Hey Irish,
I'm also in the teansters as has my whole family been for 3 generations. The general executive board gets together and "supposedly" reviews all the candidates and thier stances on issues that effect the labor movement . Again they are supposed to choose the candidate that would be best for and friendliest to organized labor. Personally, I still vote my own mind,as I'm sure most brothers and sisters do, but you do have to wonder about some of thier choices.