Fruits of his labor

I'm generally hesitant to swoon over a picket-walking candidate, and I'm still inherently skeptical. But it's encouraging to see what could be perceived as a political stunt become a consistent practice. In continuing with his aggressive courting of labor, John Edwards joined multiple picket lines this weekend.

First, in Chicago after his Yearly Kos appearance:

Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards killed two birds with one stone Saturday, briefly walking the picket line with striking Congress Hotel workers while simultaneously shooting footage for potential campaign promotions.

The former North Carolina senator, who is campaigning as a champion of the working class, spent nearly 10 minutes walking the picket line with unionized employees from the Michigan Ave. hotel, who have been striking since 2003 over substandard wages and health benefits.

And, of course, in Iowa:

Democratic Party presidential candidate John Edwards came to Sioux City today to show solidarity with the mixers, yard employees and ready mix drivers in Teamsters Local Union 554 who have been on a work stoppage from Standard Ready Mix since October 2006.

Several hundred people gathered just outside Standard Ready Mix as Edwards began his five-stop campaign swing through Sioux City, Orange City, Sheldon, Spirit Lake and Spencer. His theme on the day was to ensure that not just the upper class in America thrives and that the middle class doesn't disappear.

Speaking to a crowd largely adorned in union T-shirts, Edwards said for the middle class "to survive, one of the critical things we have to do is strengthen and grow the organized labor movement in America. I've walked a bunch a picket lines all over the last several years, and I'm proud to be here with all of you."

Edwards said his appearance in support of the strikers was "not about politics, this is about doing what is right for the people you stand up for... Your cause is my cause."

But perhaps the greatest payoff Edwards could have gotten came from the manager of Standard Ready Mix:

But, the scene turned tumultuous when union workers say they scuffled with the company's president.

During John Edwards campaign stop, Standard Ready Mix owner, Mark Jensen walked out with camera in hand. He also brought out a "Hillary for President" sign.

John Edwards, "Cute, that's cute."

Oh, and this couldn't hurt:

Jim Sheard, secretary of Teamsters Local Union 554, said he's known Edwards for five years, and "while none of the unions are making endorsements yet," he added, "I gotta tell you that John Edwards is the candidate who is not afraid of the word 'union.'"

Edwards actually injected himself into a vicious worker-employer standoff, with mixers, yard employees and ready mix drivers that make up Teamsters Local Union 554 having been on strike since October of last year.

This isn't to say he's locked up the labor vote. But stories like this go a long way in winning over a populist Democratic electorate in Iowa.