ONE Puts Presidential Candidates ‘On the Record’ with Plans to Combat Extreme Poverty and Global Disease

ONE Puts Presidential Candidates 'On the Record' with Plans to Combat Extreme Poverty and Global Disease

Major Candidates-from Hillary Clinton to Mitt Romney-Participate in Video and Web Initiative

*** New ONE  TV Commercials Set to Air This Week ***

For Immediate Release:
Contact: Kimberly Cadena
kimberly.cadena@one.org
Phone: (202) 669-0802

December 11, 2007

WASHINGTON, D.C.... ONE has unveiled the results of an unprecedented initiative that puts all the major presidential candidates from both parties side by side and 'On the Record' regarding how they will confront extreme poverty and global disease if elected.

The interactive website, ONEVote08.org/ontherecord, allows voters to view for the first time videos of the major candidates responding directly to issues such as extreme poverty, HIV/AIDS, hunger, universal education and preventable disease. The website also features written specifics from each of the candidates on these issues, and gives voters user-friendly web tools to compare and discuss their policies and positions.

"The time for platitudes and broad strokes is over. Just saying that a presidential candidate is against extreme poverty and global disease is not good enough. ONE members have successfully challenged the candidates to lay out their comprehensive plans to beat back AIDS, erase malaria, increase access to clean water in the poorest countries and help create a more stable, hopeful world. For the first time, voters can compare the candidates side by side and decide for themselves who is serious about taking on these vital issues," ONE spokesperson Kimberly Cadena explained.

Throughout November, tens of thousands of "On The Record" petitions were signed by voters across the country and handed directly to each of the major presidential contenders by ONE members following them on the campaign trail. Today's website launch will also be supported by a new ONE television commercial that will air next week in Iowa, New Hampshire and nationally on cable channels.

Since its launch in June 2007, ONE Vote '08 has organized tens of thousands of voters and ONE members across the early primary states of Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina, where they have been on the ground engaging directly with the candidates and their campaign teams about the fight against extreme poverty and global disease. To amplify this grassroots firepower, ONE Vote '08 has signed on a team of political strategists and policy experts, including national co-chairs and former Senate Majority Leaders Bill Frist and Senator Tom Daschle. ONE Vote '08 is not endorsing or opposing any candidate, but is encouraging all presidential candidates to address these critical issues.

"After months of talking face-to-face with the presidential contenders, ONE members are earning concrete, tangible commitments. The candidates are talking about these issues on the campaign trail, and they are now on the record with their plans and policies. ONE members will continue to insist the candidates address these issues as part of their foreign policy platforms throughout the primary and general election," Cadena said.

ONE Vote '08: Saving Lives, Securing Our Future does not endorse or oppose any candidate, but urges all presidential candidates to take a stand on these critical issues and present their plans to solve problems associated with global disease and extreme poverty. The non-partisan effort brings together a broad range of talent.  Co-chaired by former U.S. Senate Majority Leaders Bill Frist of Tennessee and Tom Daschle of South Dakota, ONE Vote's advisory team includes former Nebraska Senator Bob Kerrey, political strategists Jack Oliver, Steve Jarding and Dina Powell, former White House Chief of Staff John Podesta, presidential advisors Donna Brazile, Tucker Eskew and Mike McCurry, pollsters Geoff Garin and John McLaughlin, and leaders from the faith community, national security experts and many others.

On The Record is a project of ONE Action to educate voters about the presidential candidates' plans on issues of importance to ONE Action's members. Only 501 (c)(3) activities are funded by The ONE Campaign.

ONE is an effort by Americans to rally Americans -- ONE by ONE -- to fight the emergency of extreme poverty and preventable global disease. ONE is a coalition of more than 2.4 million people and more than 150 of the nation's leading relief, humanitarian and advocacy organizations.  For more information, visit ONE.org.

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