The drumbeat of good Hillary news just isn't stopping today: The latest is that she's picking up the endorsement of the American Federation of Teachers, which has 1.4 million members nationwide.

Obama was never likely to get the AFT's endorsement, since he supports merit pay for teachers. Edwards, meanwhile, takes a hit in the press -- unfairly, as his supporters privately grouse -- every time a union endorses someone other than him.

The union's release is after the jump.

American Federation of Teachers Endorses Hillary Clinton

1.4 million-member union cites proven abilities, bold plans

WASHINGTON, D.C.-Acting on behalf of its more than 1.4 million members,
the executive council of the American Federation of Teachers today
endorsed Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination for president,
citing her proven ability to advance our nation's key priorities, and
her bold plans for a stronger America.

"Our members have told us that they want a leader they can trust to
strengthen public education, increase access to healthcare, promote
commonsense economic priorities and secure America's place in the
world," said AFT President Edward J. McElroy. "Hillary Clinton is that
leader."

The vote of the 41-member AFT executive council capped a deliberative
seven-month process designed to solicit from membership their issues of
concern and the candidate they believed would best address those
concerns. As part of that effort, the AFT created the "You Decide 2008"
page on its Web site, which to date has received more than 50,000
individual visits. AFT leadership also solicited input through meetings
at the local level, regional caucuses and individual member outreach.

"I am honored to receive the endorsement of the American Federation of
Teachers," said Hillary Clinton. "I want to thank AFT vice presidents
Nat LaCour and Antonia Cortese, and the 1.4 million members and retirees
of this great union who represent teachers; paraprofessionals and
school-related personnel; local, state and federal employees; higher
education faculty and staff; and nurses and other healthcare
professionals. Your support and leadership will be invaluable to the
success of my campaign.

"I want especially to recognize Ed McElroy for his leadership. For more
than 40 years, Ed has been a proud trade unionist and champion for
teachers, students and the basic ideal that all children have the right
to a good education. I am grateful for his efforts not only on behalf of
my campaign but also for his service to America," Clinton said.

The AFT invited all the major presidential candidates to meet with its
executive council. The seven major Democratic candidates accepted the
invitation and individually participated in an extensive
question-and-answer session with the council, and with rank-and-file
members in attendance. All of the announced candidates also were asked
to respond to an AFT candidate questionnaire.

Each of the major Republican candidates also was invited to participate,
but all either declined or did not respond to the invitation.

"The candidates we met with have an impressive depth of experience and
commitment to strengthening America," McElroy said. "With so many strong
candidates focused on the needs of America's working families, it was
really an embarrassment of riches. In the end, our members and leaders
determined that Hillary Clinton is the strongest leader to advance these
causes."

The AFT endorsement activates the union's considerable member education
and political mobilization program on behalf of the endorsed candidate.
The AFT immediately will put in motion a grass-roots campaign to engage
its members throughout the country to help nominate Hillary Clinton.

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The AFT represents 1.4 million pre-K through 12th-grade teachers;
paraprofessionals and other school-related personnel;

higher education faculty and professional staff; nurses and healthcare
workers; and federal, state and local government employees.