"Edwards Appeals for Labor Support"

The Caucus, NY Times political blog:

LAS VEGAS – Standing in the bed of a white pickup truck parked in a strip mall, John Edwards on Friday asked for support from Nevada union members in Saturday’s caucuses.

Even if their unions have endorsed Hillary Rodham Clinton or Barack Obama.

“If you hear the sound of my voice, and if you are a union member in the state of Nevada, I am asking you to caucus for me,” Mr. Edwards said, adding, “no matter whatever your political leadership is telling you to do.”

He has been endorsed by the steelworkers, carpenters, communication workers and transport workers in the state, who have dominated the attendance at his campaign events in Nevada this week. But he failed to pick up the key endorsement of the influential culinary workers union and the Service Employees International Union in Nevada, who have supported Mr. Obama.

Mr. Edwards was introduced by James Denton, whose character on “Desperate Housewives” works as a plumber. He’s been appearing with Mr. Edwards on the campaign trail for weeks. With his show stalled by the writers’ strike in Hollywood, Mr. Denton today described himself as “a union member who’s out of work.”

After campaigning in Nevada for the last few days, Mr. Edwards is leaving Friday afternoon and flying to Oklahoma and Missouri, two states whose primary contests are held on Feb. 5. On Saturday, he travels to South Carolina, where he will campaign heavily until the Democratic primary on Jan. 26.