Message from AFSCME International President Gerald W. McEntee
The American People Say, "Yes We Can!" Historic election results could not have happened without union members

COLUMBUS, OHIO - Barack Obama asks Ohioans to join him in securing change at the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2008. AFSCME women, including Jen Hall (center), cheer him on and wave signs, "Change We Need." More than 60,000 people came out on Sunday, Nov. 2, for the Statehouse rally.

Dear Member,

Throughout this extraordinary campaign, Barack Obama challenged us to believe that we have the power to change America, and to change the world. On Election Day, America responded to his challenge with a resounding “Yes We Can!”

With Barack Obama, we will have a president who values the workers who make America happen at home and defend it abroad. Along with a Congress that supports us and with historic gains at the state and local level, we have the opportunity to make a huge difference in the lives of working families.

With Barack Obama and Joe Biden, we will have a team of proven fighters committed to providing state and local fiscal relief, fully funding and supporting public services and the workers who provide them, and guaranteeing that everyone in our country has quality, affordable health care they can count on.

It couldn’t have happened without you: 40,000 AFSCME active and retiree members knocked on more doors and made more phone calls to our co-workers and neighbors than in any previous election year.

Indeed, union voters played a key role in President-elect Obama’s historic victory, delivering a critical bloc of support in swing states that helped propel Obama and other working-family candidates to big wins last night. Election-night polling showed that in key battleground states, AFL-CIO union members supported Obama by a whopping 69 - 28 margin, versus a general public margin of 51 - 47.

A Change has come.  Hope is here.

Now we must begin the urgent work of rebuilding the middle class at home; restoring America’s reputation in the world; and transforming our government into a vibrant force that solves problems, stands with American families and empowers people and communities to improve their lives.

But today, we take time to celebrate President-elect Barack Obama — because yes, we can.

GERALD W. McENTEE
International President

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