I am on a conference call with Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) Rep. Gene Green (D-Texas) Leo Gerard, president of the United Steel Workers and Lori Wallach, director of Public Citizens Global Trade Watch to talk about the role trade is playing in the presidential race.  The one piece of news, to the extent it is news, is that Gerard has just said that the union–which was an early and enthusiastic backer of John Edwards–is not yet ready to endorse either Sen Obama or Sen. Clinton in the Democratic race.

    The significance of that has to do with Pennsylvania, where the Steelworkers have a huge presence (the union’s headquarters is located in Pittsburgh), especially with a huge number of retired members who can walk precincts and make phone calls. No doubt an endorsement by the Steelworkers for the April 22nd primary would be huge–if it happens. Gerard did not criticize either Democratic candidate and, in fact, agreed with Sherrod Brown’s assessment that there is not a huge difference between the two on trade, compared to now Republican nominee John McCain; both Brown and Gerard effectively said that McCain is seeking a "third Bush term" in terms of what they see as a failed policy on trade, manufacturing and relations with China.

    Gerard did hint that maybe an endorsement might happen–but said he wanted to hear more from the two candidates about how they would address China and other trade issues. Barack and Hilary, get those talking point ready and speed-dial Leo’s number.

    As an aside, I know that Gerard has been pretty pissed that most of the rest of the labor movement did not back Edwards out of the gate. As Gerard sees it, Edwards did everything the labor movement asked of him, championing its issues–and, in return, unions did not back him in a broader fashion.