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Politics

Miami's Rep. Meek to work on Clinton campaign

By ADAM C. SMITH
Published June 13, 2007

Not many political endorsements matter greatly, but Hillary Clinton is poised to pick up one Florida supporter that probably does: Democratic Rep. Kendrick Meek of Miami.

The 40-year-old rising Democratic star is expected to announce his support for the New York senator on the popular Tom Joyner radio show today. Meek, who was Florida chairman of the John Kerry campaign in 2004 and led a successful 2002 campaign to mandate smaller class sizes in Florida, will be a "senior adviser" to the campaign.

"She's in my opinion the best candidate, the candidate that I know can lead this country in a new direction in many areas - Iraq, health care, and the economy, " said Meek, who expects to mobilize Florida voters, campaign for her in key states, and advise the campaign on policy and strategy.

The endorsement caused some confusion last week, when it had first been expected. After the Clinton campaign suddenly canceled a conference call to announce a "major" Florida endorsement, Meek sent the campaign a letter stating that he had not endorsed Clinton and that the campaign was "not authorized" to cite any endorsement from him.

Meek said Tuesday night that word of his endorsement had spread prematurely, and that he was still talking to the senator about how he might help the campaign.

"We are thrilled and honored that congressman Meek has agreed to serve as a senior advisor to the campaign, " said Clinton campaign manager Patti Solis Doyle. "He's been a real leader in Congress and that leadership will be a huge asset to the senator and to our campaign."

Adam C. Smith can be reached at asmith@sptimes.com or 727893-8241.

[Last modified June 13, 2007, 00:34:24]