March 28, 2007--Edward Sullivan, president of the AFL-CIO Building
and Construction Trades Department, presided over the presidential forum
during the BCTD's annual legislative conference. Seven Democratic
candidates addressed the forum; Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) was a late
addition to the program while Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-NE) was a late scratch.
Before the Democrats spoke, Rep. Pete King (R-NY) and House Minority Leader
John Boehner (R-OH) presented a Republican viewpoint. Boehner received
some boos when he addressed Iraq, but Sullivan noted that "he was so important
to us on the pension bill." "We can disagree without being disagreeable,"
Sullivan said. Summing up the event, Sullivan said, "I think everybody
did a good job." He further stated, "This is a first impression for
a lot of our members." Sullivan said a decision on an endorsement
would come later. "We're all trying to stick together," he said.
The BCTD encompasses 12 affiliated unions with two million active members. |