WISCONSINREPORT.COM (02/08/08) - Senator Hillary Clinton is set to headline the Democratic Party of Wisconsin’s Founders Day Gala on Saturday, February 16 in Milwaukee, according to word from the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. Three days before Wisconsin’s primary, Senator Clinton will join Wisconsin Democratic elected officials and Democrats from around the state for the annual event. Meanwhile, the American Federation of Teachers Local 212 of Milwauke broke with its parent union today to endorse Senator Barack Obama for President of the United States.

The Democratic Party of Wisconsin Founders Day Gala will be held at the Midwest Airlines Center in Milwakuee, at 6:00 p.m., Saturday, February 16, 2008. But, even though Milwaukee is gearing up for the Gala, Milwaukee Area Technical College staffers are showing their favor for Barack Obama, not for Senator Hillary Clinton.

Local 212 represents the faculty, counselors and academic staff at Milwaukee Area Technical College and is regarded as one of the most politically active unions in Wisconsin.

Local 212 President and Economics Professor Doctor Michael Rosen describes the decision for the American Federation of Teachers Local to endorse Barack Obama for President, as a very democratic process.

"Last fall we asked the members, and there was no clear favorite, explained Rosen. "But over the past week we polled the 428 members who voluntarily contribute to our Committee on Political Education, and they voted by more than 2 to 1 to endorse Barack Obama over Hillary Clinton," Rosen said.

Rosen said that since it is now clear that Wisconsin's Primary might detrmine the nominees for both parties, his members are very focused and excited about the primary coming for State of Wisconsin voters.

The endorsement carries additional significance for Obama, because Local 212's parent organization, the American Federation of Teachers, was an early endorser of Senator Hillary Clinton.

"There's no anomosity here, and if Senator Clinton is the nominee, we'll support her because her record is far better on support for technical education, students, and working people than any of the Republican candidates," Rosen commented. He added that it was understandable that a national union with half its membership in New York state would support the New York Center (Hillary Clinton).

"However, there are clear differences between Senators Clinton and Obama on the war in Iraq, immigration reform and the role of corporate lobbyists," Rosen continued.

"Our students and working people in general have suffered greatly from eight years of neglect under George Bush, so, our members are incredibly excited by the prospecs of Barack Obama in the White House," Rosen explained.

The Wisconsin Democratic Party has also invited Barack Obama to the Founders Day Gala. However, as of this writing, there is no word whether or not Obama will also be attending.