This week, thousands of voters across the 26th District received the 2008 AARP Voters' Guide, detailing the candidates' positions on a number of important issues.  Alice stands proudly with the AARP on protecting Social Security, improving the financial security of hardworking families, and making health care more affordable for all Americans.  Once again, Chris Lee takes no stand at all.

Lee refused to attend the AARP candidates' forum even though they tried to arrange a date around his schedule, and did not respond to the AARP's questions about his stand on health care, Medicare, and Social Security.  He continues to avoid taking positions on the issues important to the people of Western New York, hiding behind another lying attack ad released this week that derided people in the district as "extremist."

"While Alice stands with working families, Chris Lee only talks about more deregulation and more risk," said campaign spokesperson Anne Wadsworth. "He wants to continue the policies that led to this financial crisis, and he wants to make health care work like the financial industry. Those policies might help Chris Lee and his Wall Street friends, but they'll hurt the hardworking families of Western New York."

Alice has also been endorsed by the Alliance for Retired Americans. She will be a strong defender of Social Security in Congress, making sure that it will be there for all seniors. If people work hard and play by the rules, they should be able to earn a decent wage, provide for their families, and build a better future.

"We live in the greatest country in the world. We can and must have a society that works for all Americans," said Alice. "In Congress, I will be an independent voice for the hardworking families of this district, making sure that they achieve the security and prosperity they have worked so hard to earn."

Stacey Kratz got us this info about the Champmobile that's set up right now at Washington Towers on State Street in Batavia until 3:00pm this afternoon.

What’s big and purple and coming to Batavia?

Find out when AARP and Divided We Fail unveil the “Champmobile,” a sprawling 56-foot-long interactive educational vehicle designed to engage voters in the 2008 Election.  Wrapped in purple glazed photos of Washington, D.C. monuments and pulled by a muscular F-350 Ford Super Duty pick-up, the Champmobile will stop in Syracuse as it makes it way through upstate New York and the rest of the country.

Media and the general public are invited for a hands-on tour of the Champmobile, which features wireless internet and satellite feeds allowing voters to e-mail a candidate, a camera station to record a YouTube message for the next president, and a podium where they can give their own mock presidential address.

“New Yorkers want our lawmakers in Washington to know that they are tired of partisan gridlock and they want substantial changes on the issues of health and lifetime financial security,” said Lois Aronstein, AARP New York State Director.  “We’re excited about the opportunity to engage voters of all ages in the election process and give them a chance
to let their voices be heard.”

Background:  The Champmobile is named after Divided We Fail’s mascot, Champ, who represents the bipartisan effort of the nationwide effort (www.dividedwefail.org) designed to engage the American people, elected officials and the business community to find broad-based, bi-partisan solutions to the most compelling domestic issues facing the nation – health care and the long-term financial security of Americans.