MIAMI GARDENS, FLA - Kendrick Meek, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, continues to consolidate support from Florida Democrats as he receives the endorsements of Rep. Mark S. Pafford (D-West Palm Beach), Rep. Darren Soto (D-Orlando), and Rep. Scott Randolph (D-Orlando). Statements by Rep. Pafford, Rep. Soto, Rep. Randolph and Kendrick Meek follow:
Rep. Pafford (D-West Palm Beach) said, "Kendrick Meek's career has always been defined by his commitment to the people of Florida. Like me, he has stood in opposition to big oil and offshore oil drilling to protect Florida's coastlines. Kendrick also understands the importance of protecting another natural resource: our children. As a father I am grateful that Kendrick fought to restrict class sizes so that our children can excel. I am honored to give Kendrick my support and will continue to fight with him for Florida."
"Kendrick Meek has a long and reliable record of supporting issues Hispanics care about, including a strong economy, advancing education through smaller class sizes, equality, and fair wages. He was a strong supporter of Justice Sotomayor's nomination and is against the Arizona style immigration law, issues important to our community. Kendrick Meek has asked for our support and I am honored to stand by him in Central Florida," said Rep. Soto (D-Orlando).
"Kendrick Meek has been protecting the people of Florida since his days as a Florida State Trooper. He's not afraid to stand up and speak truth to power. In his opposition to HB 1143, Kendrick stood for all women as a champion of choice. Kendrick is committed to securing justice for every Floridian, not just the ones with big pocketbooks. I am proud to stand by Kendrick and endorse his candidacy for the U.S. Senate," reported Rep. Randolph (D-Orlando)
"I am honored to have the support of these three outstanding public servants. They have each fought tirelessly for the state of Florida and aren't afraid to stand their ground on tough issues. These three men work relentlessly to protect the people of Florida because they understand what's at stake. They are leaders who have strong roots in Florida and in their communities. I value their vision and their insight as principled men of character. Florida is fortunate to have them and I am honored to receive their support," said Kendrick Meek, Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate.
Our campaign has also picked up the support of Al Gore, as he writes.
Florida has had its share of close elections, but this Senate race really ought to be a landslide. And it would be if people just look hard at the facts.
Kendrick Meek is the only one in this race who has consistently opposed offshore drilling. He is the only one who will ensure that we all have quality health care, and the only one who will focus on helping working Americans, rather than wealthy corporations.
Here is the bottom line: We have to help make sure Florida voters have all the facts about Kendrick and his opponents.
We've got just 42 days until Election Day, and Kendrick needs your help so he can keep his ads on the air and tell it like it is. His opponents are getting all the help they need - from corporations and special interests. Kendrick relies on you-his grassroots supporters. He needs you to make a donation today so he can raise $75,000 before the critical September 30 end-of-quarter deadline.
Click here to make an immediate donation to Kendrick's campaign. He needs his grassroots supporters to help him raise $75,000 by the September 30 deadline.
As you know, I'm working hard to raise awareness about the serious threats to our environment. One reason it's so hard is because the polluters don't want any protections for the environment that might reduce their profits, so they have managed thus far to kill climate change legislation that would have protected our children and grandchildren.
Unlike his opponents, Kendrick Meek never has been and never will be in the pocket of these special interests. He was against offshore drilling long before the terrible oil spill in the Gulf, and he's always worked to protect our beaches and wildlife, research and develop energy sources like solar power, and promote a better environment.
With Kendrick in the U.S. Senate, we can rest assured that there's somebody in Washington looking out for us. But that will happen only when he can raise the funds to stay on the air until Election Day-just 42 days away. You are an integral part of Kendrick's campaign because he relies on you for support, not oil companies and special interests.
Please make a donation to Kendrick's campaign today and help him reach his goal of raising $75,000 before the September 30 deadline. If he reaches this goal, I know he'll be able to win in November.
Once people get the facts, the choice will be clear and Kendrick Meek will be the new United States Senator from Florida. With your help today, we can make sure the facts get out.
Sincerely,
Al Gore
We are also having a Rally for Kendrick Meek with former vice president Al Gore.
THURSDAY, SEPT. 30TH
DOORS OPEN: 4:45PM
TAMPA LETTER CARRIERS HALL
3003 W CYPRESS ST
TAMPA, FL 33609
RESERVED TICKETS AVAILABLE ONLINE AT http://www.kendrickmeek.com/al... OR CALL 877-354-6335 FOR DISTRIBUTION LOCATIONS
The New Organizing Institute is a vital piece of progressive infrastructure, training a new generation of online organizers.
Each summer they have an intense one-week "Boot Camp" which, in addition to many daily trainings, includes a mock election run by teams organizers over the course of the week. This year's election featured super heros running for DC mayor.
Over the last two months, there have have been 3 special elections in which Democrats have been fighting to take back seats from the Republican Party - IL-14, where Democrat Bill Foster was elected to Congress in what used to be Republican Speaker of the House Denny Hastert's seat; MS-01, where Democrat Travis Childers is seeking to take over Republican Roger Wicker's seat in a special election run-off to be held May 13th; and here in LA-06, we have Don Cazayoux, who is seeking to do what no Democrat has done here in 33 years ... represent the Capital area of Louisiana in Congress.
When I sat down to read what was being said in the world today, I came across Barack Obama's speech in Indiana the night of the Pennsylvania primary. It was the speech we haven't heard from Barack during this 14 month campaign ... as it was a call to action for Democrats.
The money quote, to me, in a speech full of them, was this:
We can seek to regain not just an office, but the trust of the American people, that their leaders in Washington will tell them the truth. That's the choice in this election.
That's what this election right here in Baton Rouge is about. Do we want to listen to the lies of man who knowingly did business with David Duke back in 1996? Or do we want our politicians to tell us the truth about our country, and the choices we will have to make over the next few years?
I'm voting to be told the truth, which is why I am voting for Don Cazayoux. Yeah, that's an endorsement, as Don will level with you on the issues. He'll tell you where he stands, and if he needs more time to look at the issue, he'll tell you that too. Isn't that we should expect from our leaders?
I like both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. I'm supporting Clinton, but it would be OK with me if she didn't get the nomination. I've come to see them both as suitably progressive and inspiring for my taste, certainly in comparison to the horror that is John McCain. I'm liberal, and not just to a degree.
Added 04-Jan-2008: As noted at Free State Politics (original source here), it looks like the endorsement from MSTA/NEA is the real deal. Apparently Mr. Wynn simply jumped the gun in mentioning this in his 31Dec robocall.
It's a disappointment, but not really a surprise given Mr. Wynn's past support for policies advocated by the NEA. Particularly for distressed schools - which PG County has in some quantity - NCLB has been a real burden to teachers, on top of all the other crap they deal with. Having an advocate in Congress who is in the majority party and has some seniority was clearly irresistable. [FWIW, announcement is on Wynn's campaign site, but my quick searches of the MSTA and NEA Websites didn't find anything. Presumably these folks will release their own statements soon.]
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In anticipation of the Feb.12 Maryland primary, featuring a strong challenge from Donna Edwards, a robocall recorded by Congressman Albert Wynn was left on my answering machine on the afternoon of Mon. 31Dec2007. A transcription of this New Years Eve robocall is provided below the fold.
I found no statement of endorsement at either organization's site for Mr. Wynn, but it is possible that they simply haven't been posted yet, perhaps due to limited holiday staffing at these organizations' offices; my research capabilities could also be deficient. If any readers have information on MSTA and/or NEA endorsements for Albert Wynn, please let me know in comments (TIA). The only remotely relevant item I could find via a Google search is Matt Stoller's early November post at Daily Kos on Progressive Maryland's endorsement of Donna Edwards, where one of the listed Board of Directors for PM (Betty Weller) is associated with MSTA (Vice President through mid-2009, according to this MSTA site). It should be noted that Mr. Wynn has done some things in Congress that MSTA/NEA support, so an actual formal endorsement by one or both of these organizations is not inconceivable. However, I was just poking around in His Corporateness' campaign website, where I would have thought such a well funded, resource-rich operation would have posted such important endorsements immediately - even during the holiday - but I also came up empty here. Hmm...
The transcript, and some final comments, are below the fold.
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