A.G. Gancarski
The last two-term Democratic President wants to ensure Rick Scott isn’t a two-term U.S. Senator.
Barack Obama, who carried Florida in 2008 and 2012’s general elections, is endorsing Debbie Mucarsel-Powell in the latest sign that national Democrats believe Florida may be in play this election cycle.
Obama offers aspirational rhetoric in his testimonial for the Ecuadorian-American candidate, telling Sunshine State voters the election is “too important to sit out,” while noting thematic similarities between her personal narrative and his own.
“Debbie’s story isn’t typical, but then, neither was mine. And maybe in this election, that’s exactly what we need,” Obama suggests, noting her immigrant background, her “growing up in a dictatorship,” and her first job in a “donut shop for minimum wage,” which is ironic given the incumbent Senator’s first business was a donut shop, which he said he bought so his mother would have a job.
“It is an incredible honor to receive President Barack Obama’s support and endorsement in this critical race,” Mucarsel-Powell said.
“It was President Obama who led the historic effort to pass the Affordable Care Act, which now provides health care for over 4 million Floridians — and I plan to continue that critical work in the halls of the U.S. Senate. President Obama’s unmatched leadership and legacy of hope, change, and unity have inspired so many of us to follow the calling of public service. I couldn’t be more proud to have his support as we work towards creating a more united Florida where everyone, regardless of who they are or where they come from, can live and thrive in the Sunshine State.”
Scott and Obama had a chilly relationship during the six years he served as Governor during the Democrat’s presidency, often lamenting that he didn’t have a “partner in the White House.”
The endorsement’s timing is particularly interesting given that Obama is emerging on the campaign trail on behalf of Kamala Harris, whose campaign has sent surrogates to the Sunshine State. But neither the Vice President nor her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, have held a rally in Florida yet.
Whether Obama’s endorsement is a courtesy or a harbinger of increased effort by the presidential ticket down the stretch in Florida remains to be seen, but Democrats certainly would welcome increased engagement.
The RealClearPolitics polling average in Florida shows Scott up by 4 points, but some public polling has been closer. While no surveys show Mucarsel-Powell ahead, Scott’s campaign announced a $10 million TV buy this week, suggesting that the incumbent sees the race as competitive.
See the video below.
23 comments
Bobblehead Kammy
October 4, 2024 at 6:59 am
Sorry Debbie. Not even Obama can save you. Maybe the donut shop will take you back.
Tom
October 4, 2024 at 7:26 am
You seem awfully confident. I mailed my ballot back yesterday and she had my vote. Who knows what might happen. R’s are only up 4 points in FL and nobody believes pollsters anyhow so maybe it’s within the margin of error and the state could turn purple again.
Bobblehead Kammy
October 4, 2024 at 7:46 am
Debbie really looking for the Hispanic vote to carry her. The same people that ousted her after a single two year term in Dade County. She is toast.
Billy Rotberg
October 4, 2024 at 9:18 am
Tom and the other dems always vote against the best interests of everyone.
JD
October 4, 2024 at 9:26 am
Prove your claim. Why do you lie?
Rick and JD's gay man sex emporium
October 4, 2024 at 10:57 am
Slow day at the emporium, pole smoker?
Tom
October 4, 2024 at 2:10 pm
I’m unaffiliated and vote D because I think trump is a moron – it’s that simple. I did register R to vote for Nikki Haley in the primaries and that went nowhere but … I tried. Frankly neither party works in my best interest. Tax breaks for billionaires or debt relief for people who signup for a loan and can’t accept responsibility for their actions. I pay either way because I worked my whole life so as not to rely on anyone else including the Government.
yew oweme
October 4, 2024 at 3:03 pm
TOM, i’m a progressive dem, and i have worked very hard, like you, so that i can not depend on the govt. or anyone. i did well, but i went for decades without taking days off and working 10 to 14 hours a day. anyway, i am a dem, so i believe in people, over money. the debt relief you mentioned in your post, well, in my 72 plus years, i have seen WAY more corporate debt relief being issued without re-payment, than the paltry amount that people on the bottom get, even if they work. what i find most despicable about the gop policies is their unspoken motto, which states, ” i got my money, now you try to get yours, and see if i let you.” i couldn’t be an independent because i stand for something. that something, is people over money. as far as i know, an independent says, what are you going to do for ME. maga says, what can we do for trump. i do realize i over-simplified it, but politics is like that. best to ya
It’s Complicated
October 4, 2024 at 7:18 am
The political advantage Rick Scott has had in every race he’s run in is boatloads of cash. It’s very difficult to overcome.
yew oweme
October 4, 2024 at 10:50 am
that’s why money should be taken out of politics, like before raygun messed it up by changing laws.
"E"
October 4, 2024 at 9:29 am
Slick move on BO’s part,
Coming out of the closet with only a couple of weeks prior to the election means a whole lot less of these lame down-ballot along with Harris idiocy will stick to BO.
Gettin in late & gettin out quick …. genious move BO.
“E”
yew oweme
October 4, 2024 at 10:54 am
EARL, the only slick move you know about involves ky. earl please quit pretending you understand politics and go back to just acting a fool. that, you are semi – skilled in.
Rick and JD's gay man sex emporium
October 4, 2024 at 11:20 am
Rick was abused sexually by the VC and enjoyed it. That explains the ky reference. He wants everone to be converted to his sick lifestyle.
yew oweme
October 4, 2024 at 1:36 pm
what you talking about willis?
PeterH
October 4, 2024 at 11:53 am
Florida deserves representatives in Washington who are willing to change immigration laws. Rick Scott has failed ….. we can do better.
MHDuuuval
October 4, 2024 at 12:12 pm
Crying time coming soon — we’ll see who’s shedding the tears.
The equal rights of women are at stake, so I expect them to carry Debs over the finish line.
The revanchist Miami Cubans and Venezuelans will go for Trick, but the Boricua will go for Debs.
A day without Libturds
October 4, 2024 at 12:28 pm
What a vivid imagination you blue cultists have!
Ruth A Francis
October 5, 2024 at 12:18 am
I am a Hispanic American who has been living in Florida for 35 years and was born in the US.
Until she ran I did not know who she was nor what is her platform.
Maybe the people who listen to Hispanic radio know her.
I am a proud Republican and there are a lot of Hispanics in Florida highly educated speaking for myself, I do my research and will vote for the person who has a driven success record in achievements that serve the best interest of our communities.
As a proud Hispanic American who has lived in Florida for 35 years and was born in the US, I believe it’s crucial to vote for a candidate with a proven record of achievements that serve our communities’ best interests. Despite not initially knowing her platform, I am open to learning more about the candidate. I am part of a highly educated Hispanic population in Florida, and I will make an informed decision based on research rather than assumptions.
Bobblehead Kammy
October 5, 2024 at 5:49 am
Debbie is going to get run over. She can’t even carry Dade County. You keep running away from my offer to bet on this. Just like Kammy running away from her last four years.
MHDuuuval
October 5, 2024 at 10:38 am
Trick and Trump are doing some running themselves — both afraid to debate female candidates.
MHDuuuval
October 4, 2024 at 5:33 pm
Peachy imagines that Vance’s jive at the debate will lull women into voting MAGA. Not a very high opinion of the distaff side.
Garyl
October 4, 2024 at 10:22 pm
Always vote against anyone obama backs if you want to keep our country as you know it.
MHDuuuval
October 4, 2024 at 11:25 pm
FOP = friend of Peachy, or doppelgänger?
Comments are closed.