Clinton Speaks at Moscone Center

  By Carolyn Tyler - KGO

SAN FRANCISCO (KFSN) -- Democratic Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama shared the same stage in San Francisco on Thursday. Clinton was at the Moscone Center in person and Obama was via satellite, talking to one of the country's most influential labor organizations at their bi-annual convention.

Senator Hillary Clinton received a rousing welcome from the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Workers.

The 1.6 million member union originally endorsed her for president more than a year ago, and she came to San Francisco on Thursday to say thank you.

"Somebody asked me if I would do it all over again, if you knew the result would be the same and I said in a bird dog minute," said Clinton.

Clinton noting that what she called her "remarkable journey" has come to an end, asked her supporters to get behind Senator Barack Obama.

"I've seen his passion and determination, his grace and his grit. His own life exemplifies the American dream," said Clinton.

Obama spoke via satellite igniting the crowd, telling union members that the bush administration has been the most anti-labor in memory.

"We don't have to wait for the history books to tell us the Bush years have been disastrous for hard working families. And that's why we can't afford to have John McCain serve out George Bush's third term," said Democratic presidential candidate Illinois Senator Barack Obama.

That message resonates with Jackie Rowe Adams from New York. She is such a staunch Clinton supporter, that she fought with family and friends over her choice.

Now she says she'll wholeheartedly back Obama.

"I hear others say 'oh we're not going to vote because Hillary didn't make it.' My message to them is move on," said Rowe Adams.

The Obama campaign knows there are women who may choose to sit out the election. But ABC7 News could not find that view in this room of 6,000 political & union activists, even as it becomes increasingly clear Clinton will not be offered the second spot on the ticket.

"Yes, that's not a problem. Democrats need to take back the White House, and I think Obama is a good man," said Ohio union member Patricia Kittle.

Clinton reminded anyone wavering that the election is not just about candidates, but about causes like Obama, she painted the Bush Administration as an enemy of unions.

"The administration's motto seems to have been if it ain't broke, we haven't tried hard enough," said Clinton.

Union support is crucial to any Democratic presidential candidate. The group meeting in San Francisco, the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees is expected to spend $60 million on get-out-the-vote efforts this year.

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