One Million Voters Sign Petition, Commit to voting on the issues of Healthcare, Economic Security and an End to Partisan Bickering.

Source: AARP Press Center

October 23, 2008

Contact: Drew Nannis, AARP, 202-434-2560, anannis@aarp.org

Washington, DC - On the verge of the upcoming election, Divided We Fail announced today it has received its one millionth pledge to keep the candidates focused on delivering the solutions to our nation’s current crises.

“In less than two years, the Divided We Fail has brought in more than a million people who have signed commitments to demand elected leaders deliver action and not just rhetoric,” said AARP’s Executive Vice President Nancy LeaMond. “Along with our one million pledges, we also have received signed commitments from a majority of both House and Senate members, including Senators McCain and Obama. It’s obvious that Divided We Fail is generating the political will necessary to bring about change in 2009.”

In addition to its pledge signing campaign, Divided We Fail and AARP have:
• Invested tens of millions of dollars on national TV, radio and print advertising;
• Hosted multiple issue forums in every state to help educate voters;
• Released voter guides that include direct quotes from the candidates on health and economic security issues;
• Attended nearly every major candidate campaign event to ensure that Senators McCain and Obama speak on the issues of health care and economic security;
• Sponsored dozens of candidate debates for every office from the Presidential primaries to members of Congress;
• Signed up nearly 100 other organizations that support Divided We Fail, including everyone from the Entertainment Industry Foundation to Girl Scouts USA;
• Fielded and released national polling on the issues of health care and economic security to the general public and the presidential campaigns; and
• Hosted multiple national issue forums and briefings on Capitol Hill.

In addition, after Election Day the groups that make up Divided We Fail – AARP, Business Roundtable, National Foundation of Independent Business and Service Employees International Union – will release mutually agreed upon health care principles that the groups, and the more than 50 million people they represent, insist must be a part of any health care reform discussion.

“One million pledges is an indication of the importance of these issues to all Americans, and we have no intentions of stopping here,” added LeaMond. “Divided We Fail is looking forward to having these million pledge signers help us keep an eye on every member of Congress and the Administration, so we can ensure that the promises made on the stump are promises kept.”

The pledge, available online at http://www.dividedwefail.org, follows:

I want to join with millions of other Americans to support candidates who will give us action, answers and accountability on health and lifetime financial security. We need to elect leaders who will end the gridlock in Washington and get things done.

I pledge to:
• Vote for candidates who will ensure that all Americans have access to affordable, quality health care.
• Vote for candidates who will ensure that all Americans have peace of mind about their long-term financial security—with a real plan of action, and a real commitment to the American people.
• Vote for candidates who are specific about what they’ll do and how, and who stop speaking in generalities.

I’m using my vote to deliver the message that the time to address these problems is now.

Candidates owe us action, answers and accountability, and they must commit to delivering long-term, lasting solutions if elected.

About AARP
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world's largest-circulation magazine with over 33 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP's 40 million members and Americans 50+; AARP Segunda Juventud, the only bilingual U.S. publication dedicated exclusively to the 50+ Hispanic community; and our website, AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.