Jenna Buzzacco-Foerster
Start checking your mailboxes, you might just find a letter from President Barack Obama.
The president has penned a letter encouraging Floridians to vote for Democrat Patrick Murphy in the Aug. 30 primary.
“I’m proud to endorse Democratic Congressman Patrick Murphy for the United States Senate. He’s had my back and now I have his,” the president writes in his letter. “Patrick has been a tireless champion for middle-class families, and a defender of the economic progress that American workers and business have made.”
The letter goes on to say Murphy has fought to “strengthen Medicare and Social Security, reform our criminal justice system, and protect a woman’s right to choose.”
“These past eight years we’ve made progress and taken meaningful steps toward creating a fairer, safer, cleaner and more tolerant country,” the president writes. “To continue what we’ve started and to build off the accomplishments we’ve fought so hard to achieve, we need progressive leaders like Patrick Murphy in the Senate.”
Obama goes on to say Murphy will stand up to Republicans who want to repeal the Affordable Care Act, fight for the minimum wage, make college more affordable and promote renewable energy to combat climate change.
“Floridians can count on Patrick Murphy to stand up for them every day as their next Senator,” he said. “I’ve counted on Patrick Murphy — and you can too.”
Both Obama and Vice President Joe Biden have endorsed the Treasure Coast Democrat, and both men have helped raise money for Murphy’s campaign. Last week, the Murphy campaign released a television advertisement featuring Obama.
“I am humbled and honored that President Obama is proudly supporting our campaign to fight for Florida families,” said Murphy in a July 20 statement.
Murphy faces Rep. Alan Grayson in the Aug. 30 primary.
One comment
Pam Keith
July 26, 2016 at 6:41 pm
Here is the skinny on the debates:
WFTV Channel 9, in Orlando is televising a debate the second week of August. We have been informed that the station “reached agreement” with Murphy and Grayson to keep me out of the debate. As far as we can tell, it’s the only debate Murphy has agreed to. The decision was not based on polling, as I am polling above 10% and neither opponent is polling above 30%. This is particularly important as more than 30% of voters remain undecided and are likely to make up their minds based on the debates and Editorial Board endorsements.
To say that I am deeply offended would be an understatement. There is no doubt that Murphy and Grayson are well aware of my public speaking skills. I upstaged both of them at the Florida Democratic Party Convention in Orlando last October, as noted by the Miami Herald and Tampa Bay Times. While the decision to limit the debate to just them was obviously aimed at me, the decision is an utter and irredeemable disrespect to all voters, and to African American and women voters in particular. Patrick Murphy has been exposed as disingenuous and untruthful. Alan Grayson is now dealing with yet another incident of confrontational behavior, as well as allegations of spousal abuse. Democratic voters ought to be informed that they have a choice other than these two men.
But no matter the issues with Grayson and Murphy, the bottom line is this: UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD WHITE MALE CANDIDATES BE ALLOWED TO EXCLUDE THE ONLY WOMAN, AND ALL CANDIDATES OF COLOR, FROM THE DEBATES. This immoral act flies in the the face of the values that our party portends to espouse. That Channel 9 Orlando would participate in such a BLATANTLY RACIST AND SEXIST act boggles the mind. Such decisions not only serve to keep voters ignorant of their choices, but also discourage minorities and women of color from running for high office IN THE FIRST PLACE.
If you are as outraged as I am about this decision, please let your voice be heard. Channel 9 Orlando is a Cox Media affiliate. The street address is:
WFTV
490 E. South St.
Orlando FL 32801
407-841-8380
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