Teamsters union endorses Obama, calls Mitt Romney a 'vulture capitalist'

James P. Hoffa (Teamsters) The International Brotherhood of Teamsters endorsed President Obama's reelection Monday, with Teamsters President James P. Hoffa announcing the endorsement at the union's annual conference in Las Vegas. The endorsement focused on praise of Obama's first term in office, with Hoffa saying that "Despite inheriting the worst economy since the Great Depression, President Obama has led the country down the long road back to prosperity, providing relief for the middle class and fighting for workers' rights."

By comparison, the Teamsters endorsement statement describes Mitt Romney as a vulture capitalist; according to Hoffa, "He represents everything that is wrong with our financial system. He made his money as CEO of Bain Capital by destroying U.S. businesses, sending good-paying American jobs overseas and filling his pockets with millions while putting workers out on the street."

Obama spoke to the Teamsters conference by phone, saying "I've seen and appreciated how you support the American economy and social justice, a tradition that goes back more than a 100 years ... America would look a lot different without the Teamsters."

Like other unions, the Teamsters union will communicate about the election with its own 1.4 million members and provide "boots on the ground in all 50 states."