state I’ve checked. this is not a way to keep out alot of lesser know candidates. this is a way to keep one man out of the debate. Mike Gravel. Gravel and Kucinich are the only true labor candidates and the two who should have the best chance to shine at a union hosted debate. Kucinich did, Mike Gravel would have as well.
I watched and recorded this sham of a debate. I felt the questions were from the world of 9/10 with little attention given to national security. However, I do wish to thank AFL-CIO for hosting this event as it convinced me to abandon Olbermann permanently.