Interest Groups and Others Set the Stage for the Second Presidential Debate

PRESS RELEASE from DRM Capitol Group

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 15, 2012
Contact: Cesar Vargas

*** MEDIA ADVISORY***
CONGRESSWOMAN NYDIA VELASQUEZ AND DREAMERS TO HOLD PRE-DEBATE PRESS CONFERENCE TO ADDRESS MITT ROMNEY’S PROMISE TO END DREAMER RELIEF

WHAT: There has been a disappointment in the Latino community as immigration has been a topic not addressed in both presidential and vice-presidential debates. As a result, Congresswoman Velasquez, a DREAM Act advocate in the U.S. House of Representatives and DREAMer Lucy Allain, who famously confronted Gov. Romney on his promise to veto the DREAM Act during a NYC fundraiser, will remind him that the Latino community will not forget his extreme tea-party positions on immigration come election day. Mitt Romney has called the anti-immigrant Arizona law, SB1070, a model for the nation and has said the solution to our broken immigration system is for all undocumented immigrants to ’self-deport.’  On June 15th, president Obama temporarily lifted the shadow of deportation from DREAMers, talented and patriotic youth, brought here as children who know no other home. Lucy and undocumented youth like her, will speak to the worry that many undocumented youth felt when Mitt Romney stated that he would end Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals if he was elected president.

WHO: Nydia Velasquez- New York Congresswoman
Lucy Allain- New York DREAMer
Yajaira Saavedra- New York DREAMer
Erika Andiola - Arizona DREAMer

WHEN: 1:00 PM, Monday, October 15, 2012,

WHERE: Hofstra University: Student Center Theater (by Debate Hall), 1000 Fulton venue, Hempstead, NY

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DRM Action Coalition is a strong voice committed to the fight for the DREAM Act and the rights of undocumented youth. We are the policy and lobbying arm of the DREAM movement and for those who passionately support the DREAM Act.
AARP via PRNewswire

AARP Announces Prime Sponsorship of "Issue Alley" at Oct. 16th Presidential Debate and Launch of Campus-wide Activities on Future of Social Security, Medicare

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y., Oct. 10, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With under a month until the November 2012 elections and New York's Presidential Debates just a few short days away, AARP announced a key sponsorship today to keep issues that matter to 50-plus voters front and center for the candidates; specifically Social Security, Medicare, and Financial Security.   

AARP will serve as the prime sponsor of Issue Alley at the Presidential Debate, an area which has mobile campaign exhibitions hosted by CNN, C-SPAN, Rock the Vote and other nonpartisan groups, where they will each make their case to voters on what should be the most important issues for the upcoming debates and elections. AARP is also sponsoring a series of activities prior to the Presidential Debate on October 16th, taking place at Hofstra University on Long Island, to bring attention to the critical concerns of 50-plus voters, including hosting several on-campus, intergenerational conversations on the future of Social Security and Medicare. 

"As part of our long-standing history of providing our 37 million members and the general public basic, non-partisan information about where the candidates stand on issues important to the 50-plus population, AARP is proud to join Hofstra University in sponsoring Issue Alley at the upcoming  Presidential Debates in New York as a part of our 2012 voter engagement efforts. Our members tell us that they want Social Security and Medicare to be there for their kids and grandkids because they know just how critical these programs are to retirement security," said AARP Executive Vice President Nancy LeaMond.  "These are important issues to voters of all ages, and AARP encourages everyone to make their voice heard about what they think should be done to strengthen Medicare and Social Security."

To a roomful of over 250 participants, AARP held an intergenerational conversation on Social Security and Medicare last night on Long Island at the Hofstra campus and will hold a similar event on Tuesday, October 16th.

The You've Earned a Say TourMobile, part of AARP's national conversation on the future of Social Security and Medicare, will stop at Hofstra at the Debate to engage Americans with the pros and the cons of policy options being discussed in Washington and on the campaign trail, and allow them to send a message to the candidates. 

These activities are part of AARP's proud 26-year tradition of providing non-partisan information so voters can make informed decisions and choose candidates that best fit their views and values.  AARP is non-partisan and does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates.

In addition to the debate at Hofstra University, AARP has sponsored Presidential Debate activities at the University of Denver (CO), the upcoming Vice-Presidential Debate at Centre College (KY), and the final Presidential Debate at Lynn University (FL).

Last month, AARP launched the "You've Earned a Say: Vote for Retirement Security" 2012 Voters' Guides at www.earnedasay.org, featuring information from presidential, senatorial and congressional candidates – in their own words – on their plans to strengthen Social Security, Medicare and financial security.
Earlier in August, AARP released a series of surveys on the opinions of voters ages 50 and over, which found that these voters overwhelmingly think the candidates have not done a good job of explaining their plans on Social Security (67%) and Medicare (63%).  Voters 50-plus – across party lines – say that getting more information on the candidates' plans on Social Security (72%) and Medicare (70%) will help them determine their vote on Election Day.

"Voters of all ages are sending a clear message to the candidates and campaigns: They are tired of the 30 second ads and political spin.  They want straight answers about the candidates' plan for the future of Medicare and Social Security," added LeaMond. 

For more information, please visit www.earnedasay.org.

About AARP
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of more than 37 million, that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for Americans 50+ and the world's largest-circulation magazine; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for the 50+ audience; AARP VIVA, a bilingual lifestyle multimedia platform addressing the interests and needs of Hispanic Americans; and national television and radio programming including My Generation and Inside E Street. The AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. AARP has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Learn more at www.aarp.org.

SOURCE AARP New York

Pizza Hut via PRNewswire

Pepperoni or Sausage? Pizza Hut to Reward Free Pizza for Life to Anyone Who Asks This Question During Oct. 16 Town Hall Debate

Common question debated in millions of American households every night has opportunity to be addressed, courtesy of The Pizza Party

DALLAS, Oct. 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --The Pizza Party may not have been invited to participate in the political debates thus far, but that doesn't mean the tastiest party in the race will be kept quiet come Oct. 16.

To assure America that the real issues being debated in households across the country every night aren't sidestepped by the candidates any longer, The Pizza Party is offering free pizza for life* to an official attendee who asks either of the participants the age-old burning question – Sausage or Pepperoni? – during the live telecast town hall format presidential debate on Oct. 16 at Hofstra University.

Pizza Hut, which last week announced the long overdue formation of The Pizza Party and introduced its crowd-pleasing Big Dinner Box as the Party's candidate, will reward the free pizza should the question get asked. Fans of The Pizza Party, and frankly, who isn't, are encouraged to register and show their support at PizzaHut.com/PizzaParty. Visitors receive free Stuffed Pizza Rollers with their next online order just for signing up. Fans are also encouraged to use the hashtag #ThePizzaParty on debate night in order to further push for this question to get asked of either of the candidates.

"We recognize there are a lot of serious issues to be debated, but we also know a lot less serious – but no less important – ones are being discussed every night inside houses across the country," said Kurt Kane, CMO, Pizza Hut. "So for the candidates to be able to show that they're in tune with all the issues, we felt a pizza-related question on behalf of The Pizza Party was very appropriate for a town hall debate."

Along with empowering America through the debate, The Pizza Party is also asking for America's help in selecting the running mate for the Big Dinner Box. Ballots will open at PizzaHut.com/PizzaParty this Thursday, Oct. 11, the same day the vice presidential candidates take the stage for their own debate. Those who have signed up on the website to be a member of The Pizza Party can choose between wings, pasta or Stuffed Pizza Rollers as the VP.

More information about the debate reward, the VP candidates and the mission of The Pizza Party is available at PizzaHut.com/PizzaParty.

*Reward recipient must be an official attendee and ask either candidate during the live telecast "sausage or pepperoni" or "pepperoni or sausage." Complete reward details are available at PizzaHut.com/PizzaParty.  

About Pizza Hut

Pizza Hut, America's Favorite Pizza, delivers more pizza, pasta and wings than any other restaurant. The only pizza company to be named a top ten franchise in 2012 by Entrepreneur Magazine, Pizza Hut began 50 years ago in Wichita, Kansas, and today operates nearly 10,000 restaurants in more than 90 countries. Pizza Hut, Inc. is a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE: YUM). To check out what's new at Pizza Hut visit PizzaHut.com, or keep up with the brand via its social media channels at social.PizzaHut.com.

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