Divided We Fail reaches out to GOP candidates in Florida

From national television to college campuses, Divided We Fail is making strides reaching out to candidates and volunteers in Florida.

After two days of "bird-dogging" candidate events, campaign staff and AARP Florida State Director Lori Parham took a swing Oct. 21 at the Fox News post-debate spin room, making contact with Republican Party officials and presidential candidates on the issues of health care and lifetime financial security.

Seven of the 25 (28 percent) of the questions asked by Fox news moderators directly touched on DWF issues, and GOP candidates engaged in a strong debate on both issues.

"Pocketbook issues are real in people's every day lives," said Parham. "Just this week, Social Security recipients felt firsthand the sting of rising healthcare with a cost of living adjustment that fails to keep up with increases in Medicare payments."

Earlier on Sunday, at a town hall forum, GOP presidential candidate Sen. John McCain thanked AARP and Divided We Fail volunteers for their dedication. He had noticed a few volunteers holding a sign and making their presence quietly known outside of a fundraising venue the day before in Orlando.

"Thank you AARP for your engagement, and thank you all the Divided We Fail volunteers for your hard work," McCain said, before answering a question about financial security asked by DWF volunteer Terri Koopman. McCain and GOP hopeful Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee have signed the DWF pledge, and Divided We Fail staff talked with staff on other presidential campaigns about the initiative.

Florida activities also included a guest column by Lori Parham in the FSView, Florida State University student newspaper, and a joint column in the Sunday Tallahassee Democrat authored by Parham and representatives from the Business Round Table and SEIU.

"I'm very pleased that we have been able to connect with students around the state," Parham said. "Another first for us was a DWF article in the Florida State University student newspaper. These issues are resonating with our young people, as well as our members."