Today in Spartanburg, SC, Republican Presidential Candidate, Mike Huckabee referred to the ONE Campaign as being rooted in a “true sense of humanitarianism”. His campaign staff, which includes his daughter, Sarah Huckabee, was very helpful in ensuring that the ONE Campaign had an opportunity to hear directly the thoughts of Governor Huckabee towards the cause and the Campaign.

We asked the governor two questions.

The first question we asked was whether or not he believed that the United States has the responsibility to lead in the fight against extreme global poverty and AIDS, TB, and Malaria. His response was excellent. It strongly echoed one of the United Nations MDGs in that he realizes we need to “keep money out of the hands of corrupt governments to ensure that the people receive the aid”.

Next we asked Governor Huckabee about the ONE Campaign in general, “Out of all of the special interest campaigns, why the ONE Campaign?” He answered that the ONE Campaign is “unique because it is not rooted in politics and is based on a true sense of humanitarianism”.

We were extremely thankful for all of his time and support and we look forward to meeting with him again in the near future.

-Wes Mishoe, SC ONE Vote ‘08

The ONE Campaign today joined a blogger conference call hosted by Arkansas Governor and Presidential candidate Mike Huckabee.

The Governor fielded questions ranging from home schooling and No Child Left Behind to the Iraq War and Veteran’s Rights.

Here’s the question we asked:

As a man of faith, what do you see as the moral obligation of the President of the United States in addressing problems such as the spread of AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis, and working to alleviate hunger? Do you support any of the issue campaigns such as ONE Vote ‘08 that are working to bring attention to these problems?”

To which the Governor replied:

“It is a moral imperative. As the Gospel tells us, ‘unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required’,” a direct quote from the Bible (Luke 12:48). “While I don’t have the right as President to force others to act charitably, there are specific cases, especially in providing access to safe drinking water and addressing disease, where a President has a responsibility to take action.”

The Governor went on to explain that the reason he supports and endorses the ONE Campaign is that instability and desperation in the developing world can lead people to become part of terrorist or dissident organizations. Thus, addressing extreme poverty worldwide is critical to the security of the United States.

Thank you Governor Huckabee for answering our question and for helping the ONE Campaign save lives and secure our future.

This past Friday was a busy day for the ONE Campaign in New Hampshire. Many volunteers from both sides of the aisle came out to candidate events to show support for ONE Vote ‘08 and the world’s poorest people.

At a public library in Candia, NH, Gov. Richardson stopped in to speak with voters. In his stump speech, he spoke about the need for American foreign policy to focus more on issues like Darfur, AIDS and poverty in Africa.

After his speech, I spoke with Gov. Richardson and thanked him for talking about the world’s poorest people. I even brought up the fact that in the last debate, Gov. Richardson said that President Bush has done some good work for Africa with the Millennium Challenge Corporation and AIDS in Africa. Gov. Richardson smiled and said, “Well doesn’t he deserve some credit for that”, and told me that we can do even more. The governor said that he believes in the mission of the ONE Campaign in his heart.

Later that day, we ran into Sen. Joe Biden at a diner in Manchester. ONE members were able to talk with Sen. Biden about the Education for All Act. ONE’s Marine, Michael, told Sen. Biden that there are 77 million children in the world that are not enrolled in primary school and that creates an atmosphere where terrorists can set up madrassas to fill the educational needs. Michael urged Sen. Biden to sign onto the Education for All Act, which will help get millions of children, especially girls, in the developing world enrolled in to primary basic education.

Sen. Biden told Michael that he was “exactly right” and that one of favorite quotes is that “if you don’t visit the bad guys’ neighborhood, the bad guys’ neighborhood will visit you”. Sen. Biden seemed to endorse the idea and said that he would look into adding his name to the Education for All Act.

Ask any ONE volunteer and they can tell you that it can be hard work using your voice on the campaign trail. So on Friday night, ONE member Andrea Synborski decided to relax and attend a concert. But this was not any concert, this concert was with Presidential hopeful Gov. Mike Huckabee and his band, “Capitol Offense”. Andrea was able to talk with Gov. Huckabee and tell him about the ONE Campaign. Gov. Huckabee said that AIDS and poverty in Africa was an important issue to him and recognized the ONE band immediately. Andrea said that he put it on immediately, and even wore it during his concert.

From town hall, to the main streets, from diners to rock concerts, ONE Vote ‘08 is engaging all of the candidates to make sure they know it is time to make poverty history”.

Governor Huckabee was in Des Moines last Wednesday for his Iowa Headquarters opening.

I was able to ask him about his plan to fight poverty and why I personally feel it is so important. He said poverty was a big issue for him, here and abroad, and it is an issue that needs to be addressed with by next president’s administration.

He thanked me for having such a passion for the issues and said he hoped that others would feel the same.

At 7:15am this morning I met 2008 presidential candidate and former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, his staff, New Hampshire’s Republican Party Chairman and several reporters, for a 5k run through downtown Manchester, New Hampshire.

We had a long discussion about ONE and the issues facing Africa. Huckabee has worn the ONE band in the past but this was a great opportunity to discuss the Campaign’s objectives and our shared interest in the health and welfare of children.

Our Republican Chairman Fergus Cullen (a skilled and fast runner) kept us on a vigorous pace through the rain and unusually cold conditions. Fergus is interested in ONE and what activities we will be invloved with in New Hampshire. My ONE tshirt, as well as in the shots of the AP photographer, will make NH’s WMUR television tonight. Go ONE!