Stop the presses!!! Today, John Sweeney announced that he was running for re-election. The press event, organized by his campaign (which, interestingly, is housed at the Firefighters union Building…I guess Harold isn’t pissed off anymore) took place at the Communications Workers of America building in Washington, D.C. Yours truly could not be there so the info I’m giving you is second hand.

Sweeney began the press conference with a statement and then took questions.

There were four video cameras, 8-12 reporters in room including from the Washingto Post, USA Today and Gannett. Here is a very rough paraphrase of the questions and answers posed by reporters:

Q. Will you allow a real vote on dissident proposals in Chicago?
A. The Convention will adopt its debate rules on the first day in Chicago. We expect significant debate.
Q. What happens if the dissidents leave?
A. We hope to convince them prior not to. If they do, then we’ll have to deal with that then.

Q. When are you going to talk with the Change To Win coalition presidents?
A. They were at the Executive Committee and I expect them to be at the Executive Council meeting this Monday
Q. Why are you reluctant to meet with the group as a whole?
A. I didn’t say I was reluctant

Q. Would dissafiliation be as bad as…
A. We are going to make every effort to stay united

Q. Is this a lost cause?
A. I am still hopeful. The two different proposals are very similar.

The Change to Win Coalition has put out a statement to counter Sweeney’s statement.