The marathon portion of the Election is over, the sprint has begun—50 days and counting
By Congressman Alcee Hastings
In my opinion, our national elections are too long and our local elections too many. But, that is a column for another day.
In a recent column I wrote about a conversation I had with our distinguished Supervisor of Elections, Dr. Brenda Snipes, wherein she said there was “no buzz.” That conversation took place during the recent Primary election. She was spot on, just over 11 percent of us voted, which I must add, was the worst turnout in the state. That deserves a big WOW!
Now let’s move on.
Since that conversation, I have done the following:
1. Laid the foundation for five important meetings and/or rallies.
2. Encouraged, and they accepted, the Congressional Black Caucus bus tour visit Florida A&M University, Bethune Cookman, Florida Memorial, Jacksonville, Orlando, Riviera Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami. They will be here in late October 2012.
3. Encouraged, and he accepted, the preeminent Civil Rights legend, John Lewis, to do an event for the Broward County Democratic Party. He will be here Sept. 27, 2012. Check with the Democratic Party for details at (954) 423-2200.
4. Opened my campaign headquarters (4419 North State Road 7, Lauderdale Lakes). I do not have Republican opposition, but I do have a non-affiliate on the ballot. So I plan to campaign as I always have. I believe I could coast to victory, but that would not help President Obama, Senator Bill Nelson, other democrats, judges, and the need to defeat all 11 ballot issues. (More about that soon. Those issues are dangerous.)
5. I made speeches and attended rallies in Fort Pierce, Riviera Beach, Deerfield Beach, Hollywood, Fort Lauderdale and Belle Glade.
6. I attended church three Sundays.
7. Went to the Fort Lauderdale Elks Club three times.
8. And, I had numerous individual meetings and phone calls, all discussing our need to get out the vote, with a special eye toward President Obama’s re-election.
9. Oh, almost forgot that I attended fund raisers for Senator Bill Nelson, and candidate Patrick Murphy, who is challenging Allen West. (Need I say more? I didn’t think so.)
10. I also learned that the brothers of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. have joined forces in an initiative, “1911 United” to support the re-election campaign of President Obama.
“The history of 1911 United began with the friendship and political achievements of two members of America’s Historically Black Colleges and Fraternities. While celebrating their Fraternity’s 100 Year Conclaves, these two conceived that even more could be done in the histories of both fraternities. From there, the two members of each fraternity gave birth to the idea of creating an organization to assist in the re-election efforts of our first African American President, President Barack Obama.
The 1911 initiative is not authorized by any candidate or any candidate’s committee and is an independent political committee and is not affiliated with or otherwise sponsored by any other organization.
The mission of 1911 United is to invigorate the electorate across all seven battleground states to not only take responsibility for educating themselves on the electoral process, but to also encourage all who will listen to re-elect the President of the United States, Barack Obama. The primary objective in this endeavor is to simply educate voters on the issues most pressing to their financial, social, educational, and occupational outlooks. The goals of the brothers include registering millions of voters and the central theme is to partner together to spearhead a new movement for our country, an educationally uplifting and powerful movement.”
This is outstanding news. I assure you the other fraternities and sororities are doing similar activities.
I am beginning to feel that there is some “buzz” now. We must accelerate our involvement. My hope is that we will shut the naysayers and prove the doubters and haters wrong.
Are you with me!!
