Donald Trump, Kamala Harris both courting voters as 2024 presidential election nears

(ASSOCIATED PRESS)

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters declined Wednesday to endorse Kamala Harris or Donald Trump for president, saying neither candidate had sufficient support from the 1.3 million-member union.

“Unfortunately, neither major candidate was able to make serious commitments to our union to ensure the interests of working people are always put before Big Business,” Teamsters President Sean M. O’Brien said in a statement. “We sought commitments from both Trump and Harris not to interfere in critical union campaigns or core Teamsters industries — and to honor our members’ right to strike — but were unable to secure those pledges.”

The Teamsters’ rebuff reflected a labor union torn over issues of political identity and policy, one that mirrors a broader national divide. Vice President Harris has unmistakably backed organized labor, while former President Trump has appealed to many white blue-collar workers even as he has openly scorned unions at times. By not endorsing anyone, the Teamsters are essentially ceding some influence in November’s election as both candidates claimed to have support from its members.

Harris campaign spokesperson Lauren Hitt noted in an emailed statement that more than three dozen retired Teamsters spoke last month in Chicago at the Democratic National Convention, having endorsed Harris. Their pensions were saved through the 2021 passage of the Butch Lewis Act that President Joe Biden and Harris championed.

The Teamsters said Wednesday that internal polling of members showed Trump with an advantage over Harris, a fact that the Republican’s campaign immediately seized upon by sending out an email that said the “rank-and-file of the Teamsters Union supports Donald Trump for President.”

Harris met Monday with a panel of Teamsters, having long courted organized labor and made support for the middle class her central policy goal. Trump also met with a panel of Teamsters in January and even invited O’Brien to speak at the Republican National Convention, where the union leader railed against corporate greed.

In an interview Wednesday on Fox News, O’Brien said lack of an endorsement tells candidates that they have to back the Teamsters in the future. “This should be an eye opener for 2028,” he said. “If people want the support of the most powerful union in North America, whether you’re a Democrat or Republican, start doing some things to support our members,” he said.

The Teamsters’ choice to not endorse came just weeks ahead of the Nov. 5 election, far later than endorsements by other large unions such as the AFL-CIO, the American Federation of Teachers and the United Auto Workers that have chosen to devote resources to getting out the vote for Harris.

With O’Brien facing a backlash from some Teamsters’ members after speaking at the Republican National Convention, it’s no surprise that the union decided not to make an endorsement, said Art Wheaton, director of labor studies at Cornell University.

[ClayCastleberry]

KAMALA - I'm Indian no wait I'm Black??? I'm against Fracking no wait I'm for Fracking??? I'm for Open Borders no wait I'm for closing the Borders??? WILL THE REAL SIM LADY PLEASE STAND UP?

[briangubash]

They’re eating the dogs they’re eating the cats🤔

[stray_d_wolf]

How she expects to do both when she couldn’t do 1… I always voted democrat … now I’m voting to get shit done… voting Trump

[tonyvargas]

No hate, just Love for our Country, the People and it's Future! This election, is not about a party or who you like? It's about who can get our economy/country back on track in the most safe, efficient, and expedient manner! One person has the proven experience to do this and proved it in 2016! The other person has no experience or anything to back up her claims that she can? Unfortunately, she is in the administration that placed us in this critical position? This November, if you want to be able to afford things, and not get drafted into WIII, don't vote with your emotions? Vote with your mind!!!🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[jerrylen]

No, Trumps courting voters and she's lying to them there's a difference

[americanpride]

I am voting for Trump because America needs him. I was never a hard-core fan of Trump didn't vote for him before, but people HARRIS has no policy and repeats the same thing but no ANSWERS.

[jonesy]

harris is counting hers at the grave yard

[ericclaeyborn]

Every black American needs to watch this vid before voting for Cacklin' Kammy... *ngU7CFkw9E8*
This mother should sue Kamala!!

[brookskimball]

CA would never elect an extremist. Gavin Newsom says so.

[Tom-pzk]

No. I’m politically conservative but Mr Trump is a Disgrace. Hard to believe anyone with a sense of Honor is voting for him. Sitting this one out.

[soniyasinha]

if we know what they are going to do for us it would be great.. real facts and figures. and October 15 is when I will decide

[bajdgh]

what is the best way to make money from crypto as crypto is turning massively

[RyanLopez-dpvs]

HARRIS/WALZ 2024 🗽💙🗳️
And to all those Jan 06. TRAITORS, we will remember come November !!! 🇺🇸

[bigred]

I voted Democrat since I’ve been 18 enough said I’m voting Trump 2024 and red all the way down ballot

[BobSmith-ojkh]

Covering his Adam's apple, figure it out Americans.

[franken-pattern]

I just got finished registering to vote this very minute. I haven't voted in this county ever, and it's been over ten years. That being said, you bet I'll be voting in 2024!! I cannot wait to say, "Mme. PRESIDENT HARRIS!!" 🌊💙🌊

[Jody-hn]

Wow. The level of ignorance expressed by Chump supporters in this chat is astounding!