The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) rarely makes political endorsements, but for the sake of their upcoming convention they're making one — fictional — exception.
The major labor union threw in its support for comedian Amy Poehler's "Parks and Recreation" character Leslie Knope, who announced her candidacy for Pawnee City Council last last year, in an attempt to lure Poehler to speak at the public employee union's biennial convention in June.
"We proudly endorse Leslie Knope for Pawnee City Council," AFSCME President Gerald W. McEntee in a statement. "Knope's public service and her passion for making our communities safer, healthier and stronger make her the right person for the job."
AFSCME uploaded its endorsement video to YouTube on Friday after holding a rally outside its Washington, D.C., offices. Staffers passed out "AFSCME For Knope" signs and chanted "Knope Se Puede" — a spoof of President Obama's 2008 campaign slogan "Yes we can."
"AFSCME members would be thrilled to have Amy Poehler at our convention," McEntee said. "We are prepared to Ramp Up our campaign to draft her, and we will even have waffles for her backstage if she accepts."
