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Representative Kendrick Meek on the Florida Senate Race: A Vulnerable Democratic Candidate

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Florida Congressman Kendrick Meek is navigating a challenging Senate election, with his party's signature program, the Affordable Care Act, being highly unpopular among Floridians. In a recent interview with Greta Van Susteren on Fox News, Meek acknowledged the difficulties his party faces in the state, citing high unemployment and opposition to the healthcare law. Despite these challenges, Meek emphasized his commitment to protecting health care and creating jobs, highlighting his differences with Republican rival Marco Rubio and independent candidate Charlie Crist.

Key Takeaways:

  • Florida Congressman Kendrick Meek faces an uphill battle in the Senate election, with his party's healthcare law being opposed by 53% of Floridians in a recent August poll.
  • Meek acknowledged the difficulties his party faces in the state, citing high unemployment and opposition to the healthcare law.
  • Meek emphasized his commitment to protecting health care and creating jobs, highlighting his differences with Republican rival Marco Rubio and independent candidate Charlie Crist.
  • Meek's campaign has been bolstered by support from former President Bill Clinton, who campaigned on his behalf in Florida.
  • Meek's main focus is on protecting health care, particularly for Floridians who have lost coverage due to the failures of the state's insurance system.
  • Meek claims that Republican candidates, including Marco Rubio, have allowed insurance companies to "trample over Floridians" and have not stood up to special interests.
  • Meek believes that his commitment to protecting health care and standing up to special interests will be a key factor in his campaign's success.

Statistics:

  • 53% of Floridians in a recent August poll oppose the Affordable Care Act.
  • Unemployment in Florida has risen 3 percentage points to 11.7% since President Obama took office.
  • According to Meek, 3,500 Floridians lose access to health care every week.
  • Meek states that insurance companies poured dollars into special interest ads that demonized health care and efforts to create jobs.

Sources:

  • Fox News Channel "On the Record" interview with Representative Kendrick Meek (D-FL), Interiewer: Greta Van Susteren, Subject: Florida Senate Race, Time: 10:20 P.M. EDT, Date: Tuesday, October 19, 2010

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