Here's what former Miami Mayor Maurice Ferre had to say about my blog and article about his longshot U.S. Senate campaign. (I've taken the liberty of correcting his misspelling of my last name.)
January 21st 2010 Beth
Reinhard's article "Ferre Campaign Hanging on by a Thread" is
misleading and, while Ms. Reinhard is entitled to her opinion as a
journalist, she didn't report anything I had to say about the status
of the campaign in an on-the-record conversation. I spoke with
Ms. Reinhard for 30 minutes. She took all the negatives but none of
my rebuttals regarding why my campaign will be viable.
My
campaign raised just under $100,000 in the first quarter. While
I am disappointed, it is still a significant start. I noted that
Marco Rubio had a disappointing first quarter of fundraising but that
his fundraising had improved as he has become more
competitive.
I also noted that the campaign has fundraisers
scheduled in New York and Puerto Rico and that I am confident I will
have enough resources to effectively communicate with the voters prior
to the August Primary.
My campaign manager Todd Wilder has
taken a leave of absence to deal with the illness of his
parents. Bill Fletcher, perhaps one of the smartest guys I have
met in politics, has gone off of compensation but will produce our
media in the late summer and continues to give sound advice.
I
am optimistic about a race for the U.S. Senate in which my opponent
has been running for more than 18 months but has not garnered more
than 26% of the Democratic Primary vote. The race for the
Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate is wide open. I find
Florida Democrats want a candidate with experience but don't want
someone partially responsible for the current mess in Washington and
Tallahassee.
When I was in public service, Democrats and
Republicans worked together to solve the people's problems.
Things got done on a bi-partisan basis. Politics and
government were not marked with the rancor, divisiveness and
corruption present today. I offer the voters real hands -on
experience at getting things done in government without being part of
the problem today.
Politics has become a cesspool driven
by special interests. We need fresh thinking and truly
independent elected representatives who have experience, perspective
and nothing but the public interest – rather than reelection – at
heart.
America is ready for reform. As I speak at
condos and Democratic clubs and civic organization meetings, I sense
that voters are tired of incumbents and are ready for fresh ideas and
new approaches based on proven experience. Although Ms.
Reinhard did not reflect it, I am optimistic about this campaign, I
believe I will be the Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate, and I
will beat whichever Republican emerges battered from their
Primary.
Sincerely,
Maurice
Ferre
Related posts:
- Maurice Ferre calls himself a Senate candidate
- Maurice Ferre blasts Kendrick Meek’s ties to Wackenhut as company pays Miami-Dade for fake billing
- Is Maurice Ferre About to Mount a Senate Campaign?
- Ferre campaign hanging on by a thread
- Everything you wanted to know about Maurice Ferre but were afraid to ask. By Geniusofdespair