| Political Activists Study
Whats Needed for Success in 2002
October/November 2001 IBEW Journal
IBEW political activists were congratulated
on the record-breaking 2000 effort, but cautioned about what
future successes will require.
International Secretary-Treasurer Jerry OConnor told the
political conference that Senator Jim Jeffords party switch
could not have brought about Democratic control without the
outstanding election work that produced a 50-50 lineup. The
conference was held in San Francisco on the Friday preceding
the Monday, September 10, convention opening and the terrorist
attack the next day.
"I would like right now to salute all of you from states
who elected friendly new senators last year. You know who
you are," OConnor said, naming Michigan, Missouri, New
York, Florida, Minnesota, Delaware, New Jersey, Nebraska and
Washington.
International President Edwin D. Hill congratulated delegates
on their efforts but cautioned that finishing the job of winning
congressional control in 2002 will take another effort of
historic magnitude. U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-California)
told the conference that election successes in 2002 will require
forcing Republicans to defend their economic performance.
IBEW Political/Legislative Department Director Rick Diegel
reported that the final two months of the 2000 campaign saw
IBEW PAC raise as much money as was raised the entire previous
year. Contributions for 2000 totaled $7.5 million, up from
a previous high of $4.1 million.
"Amidst the deserved congratulations, I must sound a
warning note for 20025 to 6 million U.S. union members are
still not registered to vote," President Hill said. He
also cited the low return of IBEW presidential preference
ballots in the fall of 1999 as proof that political work must
be intense and continual.
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