Platts reported that the big United Steelworkers union remained steadfast in its support of former Senator Mr John Edwards of North Carolina despite Senator Mr Barack Obama's impressive victory in the Iowa caucuses.

A USW spokesman told Platts that "We remain completely committed to Senator Edwards."

The USW represents 1.2 million members and retirees.

Mr Marco Trbovich of the USW's Pittsburgh based communications office said that "There is a good deal of evidence that Mr Edwards' strong showing in Iowa resulted from his forceful commitment to changing policies that have shortchanged everyday Americans to the advantage of powerful interests.” He added that "On to New Hampshire, where that message is already being projected by Senator Edwards."

It was back in September that the USW endorsed Edwards as the Democratic party's nominee for president. The USW, the nation's largest private sector union, was joined in making its endorsement by the United Mineworkers of America, giving Edwards the largest bloc of union support at the time among the field of presidential candidates.

In making the announcement last fall, Mr Leo W Gerard president of USW had said that "All of the Democratic candidates in the field share our values, and any one of them would be a major improvement over the current administration." He added that "But none of them is a more forceful advocate for those values than Mr John Edwards."

Senator Obama's victory in Thursday's Iowa caucuses gave him the early lead in the party's nominating process as well as momentum. The USW had noted in September, however, that numerous polls showed Edwards to be the most elect able Democrat.