Rep. Kendrick Meek’s senate campaign says today’s visit to Florida by President Obama will likely include “face to face” meetings between Meek and Obama along with the political fundraising and presidential speeches Obama has announced for the day.
“[Meek] was asked to be on the tarmac to greet Obama when he lands in Miami so that’s big,” camp spokesperson Adam Sharon told TPMDC this morning. “I am sure there will be opportunities for face to face.”
The DSCC confirmed it is helping set up the meetings.
Sharon said Meek has been in discussions with White House advisers about some personal time with Obama, and said he expects “much of the meetings will be fleshed out late today or be arranged on the spot tonight” at the DSCC fundraiser Obama is headlining in Miami beach tonight.
Over the past week, Meek has shored up more support from Florida Democrats. State CFO Alex Sink, the likely Democratic gubernatorial nominee, gave him her endorsement as did fellow Democratic Rep. Corinne Brown, who had briefly considered mounting her own senate bid after Meek entered the race.
Prior to those endorsements, Meek had already earned support from state lawmakers and national groups, including unions and former President Clinton. But he still faces a primary rival in former Miami mayor Maurice Ferre, who only recently entered the race and has lined up what observers call an impressive campaign staff. It’s still not clear how serious a bid Ferre intends to mount, but private meetings with Obama set up with the assistance of the DSCC suggests national Democrats still consider Meek to be their choice for the race against either Gov. Charlie Crist or former state House Speaker Marco Rubio.
