Freedom Democrats

"The Democats are coming....The Democrats are coming."

The Freedom Democrats certainly hope that this is the “cry” associated with Democrats in 2007 and in November of 2008.

As a caucus chartered by the Florida Democratic Party, Freedom Democrats do not endorse one Democratic candidate over another. We do however want to involve as many people in the local, state, and national races of each Democratic Candidate as early as possible and let everyone know of open GLBT candidates running.

By sharing information on candidates and their positions on issues important to the GLBT community, Freedom Democrats hope to ensure greater awareness and participation in the democratic process. This will result in more interest and, we hope, more people voting in 2007 and November 2008 for Democrats and openly GLBT candidates.

To this end, we will continue to inform our members and friends of any and all events, that we know about, that are happening in South Florida in regard to local and statewide races in 2007 and 2008 and the 2008 Presidential Race.

We invite all Democratic and GLBT candidates, and their respective supporters, to share this information with us as soon as possible. This includes Democratic candidates for local and state races, as well as national races.

We will then post that information on the calendar section of http://www.freedomdems.org and the candidates information below.

We also guide everyone to go to www.EqualityGiving.org and click on politicians where you can find information on all the presidential candidates' positions on LGBTQ issues (including Republicans). eQualityGiving also provides several web-based services to donors for free including email alerts, a discussion network, conference calls with leaders, and advice for strategic giving.

Freedom Democrats will do our best to send out bi weekly reminders of those candidates that may be in or are making a “swing” through South Florida. These gatherings might be a meet and greet, a campaign stop, a fundraiser, or any event which gives our members and friends an opportunity to meet, ask quesions of and hear a candidate.

As of March 19, 2007 Freedom Democrats contacted the campaigns of the following Democratic and/or GLBT candidates to share their “South Florida Calendar” with us. If we have left a Democratic or openly GLBT candidate out, please email us at Info@freedomdems.org and we will update our list and calendar.

Candidates are listed in alphabetical order:

2008 Presidential Race:

Senator Joe Biden
http://www.joebiden.com/

Senator Chris Dodd
http://www.chrisdodd.com/

Senator Hillary Clinton
http://www.hillaryclinton.com/

Senator John Edwards
http://www.johnedwards.com/

Congressman Dennis Kucinich
http://www.kucinich.us/

Senator Barrack Obama
http://www.barackobama.com/

Governor Bill Richardson
http://www.richardsonforpresident.com/


2008 Florida -- US Senate Race:

None for 2008


2008 Florida -- US Congressional Race(s):

Florida District 25 vs. Mario Diaz-Balart (R – Incumbent)

Michael Calderin
Florida District 25 US Congressional Candidate
www.calderin2006.com

Florida District 21 vs. Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R – Incumbent)

Frank J. Gonzalez
Florida District 21 US Congressional Candidate
786-287-7491
voteliberty@bellsouth.net
MySpace link: www.myspace.com/gonzalezforcongress
Updates & commentary: www.groups.yahoo.com/group/gofrank/

Local Miami Dade Races:

2007 Miami Beach Commissioner Races:
Michael Gongora in 2007 (re-election) -- GLBT Candidate
Commission Group V
http://www.michaelgongora.com

Frank Kruszewski in 2007 -- GLBT Candidate
Commission Group VI
http://www.frank4mbc.com

2007 North Miami City Council Race:
Scott Galvin
http://www.scott-gavin.com

2008 Florida -- State Senate Race(s):

None identified as of March 20

2008 Florida -- State House Race(s):

Florida District 109
Chris Norwood
(website information to come)

Posted by Freedom Democrats at 5:18 PM | Permalink

Greetings one an all from your Freedom Democrats.

We are very excited to be entering 2007 with a Congress that controls BOTH the House of Representatives and The Senate.

While we are very happy that the people of the United States have spoken, and desire a new direction of leadership, it is now time to return the Presidency to a new direction of leadership, which includes caring for all people of the United States and not just a few.

There are many important issues that are still unresolved today. These issues revolve around healthcare, social security "security", medicare, drug benefit programs for the elderly, immigation, the environment, the minimum wage, homeland security, terrorism, and our place as a respected world leader, to name just a few.

Please join us at our two monthly meetings, please see calendar section for date, place, and time, and help us help represent your voice to our local, city, county, state and federal office holders.

We look forward to meeting and hearing from you and thank you for your ongoing support of the Freedom Democrats, fighting for your rights as an equal citizen of this great country.

Posted by Freedom Democrats at 9:11 AM | Permalink

Freedom Democrats thank you for your support and interest.

We look forward to a wonderful 2007 and in bringing you ongoing information on issues that are important to Miami Dade citizens.

We will again be having monthly social events starting up again in January so please check back for these updates and enjoy your holidays with family and friends.

Please check out the "News Section" on this site and archived areas for other topics of interest and good reading!

Happy Holidays.

Posted by Freedom Democrats at 11:35 AM | Permalink

Freedom Democrats want to take moment and say thank ALL of you for everything you have done to support us the past six months to our drive to the elections this past November 7.

Building any organization is difficult and building a political one in Miami Dade can be a challenge, so say the pundits. Freedom Democrats disagree.

We have found that many people ARE very interestd in their local, state, and national politics. The "answer" we provide to the community is to be an ongoing source of information and events for ALL of you, GLBT, straight, or otherwise.

Our mission is to represent your voice and our goal is to be the consistent information source and organization that is there each and every month, letting you know what is happening. in our community and holding elected officials accountable.

Please continue to "help us help you" and participate in our ongoing dialogue to protect all civil rights for all people. We promise to continue to ask the establishment and our elected officials if they are being visionaries in protecting the future of Miami Dade County for all of us.

Freedom Democrats

Posted by Freedom Democrats at 11:15 AM | Permalink

Freedom Democrats offer the following links to helping you, the voter, find the information you need to make an informed decision about whom you vote for and referendums on the ballot for the up coming November 7 elections.

Freedom Democrats' charter does not allow us to make any endorsements for candidates. We are here as an information source and encourage you all to vote. Our underlying name might give you a hint as to whom we think you should vote for, but the decision is your decision. We hope these links help.

Excellent on Who is Running in Your Miami Dade District For Florida State Offices…It is VERY simple…do it now!
http://www3.capwiz.com/aol04/e4/address/?state=FL&view=state

Candidates Voter Guide for ALL Offices...State and Federal
http://www.politics1.com/fl.htm

Voters’ Guide to Issues/Referendums in Florida
http://www.votesmartflorida.org/mx/hm.asp?id=download_voterguide

Miami Dade Congressional District Maps...How do I know for whom I can vote = What is My District?
http://fcit.usf.edu/florida/maps/congress/congress.htm

Excellent Overview of Who Is Running in Florida
http://projects.washingtonpost.com/elections/2006/fl/

FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY
(Freedom Democrats cannot make endorsements):

From the State Forida GLBT Democratic Caucus
http://www.floridaglbtdemocrats.org/candidates.html

SAVE DADE Local Miami Dade Endorsements
(not all of these endorsements are supported by the Florida Democratic Party nor State Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus)
http://www.savedade.org/endorsements.htm

Statewide Equality Florida Guide -- As November 7 Elections Pertain to the GLBT Community
http://www.eqfl.org/issues/votersguide.php

Posted by Freedom Democrats at 4:55 PM | Permalink

Friends, members, Democrats, Independents, and everyone else (yes Republicans too):

There are many wonderful events happening over the next 40 days as we drive to the November 7 elections. We encourage everyone to attend at least 2, if not all of these events, as they are fun, bring together wonderful people, and educate.

More imortantly, these events give YOU, the voter, the opportunity to ask questions and listen to candidates viewpoints and positions on issues as they pertain to you. Please don't miss out.

The best way to find out about these events is to click this link now, http://www.localendar.com/public/PHILTERMEDIA/freedomdems. Most of the events for Miami Dade County are listed in this section of our site.

We do our best to update this calendar section with events from other Democratic and Democratic friendly organizations AND, thus, if you know of an event that we have missed, please let us know, by sending an email to Info@FreedomDems.org, and we will put it up on the site immediately.

Don't forget to VOTE on November 7 and make sure your friends do too!

It is our time to move this country in a truly compassionate and intelligent direction.

Respectfully submitted,

Freedom Democrats

Posted by Freedom Democrats at 5:32 PM | Permalink

Members and Friends of the Caucus:

We had another wonderful social mixer evening on Tuesday night at the National Hotel on South Beach with about 15 people attending the first part of the evening and another 10 showing up just before 9:00 pm. Six new members signed up!

Thank you to those who came - we really appreciate your enthusiasm!

To those of you who could not make it, we encourage you to come to our next event scheduled for Tuesday, October 24th. We are looking bring a nationally known figure to this event to speak to us and are holding it one week earlier this month due to Halloween.

As a reminder, we are very fortunate to host our social mixer an hour before the start of the famous Martini Tuesday, hosted by Edison Farrow, so please come to our event and then visit with other new friends thereafter.

The highlights of the social mixer:

1. Our new website is launched. You can now donate online, become a member and stay up to date on what is happening.

2. Congressional candidate Michael Calderin sent a representative for his campaign. Michael is charging ahead to win a "winnable" seat for the Democrats from Congressional District 25, please see http://www.calderin2006.com/new/ . He is THE Democrat candidate and has the full endorsement and support of the Freedom Democrats. Mr. Calderin’s district is approximately 40% registered Republicans and he has a real shot to unseat incumbent candidate Mario Díaz-Balart in November. Mr. Calderin is taking a leadership role on LGBT issues and we thank him for his dedication to support all Americans' rights. Michael needs our help...any donation is much appreciated.

3. The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force is having their annual dinner November 4 and honoring Julian Bond chairman of the NAACP, longtime civil rights activist and one of the founders of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) in 1960 and Robert (Bob) Cole, who has long been a tireless, unsung hero for the LGBT and HIV/AIDS communities, please see http://www.thetaskforce.org/miami/06/index.html. The Freedom Democrats will be hosting one table. If you would like to be a part of that table, please email Chip Arndt at chip@arndtstrategies.com or call 310.770.7204 (cell).

4. We will be creating a voter's guide for Miami Dade which will be released to the public October 15. Please email us at Info@FreedomDems.org to get copies of this guide to hand out to people.

Your Caucus is here for you. Only with your help can we elect officials who will be there for you when it counts today and for years to come. We are all in this together!

Respectfully submitted,

Chip Arndt
President
Freedom Democrats

If you wish to become a member, please click here now http://www.freedomdems.org/membership.html or email us at Info@FreedomDems.org. Annual Dues are $25.00 (that is equivalent to 7 cents per day).

Join now and be a part of changing Miami-Dade and our State. Questions, concerns, just want to chat privately? Please e-mail Chip Arndt at chip@arndtstrategies.com or call 305.895.9466 x113 and ask for Chip Arndt.

We are here because we care and want to hear from you.

Posted by Freedom Democrats at 11:36 AM | Permalink