Edwards got the backing of some key SEIU affiliates around the country, as did Obama. But the mixed signals from the union kept it out of the thick of the campaign at the early stages.
Now, however, the union of nurses, childcare workers, janitors and other service employees will be at Obama's side in the final stages of the senator's race with Hillary Clinton for the nomination.
SEIU leaders focused on something that the multi-racial, multi-ethnic union values in making the case for Obama: the success of the senator's campaign when it comes to attracting and energizing young people and communities that are not always highly engaged with presidential politics.
"This is about more than one election. It's about building for the next generation of America," explained SEIU President Andy Stern. "Barack Obama is creating the broadest and deepest coalition of voters we've ever seen."
Though he would have liked to have had its support sooner, SEIU comes on at a very good time for Obama.
The union has strong political organizations in Wisconsin, where a primary will be held Tuesday, and states that will vote March 4: Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Texas.
SEIU plans to flex its muscles. Union officials say they will mobilize thousands of members to "go door-to-door, work the phones, and will send mail about their support for Obama." If SEIU organizers can influence the union's large Hispanic membership to consider Obama -- as opposed to Clinton, who has been seen as having a clear advantage with that critical voting bloc in several of the March 4 states -- this could yet turn out to be an essential endorsement for the Illinoisan.
The union will also begin buying television and radio time to back the senator on the airwaves in key states.
It's a major commitment by a union that does not always win the fights it enters -- SEIU backed Howard Dean in 2004 -- but that has evidenced an ability to tip the balance in close Democratic primary contests.
And, after some wavering, there is no question that SEIU has tipped toward Obama.
"This is one of the most important presidential elections workers have faced. Families are struggling, we're fighting two wars, and a majority of Americans are now worried that their children will be worse off than they are," says SEIU's Secretary-Treasurer Anna Burger, sounding themes that are likely to be heard soon in television and radio commercials in Ohio and Texas. "Obama is the right person at the right time to lead the change we so desperately need in our country."
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