TAMPA – Over the coming weeks, Senator Barack Obama will be sending top policy advisors and staff to attend meetings with Floridians in communities all across the state to get their insight and ideas about the most pressing challenges facing America.
Obama, who’s running for president to challenge conventional thinking in Washington, wants to further his policy agenda by consulting with the people actually affected by these challenges – not Washington special interests.
“The Obama campaign is building a grassroots movement for change to re-engage Americans in our democracy and empower them to set the agenda in Washington,” Florida Policy Director Ian Bassin said. “Floridians are facing real challenges right now – from the rising costs of owning a home to a state economy losing record numbers of jobs. To address these issues, Senator Obama doesn’t just want Floridians’ support, he wants to hear their stories, their concerns and their opinions.”
Florida Forums for Change will launch this Sunday (Aug. 10) in Port St. Lucie with U.S. Senator Ben Cardin and Florida Policy Director Ian Bassin moderating a discussion on baby boomer retirement security, and on Monday in Pembroke Pines with Former U.S. Energy Secretary Gov. Bill Richardson leading a discussion on new energy for America.
The public is invited to Florida Forums for Change to share their stories and provide valuable recommendations to help shape Senator Obama’s policy agenda. Previous listening sessions in primary states helped Senator Obama craft plans to reform a failing health care system, promote energy independence through alternative energies, and to help revitalize and strengthen rural America.
New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson has been an international leader on foreign affairs and energy policy for more than a decade. His impressive resume includes serving as a U.S. Representative, Ambassador to the United Nations, and U.S. Secretary of Energy.
U.S. Senator Ben Cardin of Maryland is a national leader on health care, retirement security and fiscal issues since coming to Congress in 1987. In 2006, he was elected to succeed Paul Sarbanes in the U.S. Senate. In the Senate, he serves on the Foreign Relations, Judiciary, Environment and Public Works, Budget and Small Business Committees. In 2002, as a member of the House, he voted against giving the President the authority to go to war in Iraq. He has called on President Bush to present the American people with a plan to bring our troops home.
