With the 2006 elections over, ONE’s eyes are on making extreme poverty and global AIDS part of the conversation in the race for the White House.

And so I’m pleased to be able to post that two potential presidential candidates, one a republican and one a democrat, have decided to take public HIV/AIDS tests at a World AIDS Day Conference in California on December 1.

See below from the AP:

To reduce stigma around the test and publicize its value, “I’m happy to offer my body for science,” Brownback said in a telephone interview Friday. “People need to get the test,” he added.

Obama press secretary Tommy Vietor said, “If two United States senators can do it, then everyone else can too.” …

Obama and Brownback are featured speakers and will appear on a panel titled, “We must work together.”

“I think you are seeing the beginning of a great coming together on the left and right dealing with Africa,” said Brownback, alluding to the continent’s AIDS epidemic and social and economic problems.”

Read the full article here.