Labor unions back Clinton, Edwards

Hillary Clinton and John Edwards each picked up key union endorsements today.

Clinton won the support of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, whose 1.4 million members nationwide and 30,000 in Iowa, the first state to vote, will provide a ready pool of volunteers. AFSCME said it would activate a 40,000-member volunteer army to mobilize its members.

"As our President, Hillary Clinton will help rebuild America’s middle class and make sure that everyone shares in our country’s prosperity. She has a record of leadership, of bringing people together for more than 30 years. Hillary Clinton inspires our members. She sparks the flame we need to win," AFSCME President Gerald W. McEntee said in a statement issued by the Clinton campaign.

The Republican National Committee quickly weighed in: "While it is clear Bill was able to secure this endorsement for Senator Clinton, even he won't be able to sell devastating tax hikes and socialized medicine to hardworking families," said spokesman Danny Diaz.

Meanwhile, Edwards announced the support of the Service Employees International Union affiliate in New Hampshire, which holds the first primary.

It represents 10,000 workers in New Hampshire, but as importantly, all 12 state SEIU affiliates supporting Edwards, totalling more than 1 million members, can now send volunteers into both Iowa and the Granite State.

"John Edwards earned our support because he has always stood up for hardworking Americans, and because he has the strongest commitment to providing truly universal health care for all," Gary Smith, the New Hampshire affiliate's president, said in a statement provided by the Edwards campaign. "Edwards is a fighter for workers trying to capture the American Dream. He is the strongest candidate to win in the general election and bring real change in Washington. We look forward to doing all we can to support him here in New Hampshire and across America."