WASHINGTON, Aug. 29 Change-to-Win-Palin
WASHINGTON, Aug. 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is a
statement from Change to Win chair Anna Burger regarding presumptive
Republican presidential nominee John McCain's announcement today of Alaska
Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate for the 2008 election.
"Even though it is John McCain's 72nd birthday, it looks like Barack Obama
and Joe Biden got the best gift with McCain's choice of Sarah Palin to be
McCain's running mate. In an election McCain claims is about experience and
security, he picks someone who barely has the equivalent of a learner's permit
in elected office, let alone foreign affairs. She has served well under two
years as governor, and her prior experience as a mayor of a town with 9,000
people does not qualify her to be a heartbeat away from the presidency.
"America's working families want change. They want leaders with a proven
record of standing up for better wages, health care for all, retirement
security, fair trade deals that value jobs here at home, and for rebuilding
our middle class through green jobs that pay a living wage. They want the
chance to better themselves through union representation without facing
illegal employer harassment.
"Governor Palin's lack of experience and thin record give us no choice but
to return to the clear facts; that John McCain has a long and terrible record
of failing America's workers. McCain's record is a train wreck for families
who want a shot at the American Dream, and this choice, his first as a
presidential candidate, shows a serious lack of judgment and understanding
about what this election is about.
"That's why Change to Win members are so excited about the Obama-Biden
ticket. We're in our sixth month of backing a candidate who has the vision
and leadership to make real change for all of America's working families.
Obama had the wisdom to pick a partner with over 30 years of experience in
foreign affairs, and who has always stood on the side of workers in the fight
for good jobs, retirement with dignity, and the opportunity to leave a better
life for their children. That is why we are proud and excited to continue to
knock on thousands of doors, visit thousands of worksites, and make millions
of phone calls to educate our members and turn out an historic vote this
November."
** Note: Media representatives interested in scheduling an interview to
discuss Change to Win's political program should contact Noreen Nielsen at
Noreen.nielsen@changetowin.org. **
About Change to Win
Seven unions and six million workers united in Change to Win to build a
new movement of working people equipped to meet the challenges of the global
economy and restore the American Dream in the 21st century: a paycheck that
can support a family, affordable health care, a secure retirement and dignity
on the job. The seven partner unions are: International Brotherhood of
Teamsters, Laborers' International Union of North America, Service Employees
International Union, UNITE HERE, United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners
of America, United Farm Workers of America, and United Food and Commercial
Workers International Union.
SOURCE Change to Win
