"Working families are losing their ground," said Elaine Harris, a representative with the Communication Workers of America. "The Bush administration has put its political agenda ahead of the good of the people."
Delegate Nancy Guthrie, D-Kanawha, agreed, saying 2008 should be different if people get out and express their opinions.
"If we are going to restore some virtue to this economy, you need to get up on your feet and get out on the street and vote Democrat," she said to the crowd. "We have everything to gain this time and nothing to lose."
John Unger, the state senator from Berkeley County and candidate for the 2nd Congressional District, related the story of his grandfather, whose career included work in a unionized quarry.
"He always put the fight in the fight," he said. "It is important to continue to fight for working families and for me to continue to join in that fight."
West Virginia University law professor Bob Bastress, who is running for the state Supreme Court, told the crowd about his law work defending mine workers and labor rights.
"I understand how important those paychecks are for workers," he said. In his 2000 campaign for the Supreme Court, Bastress had the support from labor groups.
[snip]
Gov. Joe Manchin, who arrived on his motorcycle, pointed to how the state is leading the way in the mining industry, particularly when it comes to safe conditions.
"West Virginia is making a difference," he said. "Everything is based around the safety of the worker. If we can't do it safe, don't do it."
