"Were working like were one vote behind," says Sean Mitchell, business manager of ironworkers union Local 402 in West Palm Beach and leader of his locals get-out-the-vote campaign. He and most Local 402 members support the Kerry ticket. "There are 1 million U.S. construction workers who are organized. They have spouses and children. They can have a huge impact, especially here, where the difference in 2000 was 600 votes," he says.
Local 402 gets a printout from the international union as to how many members are registered Republicans, Democrats and those who are considered swing voters. "I dont know how they get this information, but they do, says Mitchell. About 85 to 90% support Kerry-Edwards. "Though I disagree with [Bush supporters], theyre still brothers," he says. Mitchell says the big issues for him are illegal immigration, pensions, health care and safety enforcement.