Florida
Oct 4th, 2010 3:02 PM UTC
By Field
Sara Paterni, Will Godfrey and Mitt Romney
ONE is hitting the campaign trail to find out where candidates stand on extreme poverty. Stay tuned for more updates like these from our field team and organizers on the road.
On Friday, Sara Paterni and I traveled to Land O’Lakes, Florida to catch up with former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and Florida Republican Senate candidate Marco Rubio.
This was the second stop on a trip that first took us to Tampa on Thursday to see former Vice President Al Gore and Florida Democratic Senate candidate Kendrick Meek.
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Rep. Meek and Al Gore in Tampa
We are officially a month out of the midterm election, and I am proud to see that so many ONE members across the country have been working hard to make sure that politicians in open Senate seats on both sides of the aisle recognize the importance of fighting extreme poverty around the world.
Yesterday, I joined our Congressional District Leader Kathleen Barclay at a campaign event in Tampa for Rep. Kendrick Meek.
The event featured several state and local politicians, as well as former Vice President Al Gore, who made an appearance to show his support for the candidate.
After the speeches, we got the chance to shake hands with both Meek and Gore and let them know about ONE. Despite the crowds, Kathleen was even able to band Al Gore!
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Gov. Crist and a few Florida ONE members
On Sunday, a group of Florida ONE members and I caught up with Senate candidate, Gov. Charlie Crist — who was being endorsed by former Rep. Robert Wexler in Boca Raton — to remind him about ONE and the world’s poorest people.
When Gov. Crist arrived, he immediately recognized our ONE shirts and came right over to us before making his way to the stage for his speech! As I was telling him about our work to increase awareness about extreme poverty and preventable diseases, he nodded in agreement and said “Yes, we must take care of the world’s most vulnerable people.”
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Sep 20th, 2010 4:59 PM UTC
By Field
ONE is hitting the campaign trail to find out where candidates stand on extreme poverty. Stay tuned for more updates like these from our field team and organizers on the road.
I went with some Florida ONE members and caught up with Republican U.S. Senate candidate Marco Rubio at a barbecue Picnic in Jacksonville on Saturday to urge him to continue America’s role in fight HIV/AIDS, malaria, and hunger in the developing world, if he is elected to the US Senate.
After a long day of speeches, we were able to talk briefly with Marco about ONE. He instantly recognized our shirts and told us, “You guys are everywhere!” We thanked him for always taking the time to speak to ONE members, and told him that we looked forward to working with him and his campaign as ONE Vote 2010 rolls on throughout this election season, as we urge bold leadership that is helping to save millions of lives in the poorest nations on Earth.
Since its launch in July, ONE Vote 2010 has met with each of Florida’s U.S. Senate candidates and introduced them to the ONE Vote 2010 platform. Over the next 49 days, ONE Vote Florida will continue to build support for American efforts that save lives in world’s poorest places.
Be sure to connect with other ONE Vote 2010 Florida members on Facebook and Twitter.
- Will Godfrey, ONE Vote 2010 organizer, Florida
Sep 20th, 2010 3:24 PM UTC
By Field
ONE is hitting the campaign trail to find out where candidates stand on extreme poverty. Stay tuned for more updates like these from our field team and organizers on the road.
On Friday, the three candidates for the open U.S. Senate seat in Florida joined together for their first debate – and ONE members were there to greet them!
At the Univision Studio in Doral, Florida, Congressman Kendrick Meek, Governor Charlie Crist, and former Speaker of the Florida Statehouse Marco Rubio were met by ONE members who stood by the entrance to the studio waving ONE signs. We wanted to let all of the candidates know that we will be out in full force as we continue to take action and make sure that the next senator from Florida – Republican, Democrat, or Independant – knows that saving lives in the poorest places on Earth is not only possible, but that it is a priority!
Since its launch in July, ONE Vote 2010 has met with each of Florida’s U.S. Senate candidates and introduced them to the ONE Vote 2010 platform. As the campaign pushes forward, ONE Vote Florida will continue to engage candidates and voters alike on the emergency issues of extreme poverty and preventable disease.
Be sure to connect with other ONE Vote 2010 Florida members on Facebook and Twitter.
- Will Godfrey, ONE Vote 2010 organizer, Florida
It’s been a busy week here in South Florida. It all started when I ran into Rep. Ted Deutch, (D-Fla.), while attending a Senate campaign event at Delray Beach. In a packed gymnasium, the congressman took aside some time to talk to me about ONE.
ONE Field Organizer Sara with Rep. Hastings
ONE Field Organizer Sara with Rep. Deutch
It turns out that Deutch was familiar with ONE and very interested in learning more about our organization. Local ONE members in Deutch’s district followed up with his staff in the hopes of meeting up with his office this fall.
On Tuesday, I traveled to the west coast of Florida to sit down with Kara Wright, district director for Rep. Connie Mack, (R-Fla.). As we talked, I explained how ONE works locally to mobilize public opinion in support of tested and proven methods for tackling poverty, like the Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
Although we understand that appropriations work is largely done until after the November election, we hope the Rep. Mack will look ahead and support a strong, three-year, $6 billion pledge to the Global Fund at its replenishment conference in October. Kara encouraged me to keep her informed and to let her know about upcoming local ONE activities.
Yesterday, I met Rep. Alcee Hastings, (D-Fla.), at his office in Fort Lauderdale. After just a few minutes of listening to him speak, I could tell that Rep. Hastings cared very much about international issues. In fact, he has consistently supported legislation to fight global poverty.
I thanked him for his leadership, specifically for signing onto the Congressional Black Caucus letter to the House Budget Committee, which asked members to preserve President Obama’s International Affairs budget. As I was leaving, Rep. Hastings thanked us for our work in the state and encouraged us to continue to engage community members and local leaders in the fight to end extreme poverty and disease.
Stay tuned to my Twitter account as I travel throughout the region to meet with our elected officials this fall. No matter where you live, your voice can help encourage our elected leaders to take urgent action to fight HIV/AIDS, malaria and hunger around the world.
ONE is hitting the campaign trail to find out where candidates stand on extreme poverty. Stay tuned for more updates like these from our field team and organizers on the road.
On Thursday afternoon, ONE was back on the campaign trail in South Florida with Senate candidate Marco Rubio at a meet and greet in Palm Beach County.
We spoke with him about ONE and the importance of continued American leadership in the fight against extreme poverty and preventable disease. Thanks to America’s bipartisan leadership on global health issues, we’ve helped save more than 5 million people suffering from HIV/AIDS.
As we shook hands, I reminded Rubio of our first meeting a few weeks back, and we were thrilled he remembered ONE!
We also talked to him about our efforts in Florida with ONE Vote 2010, our campaign to encourage candidates from all parties to, if elected, support the fight against extreme poverty. Marco thanked us for our efforts as he slipped on a ONE band. Excited to get involved with ONE Vote 2010, he asked us to follow up with his staff about what he can do to help the world’s poorest.
Right now, it is more important than ever to reach out to all of our Senate candidates. With their support, American leadership will continue to save lives in the poorest nations on earth. These life-saving efforts around the world show America at its best.
As we fight to end hunger, provide clean water and access to medical treatment to those who can’t afford it, we can build a better and safer world.
Be sure to connect with other ONE Vote 2010 Florida members on Facebook and Twitter.
