Florida Democratic Senate candidate Kendrick Meek says he's the only true Democrat in the race and the only pro-choice candidate, thinks that will resonate with voters.
Listen to audio:(An edited audio will be uploaded tomorrow)
The Florida Senate race is in full swing and the candidates – Democrat Kendrick Meek, Republican-turned-Independent Gov. Charlie Crist and Republican, Marco Rubio are crisscrossing the Sunshine State in a bid to convince voters why they are the best candidate to head to Washington D.C. Last Thursday I had a chance to speak with African American Kendrick Meek, fresh of his phenomenal win against billionaire Jeff Greene. Meek, who has been a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives since 2003, after succeeding his mother, Carrie Meek, considers himself the “Only True Democrat” in the race. Meek, who is trailing his opponents in the polls, brushes off any thoughts that he’s fighting an uphill battle to win the Senate seat in November. He is confident he will prevail in the election.
Much has been made by his Republican opponent Marco Rubio, in terms of President Barack Obama's endorsement of Kendrick Meek. Rubio has maintained Meek supports President Obama's agenda, which is seen as largely unpopular by many, as evidenced from his plummeting poll numbers. I was also surprised that Mr. Meek thought some of my questions about how he would address some of the issues facing many people in his state and the country by large, were not applicable as he "isn't running for the White House," but for a Senate seat. I would imagine that many of the issues a senate or congressional candidate campaigns on are basically local, but when he or she gets to Washington D.C. it becomes a national issue. On that basis, the questions were justified. Especially, in light of the fact, that many politicians vote along party lines, no matter how idiotic or divisive it is.
Here are some key statements Kendrick Meek made in response to some of my questions:
Hinterland Gazette: To what do you attribute this win? President Bill Clinton campaigned with you and you had the backing of President Obama, as well as the Democratic establishment. Besides those endorsements, what else contributed to your win against Jeff Greene?
Kendrick Meek: Hard work, commitment and a lot of volunteers, and the fact that we made the case that I had a real plan to support the leaders to create jobs. Great opportunity for our economy to bounce back and that resonated with the voters. I am the only pro-choice candidate in the general election and that resonated with voters. I am a real Democrat and that will be the case in the election. That's why we are going to do well.
Hinterland Gazette: I went to your website and one of your comments jumped out at me. "Floridians want leaders who will fight for them all the time, not just when it helps their own political career or advances an extreme philosophy." How would you counter any claims that you are typical partisan politician who will side with President Obama on just about everything? That seems to be the problem in Washington D.C. today with politicians on both sides of the aisle.
Kendrick Meek: By being a leader for Floridians and for the people who sent me there. I didn't agree with the Obama administration on its proposals for NASA. I stood up for Floridians. I didn't totally agree with the administration's energy policy on off-shore drilling. I didn’t leap into the arms to the administration. Now we see what has happened with off-shore drilling. (slightly inaudible) I said I had great concerns with it. It is very important to note that I have always been an elected official stood up on behalf of the people I represent. Class sizes, smaller class. I fought hard to get it on the ballot to make sure we had smaller class sizes & in the state of Florida.
Hinterland Gazette: President Obama seems like a political liability for many Democratic candidates who are up for election in November. You have his support, so will you allow him to campaign with you? Since the wars and the economic woes we are dealing with now as a country have become his and not his predecessor's, how do you feel about being labeled a supporter of President Obama's largely unpopular agenda? With that I mean your opponent Marco Rubio has already referred to you in such a manner.
Kendrick Meek: Yes, absolutely, absolutely. I always say this health care in the long run and short run as it relates to prescription drug benefits seniors have right now should be cut in half. That must be in place to bring about quality health care in this country. I am not satisfied on that. Must improve it and make it better. It will take the next United States senator to make it happen. That’s one.
Two, the issue of the war. The president said he would take the leadership to make sure that we have our combat troops return by mid-September, they’re back in August. Combat troops are back on state side. Afghanistan, I am looking forward as United States senator to push diplomatic solutions to the issue of Afghanistan and Pakistan and using not only drones but others ways in the hunt of Osama bin Laden and high value targets that relate to those that are fighting against us there. I guess the questions you are asking are questions…. I am not running for the President of the United States…
Hinterland Gazette: The reason I bring this us is because Marco Rubio has started putting you in this light with being in agreement with all of President Obama’s positions. I wanted you to clarify your position on that.
Kendrick Meek: Marco Rubio is in the position of raising taxes on small businesses. Marco Rubio is an extremely right candidate who’s out of step with Floridians. He has to respond to that. I have a better track record than Marco Rubio.
Hinterland Gazette: Let me just piggy back off this issue with Marco Rubio. You said you would be running against two Republicans.
Kendrick Meek: Absolutely. He’s a life-long career Republican. Just because Charlie Crist ran down to the Supervisor of Election office saying I am Independent doesn’t necessarily mean that he’s an independent and that he feels that he can run and that he has a lot to point to show that he’s an independent. He doesn’t. He’s a conservative. He wrote a letter saying that I shouldn’t vote for the health care bill. Now he’s saying maybe you should. I like some parts of it, some parts of it should be repealed. Come on.
Hinterland Gazette: The housing crisis has taken a toll an enormous toll on Florida being the state with the third highest foreclosure rate in the country. As I said before the modification program hasn’t lived up to its expectation and people are exiting for different reasons. What would you propose for the people of Florida because the unemployment rate is high there as well, and particularly in the black and Latino community. What would you tell the voters, particularly the people on Main Street?
Kendrick Meek: The bottom-line is that there’s assistance to be able to pull together between homeowners and also banks. I think it is important to head down that track. We will not be able to resolve all the issues that some homeowners have, but I think it is important and in the best interest of not only local communities, but also the country, that we find a way that homeowners and banks can come together. There’s assistance or a low interest loan opportunity, or banks taking the hit on some of what they feel is that they have coming to them to keep that person in that home. Nine times out of 10 it is much cheaper than going through the full foreclosure way……
The interview was cut short due to a loss of reception on Kendrick Meek’s part. Despite the interruption, it is clear that Kendrick Meek believes he is the best candidate to represent the state of Florida in the U.S. Senate. He said he doesn't believe Crist, who has been dubbed as the Florida’s “first black governor,” can derail his plans, though he trails both he and Rubio in the polls. I would venture to say, if Kendrick Meek can get 85% of the Democratic votes, then he could win the election, but that is a long shot, given the popularity of Charlie Crist as a governor and the fact that he is well-liked by many Democratic voters. It is clear Kendrick Meek will gain coming off a phenomenal primary, but one has to wonder if he can convince Florida Democrats to run from Gov. Charlie Crist. Based on Ipsos, Mason-Dixon, PPP & Quinnipiac polls (08/06 – 08/22), Meek is in a dead heat with Crist for Democratic votes – 37 to 43% but he’s being walloped with Independents – 9 to 42% and Republicans – 1 to 20% against Charlie Crist, still I can’t count him out.
Here's a snapshot of the latest polls: Meek is narrowly trailing Crist for Democratic votes but the gap is far bigger for Independents and Republicans.
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