Dodd, Clinton Earn Backing of Unions

WASHINGTON -- Democrat Chris Dodd has earned the backing of the International Association of Fire Fighters, a major coup for the presidential hopeful, while leading contender Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton secured the endorsement Tuesday of the United Transportation Union.

The Dodd endorsement is the more surprising of the two, with the Connecticut senator lagging behind better-known rivals Clinton, Illinois Sen. Barack Obama and John Edwards in the latest polls.

The firefighters' executive board will officially vote and endorse Dodd on Wednesday. Dodd and the firefighters plan a three-state tour, visiting Iowa on Thursday, New Hampshire on Friday and Nevada on Saturday.

In 2003, the 281,000-member union backed Democratic Sen. John Kerry, a boost to his then-moribund campaign that helped him secure the 2004 party nomination, and its backing of Dodd is certain to improve his standing.

The firefighters "know how to win elections, and they'll put lots of boots on the ground. This is an important election, and they know it," Dodd said. "They've made it clear it would be about the future _ who could win the election, fight for middle class, and bring people together to get the job done."

IAFF President Harold A. Schaitberger said Dodd earned their support because he's the best candidate, and the 25-year Senate veteran has been a longtime ally of firefighters in Congress.

"He's done more than vote right and be supportive _ he's really carried our water and been proactive on our behalf," Schaitberger said. "And the other reason is that I really think he has the experience. Our board gave a lot of thought to this. He has the experience and the strength to lead this country in what we know is going to be tough times."

Clinton got the endorsement of the 125,000-member United Transportation Union.

"The UTU has a long history of picking winners early. Hillary will be a president that America's working families can count on. Time and again, as a United States senator, she has stood with us," UTU President Paul Thompson said.

Clinton said that she was honored to get the endorsement.

"America's workers have been invisible to this administration, and it's time they had an advocate in the White House," said the New York senator.

The UTU, which calls itself the largest railroad operating union in North America, represents 125,000 active and retired members in the railroad, bus and public transit industries.