CWA Presidential E-Poll Up and Running

CWA's first-ever online poll asking members and retirees to tell the Executive Board which candidate the union should endorse for U.S. president is up and running, and locals are urged to get the word out.

"We want our local leaders to rally members to go to the polls – online polls in this case – with the same energy and enthusiasm we bring to state and national elections," CWA President Larry Cohen said.

The goal is for every local to have at least 10 percent of its members vote online at www.CWAVotes.org. CWA headquarters will send updates to locals about how many of their members have voted as of Oct. 17 and Oct. 30, as well as a third tally on Nov. 13.  The voting deadline is Nov. 9.  Locals are urged to use websites and e-mail lists, to post flyers about the e-poll in workplaces and use their mobilization structure to get the word out.

In the e-poll, CWAers are asked to check whether or not they think CWA should make an endorsement before the primaries are held next year, and to select the candidates of their choice.

The website includes answers to CWA questions on key issues from seven of the eight Democratic candidates for president -- Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton, Chris Dodd, John Edwards, Dennis Kucinich, Barack Obama and Bill Richardson. Candidate Mike Gravel didn't respond, nor did any of the Republican candidates, despite repeated requests to their campaign offices.

All candidates from both major parties received letters from the Executive Board asking them about their commitment to the Employee Free Choice Act, their specific plans for health care reform and how they would retain and increase American jobs and reduce the trade deficit.

Shorter versions of the candidates' responses, reduced because of space restrictions, will appear in the upcoming issue of the CWA News, which will be in the mail in mid-October.

CWAVotes.org also includes a form members can use to post their own questions for candidates. They can also sign up for training to help them present the views of working America in the fast-growing world of political blogs.

Cohen and CWA Executive Vice President Jeff Rechenbach said they are counting on local leaders to make the CWAVotes.org project a success by getting as many members involved as possible.

"This historic opportunity to help shape our presidential endorsement represents CWA democracy at work," Rechenbach said. "Help bring back bargaining rights in the United States, win the fight for real health care reform, and create policies that support American jobs by making our voice heard."