African-American candidates running statewide in the South find tremendous challenges and often times feel the only way they can win is to run as far right as possible. See Harold Ford in the Tenn U.S. Senate Race and now Artur Davis in the 2010 Alabama Gov's Race.
Kendrick Meek, unlike Davis, did not shy away from voting for health care reform and we learned today that he is opposed to new drilling in the gulf. The Don't Drill Baby Drill candidate.
Florida had not been a race that I had previously felt great about, but seeing the stands that Meek is taking I certainly feel confident in supporting him. He's running like a Democrat and not a centrist, conservative or DLC candidate which we've seen in the past from Ford and now Davis.
Let me offer you this gem from Meek's diary earlier today
I've always opposed misguided efforts that threaten Florida's economy and environment by haphazardly drilling offshore. The vast oil spill off the coast of Louisiana - which led Gov. Crist to declare a state of emergency in several Panhandle counties - confirms this sad truth: the cost for error in Florida is too great. If thousands of barrels of oil spill over into our coasts, our economy, environment and military will all bear the brunt of massive corporate irresponsibility.
Despite this tragic spill, Marco Rubio stands by his position to drill baby drill and you never really know if Charlie Crist is in or out on any issue as he generally sits on a virtual fence. We already knew we don't Crist in the Senate and we certainly don't need the ultra-wingnuttery of Rubio.
After watching the landscape of this race, I've consulted with other members of Progressive Electorate and we've added Kendrick to our Act Blue Page. What also impressed me about Meek was that he qualified by signatures.
Here's a great interview of Meek on CNN last week
Here's our Act Blue Thermometer - we ask that you help us get started raising money for Meek and any of our other candidates that you like tonight
I also urge you to sign Meek's petition telling Crist and Rubio to take a stand against offshore drilling.
We need to stand up for a Dem who's running like a Dem and let him know that it will pay off. Davis Davis's constant tacking to the right might possibly cost him the Democratic Gubernatorial primary. Harold Ford certainly didn't win any friends or gain any influence amongst progressive Dems.