AFL-CIO Democratic Candidate Forum Set August 7

So many union families want to attend the AFL-CIO Democratic presidential forum on Tuesday, Aug. 7 in Chicago that the event has been moved from a conference center to Soldier Field, home of the Bears.

The 6 p.m. event, to be moderated by MSNBC's Keith Olbermann, is expected to draw more than 10,000 union members and their families. It will be broadcast nationally on MSNBC and XM satellite radio.

The event is free but tickets are required. The AFL-CIO says people interested in attending should contact their local union or call the Chicago Federation of Labor at (312) 222-1000. Participants, who must be seated by 5:30 p.m. and remain in the arena until 8 p.m., are urged to wear union clothing. However, shirts that endorse a specific candidate are prohibited, as are signs and banners.

Confirmed candidates for the forum are Sens. Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton, Chris Dodd and Barack Obama, former Sen. John Edwards, U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson. For updates about the event, check the AFL-CIO blog at www.aflcio.org.