Giuliani Campaign Press Release - International Association of Partisan Politics

It's unfortunate but not surprising that the IAFF union bosses have once again taken the low road in a move clearly out of step with their membership. In 2008, I expect these same union bosses to endorse Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama or John Edwards, so today's comments are just a first step in that process. Fortunately, rank and file firefighters know the difference between politics and leadership."

— Lee Ielpi, Ladder 2, Retired FDNY

IAFF HAS HISTORY OF SUPPORTING DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES

IAFF Endorsed Dukakis In 1988. ("Firefighters' Union Endorses Dukakis," The Associated Press, 8/2/88)

IAFF Endorsed Clinton-Gore In 1992 And 1996. (IAFF, "America's Fire Fighters Endorse Clinton-Gore," Press Release, 8/7/92; IAFF, "Fire Fighters Endorse Clinton-Gore," Press Release, 8/23/96)

IAFF Endorsed Gore In 2000. (IAFF, "Fire Fighters Endorse Gore For President," Press Release, 1/21/99)

In 2004, "IAFF Was The First Labor Union To Endorse Democrat John Kerry's Race For The President, And Its President Was At Kerry's Side Through Much Of The Campaign." (Fox News' "Special Report," 3/8/07)

IAFF Did Not Poll Its Members Before Making Kerry Endorsement. "'I think the thing that really teed off a lot of firefighters was that nobody was polled about that,' said David Powell, a nonunion member who serves as chief of the all-volunteer Reedley Fire Department. 'The members were not asked about it.'" (Michael Doyle, "Union's Support Ignites Firefight," Fresno Bee, 8/8/04)

IAFF PRESIDENT HAROLD SCHAITBERGER IS PARTISAN DEMOCRAT

Schaitberger Was "One Of Eight National Cochairs Of John Kerry's Campaign." (Matthew Continetti, "How To Stage A Controversy," The Weekly Standard, 3/22/04)

"Schaitberger … Appeared On Stage With Kerry When He Claimed His Iowa Prize [In 2004]…" (James O'Toole and Bill Toland, "Fight For Firefighters' Favor," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 4/25/04)

Schaitberger At Kerry Endorsement Press Conference: "[T]he Bush Administration Has Thrust Our Nation Into The Worst Economic Crisis Since The Great Depression" (IAFF, "Fire Fighters Endorse Kerry for President," Press Release, 9/24/03)

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE PRESS CONFERENCE

"Endorsing Candidates Early Is Part Of Schaitberger's Recipe For Success; He Was An Early Gore Supporter In 2000." (Thomas Lang, "Kerry's Red Engine," Columbia Journalism Review Website, http://www.cjr.org/politics/kerrys_red_engine.php, 3/15/04, Accessed 7/10/07)

Schaitberger: "Credit Must Go To Speaker Pelosi And The Rest Of The Leadership In The House Of Representatives For Getting Done What The Current Administration In The White House Has Failed To Do." (IAFF, "Fire Fighters Applaud Democrats For Protecting America," Press Release, 1/9/07)

Schaitberger: "While The Administration Tirelessly Portrays Democrats As Weak On National Security, The Truth Is That The New Party In Power Has Clearly Demonstrated Through Its Action That It Knows How To Bolster Our Nation's Homeland Security." (IAFF, "Fire Fighters Applaud Democrats For Protecting America," Press Release, 1/9/07)

MSNBC's Chris Matthews: "International Firefighter Union President Harold Schaitberger Is Going To Be Here. He's A Big Democrat." (MSNBC's "Hardball," 10/25/06)

Schaitberger Appeared At 2006 Democratic Press Conference. "The General President of the International Association of Fire Fighters, AFL-CIO/CLC, Harold Schaitberger, issued this statement today after speaking at a press conference called by House and Senate Democrats pushing for a stronger homeland security program …" (IAFF, "Fire Fighters President Joins Democrats To Push For Comprehensive Security Priorities To Protect Our Homeland," Press Release, 3/29/06)

Schaitberger Served As Chairman Of DLC's "2002 National Conversation." "The Democratic Leadership Council announced that its '2002 National Conversation' will be held at the end of July in New York City. According to the DLC, 'hundreds of well-known and up-and-coming leaders from around the country will attend this premier gathering of New Democrat elected officials.' Harold Schaitberger, president of the International Association of Fire Fighters, will serve as the event chairman." ("Capital Comment," United Press International, 5/23/02)

Schaitberger Has Given Only To Democrats, Including Barbara Boxer (D-CA) And John Kerry (D-MA). (The Center For Responsive Politics Website, www.opensecrets.org, Accessed 7/10/07)