The troubled campaign of former US Democratic front-runner Howard Dean suffered another huge setback when one of the three unions that endorsed his campaign last fall withdrew its support.
The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees backed away from the former Vermont governor after union President Gerald McEntee and leaders of the other two unions met with Dean in Burlington, Vermont.
"We respect President McEntee and we will work hard to earn the support of AFSCME members in Wisconsin next week," said Dean, who squandered big leads in the polls and a record bank account but has targeted the February 17 contest in Wisconsin for a possible final stand.