Press Release, Sarasota County Democratic Party, 10-Feb-2012
Rita Ferrandino, Chair of the Sarasota Democratic Party, focused her February message to Democratic supporters on the controversy over religious objections to contraception.
"The religious right and other critics continue to misconstrue the President's agenda," Ferrandino said. "As a Catholic woman, I feel strongly that the anti-choice zealots are promoting religious discrimination in the name of religious freedom."
"Why should anyone be denied health care coverage that everyone else gets - just because their employer has a religious objection? Religious freedom does not mean the freedom to discriminate or oppress. As a fierce supporter of women's rights - and a lifelong Catholic - I support the no cost option for contraception the Affordable Care Act provides because it is the right thing to do. I'm not alone."
The message also said that the President is not ordering the Catholic Church, its followers, or anyone else to use contraception. No one will be required to use contraception. And churches and houses of worship will continue to be exempt from the requirement to offer insurance that covers contraception.
"The President has a strong record of leading with his values and his faith," said Ferrandino. "All of us — fair-minded men and women alike — must support the President by making our opinions heard now, and in November with our VOTE!"
"Civil Rights: The Struggle Continues" is Theme for 2012 Kennedy-King Dinner
Press Release, Sarasota County Democratic Party, 6-Feb-2012
Sarasota County Democrats will hold their annual event named for President John F. Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King at 6:00 PM, March 4th at Michael's on East in Sarasota. The theme of this year's event is "Civil Rights: The Struggle Continues."
Nadine Smith, Executive Director of Equality Florida, and the Honorable Kasim Reed, Mayor of Atlanta Georgia will be the keynote speakers. These dynamic speakers will share their perspectives on the current state of civil rights in America.
Nadine Smith has spent the last 15 years advocating for civil rights for the LGBT community as Executive Director of Equality Florida. As she has said, "this is not about gay rights, it's about civil rights." With 9 years in the Georgia State Legislature and now entering his third year as Mayor of Atlanta, Mayor Kasim Reed is also an expert in the politics of civil rights.
"We are excited to have two such powerful speakers joining us on March 4th," said Rita Ferrandino, Chair of the Sarasota County Democratic Party. "Their message and their experience with the struggle for civil rights are so important right now - especially as those civil rights are being threatened by initiatives from the religious right, voter suppression laws, and other attacks."
The event begins with a social hour at 6:00 PM, and dinner served at 7:00. Entertainment will be provided by The Soul Sensations. Tickets are $100 each and must be reserved by February 25. More information is available by phone at (941) 330-9400 or online at
www.sarasotadems.org/KK2012
where tickets can be purchased.
Komen Foundation failed by defunding Planned Parenthood
Press Release, Sarasota County Democratic Party, 5-Feb-2012
The Sarasota County Democratic Party today released the following statements on the Presidential Primary Election:
“Access to affordable healthcare is a basic human right. And that's why it was so important for so many women to stand with Planned Parenthood. This isn't just a war on women, it is an assault on healthcare for all Americans.”
-- Rita Ferrandino, Chair, Sarasota County Democratic Party
“Local Democrats were outraged by the Komen Foundation's decision earlier this week to cease their funding of breast cancer screenings for 750,000 women a year. They may have changed that decision, but that doesn't mean Planned Parenthood and the hundreds of thousands who rely on their services are safe from future attacks. Women are watching and will not stand for the GOP War Against Women.”
-- Rita Ferrandino, Chair, Sarasota County Democratic Party
January Marks 23rd Consecutive Month of Private Sector Job Growth
Obama for America web site, 3-Feb-2012
January's jobs numbers are in! The U.S added 243,000 jobs in January, far exceeding analyst expectations - and the unemployment rate dropped from 8.5 to 8.3 percent. That's 23 consecutive months of private sector job growth under President Obama.
Romney and Gingrich both Losers in Today's Primary Election
Press Release, Sarasota County Democratic Party, 31-Jan-2012
The Sarasota County Democratic Party today released the following statements on the Presidential Primary Election:
“Mitt Romney & New Gingrich are both losers in today’s election. They lost Independent voters across the country after running to the far right and taking the wrong side of issues important to our communities. In particular, Hispanic voters are showing low support based on the extreme rhetoric on immigration during televised debates.”
-- Rita Ferrandino, Chair, Sarasota County Democratic Party
“This Florida election is all about the money. Romney and his Super PAC allies have outspent Gingrich in Florida by more than $12 million, shoveling more than $15 million into television ads to carpet-bomb voters our state. Rich Rick Scott poured $80 million into buying his job, and Rich Mitt Romney is looking to do the same.”
-- Rita Ferrandino, Chair, Sarasota County Democratic Party
Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz in Sarasota for Keith Fitzgerald Event
Press Release, Sarasota County Democratic Party, 30-Jan-2012
Democratic National Committee Chair and Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Shultz will be in Sarasota today to meet with voters at two separate events. Her stop in Sarasota comes less than a week after a visit from First Lady Michelle Obama.
Wasserman Shultz will be a special guest at a private fundraiser for Keith Fitzgerald, who is running for Congress against incumbent Vern Buchanan. This race has already been identified by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) as a key race in the Democrats' effort to regain control of the House of Representatives.
"Coming so closely on the heels of Michelle Obama's visit, Rep. Wasserman Schultz's stop in Sarasota today emphasizes the importance of Sarasota County and Florida in this year's election," said Rita Ferrandino, Chair of the Sarasota Democratic Party. "Florida is one of a few large swing states that will determine who will be the next president, and Keith Fitzgerald's campaign to unseat Vern Buchanan will be a bellwether in the battle for control of Congress."
First Lady Outlines President Obama's Vision to Improve Quality of Life for All Americans
Press Release, Sarasota County Democratic Party, 26-Jan-2012
Sarasota's position as a focal point for the 2012 presidential election was reinforced Thursday as First Lady Michelle Obama included the city in a one-day campaign swing of three key Florida markets.
"With a powerful and diverse electorate, the eyes of the nation will be rightly focused on Florida this year. And Sarasota County is earning the distinction of holding its own with big dogs like Palm Beach, Orange and the Tampa Bay area," commented Sarasota County Democratic Party Chair Rita Ferrandino.
Mrs. Obama made a brief stop in Tampa before attending a luncheon at a private home in Sarasota where she mingled with several hundred guests. She is attending a fundraiser in Palm Beach County tonight.
Michelle Obama opened her remarks by enumerating the President's accomplishments during his first 36 months in office such as establishing a consumer watchdog for the financial industry, creating tax incentives to help small businesses, healthcare reform and fair wage legislation, the very first bill he signed after taking office. But as the emphasis shifted to what lies ahead, the First Lady said that she and her husband draw their inspiration from the American people, their values and their commitment. "The President believes there are no second-class citizens in America," she explained. "Every night he reads letters from citizens across the country and he feels strongly that everyone deserves the opportunity to make a better life." She added, "President Obama carries the collective stories of the American people imprinted on his heart."
"Mrs. Obama did an excellent job outlining the steps that will be necessary to re-elect President Obama and help him finish the job he started when we sent him to the White House three years ago," Ferrandino added. "Following the President's vision for our future, we can come together using the shared values we believe in and transform the U.S. into role model of humanity and progress for the world."
