GEORGETOWN, S.C. (AP) - The local chapter of the
steelworkers union has withdraw permission for Democratic
presidential candidate Howard Dean to use its hall for a rally next
week.
National union leaders ordered Steelworkers Local 7898 to back
out because the union has endorsed U.S. Rep. Dick Gephardt of
Missouri in the nine-way race for the Democratic presidential
nomination.
Dean wanted to speak to the job losses of the steelworkers and
others in South Carolina suffering from layoffs, a campaign
spokeswoman said. "Being there with these workers who are really
suffering at the hands of the Bush administration really appealed to
him," Delacey Skinner said.
Georgetown Steel Co. closed its doors earlier this year and filed
for protection from its creditors in U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Almost
600 workers lost their jobs.
Union local President James Sanderson said he offered the use of
the hall to the Dean campaign because he thinks it's important to
have politicians visit.
"If George Bush wanted to come to Georgetown, I'd make the union
hall available to him," Sanderson said. "It's an honor for us to
have a presidential candidate come to Georgetown."
The Dean campaign is looking for an alternate location to hold
its rally, Skinner said Saturday afternoon.
Information from: The Sun News
