Hot Tip Update II

Kevin Reich made the decision not to seek labor endorsements prior to the endorsing convention in April. It didn't seem to hurt him during the actual endorsement but by bucking the labor tradition that exists in the ward, he may have seriously hurt his reputation.

What was Reich's reason for not going after these endorsements? Did he think that the endorsements wouldn't help at all? Did he think he wouldn't get any of the endorsements, so why bother screening? Did he not understand the history of labor in the ward?

I wanted to find out the real answer for not screening with any labor unions so I sent Kevin an email at the address on his website. I sent the email yesterday telling him that I planned on putting this post up today, and to please get back to me as soon as he could. As of yet I haven't heard anything from Reich or the campaign. So, I'm following through on my word and putting something up.

I'm not going to make any assumptions as to his reasoning for not seeking the endorsements (I'll let the readers do that) but I am seriously concerned, and disheartened, that I didn't hear anything back. Labor unions have a great history in NE and Ward 1, and are rightfully very respected in the area. By not acknowledging this history and tradition, Reich has managed to disenfranchise a large portion of his constituency. Whether he decides to seek the endorsements after the fact is really a moot point. Reich made his statement of not seeing the importance of unions in his ward by not screening. I hope he realizes that the people he may soon represent, and will have to work very closely with come from a proud tradition of union labor. Having myself come from a long union lineage I am personally offended by his decision, and I don't think that I'm the only one that feels this way. Reich managed to receive the endorsements of many other groups but ignored all unions in his quest for the endorsement. The fact that Reich didn't even have the courtesy to return my email just solidifies my anger over the issue. I also think that by not returning my email he has also shown his true colors.

When we started the Clark campaign the first thing that was mentioned was Ostrow's lack of followup with people. We had many people express their anger over the fact that Paul Ostrow doesn't return phone calls or emails. Kevin Reich has already started this trend, and he hasn't even gotten into office yet. I hope Reich wakes up to the fact that just because he's the DFL endorsed candidate it doesn't mean he can sit back and watch.