Fighting for Families campaign to include bus tour of "blue mayors in red states," nationwide voter registration drive and round-the-clock truth squad effort

DENVER (08/26/08) - National Conference of Democratic Mayors (NCDM) President, Providence Mayor David N. Cicilline joined Minneapolis Mayor and NCDM Vice President Mayor R.T. Rybak; Albuquerque, New Mexico Mayor and NCDM Vice President Martin J. Chavez; Southfield, Michigan Mayor and NCDM Vice President Brenda L. Lawrence and dozens of other mayors to launch Fighting for Families: a coordinated effort among Democratic mayors to elect Senator Barack Obama.

"We are here today to deliver a very simple message: America's cities cannot afford another term of a Republican White House," said Mayor Cicilline. "Mayors live side-by-side with the families who are suffering the consequences and see the connection between failed policies and struggling families. We are going to do everything in our power to elect Senators Barack Obama and Joe Biden in November."

"America's cities need a new partnership with our federal government," said Mayor R.T. Rybak.

"For too long mayors have been building our nation's economy, fighting crime and addressing global climate change without support from Washington. This failed partnership needs to change, which is why mayors are working so hard this year to elect Senator Obama - a true champion and partner for America's cities."

The mayors pledged to mobilize foot soldiers in cities and town across America in the weeks leading up to the Presidential Election with particular focus on key battleground states. The Fighting for Families campaign includes:

1. Blue Mayors in Red States Bus Tour

Atlantic Coast - Richmond, Virginia Mayor L. Douglas Wilder; Durham, North Carolina Mayor William V. Bell; Charleston, South Carolina Mayor Joseph P. Riley; Atlanta, Georgia Mayor Shirley Franklin; Gainesville, Florida Mayor Pegeen E. Hanrahan; Hallandale Beach, Florida Mayor Joy Cooper; Orlando, Florida Mayor Buddy Dyer; Pembroke Pines, Florida Mayor Frank C. Ortis; Tallahassee, Florida Mayor John Marks; West Palm Beach, Florida Mayor Lois J. Frankel. Pennsylvania/Ohio/Michigan - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Mayor Michael A. Nutter; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, Erie, Pennsylvania Mayor Joseph E. Sinnott; Scranton, Pennsylvania Mayor Christopher A. Doherty; Cincinnati, Ohio Mayor Mark Mallory; Columbus, Ohio Mayor Michael B. Coleman; Dayton, Ohio Mayor Rhine McLin; Toledo, Ohio Mayor Carleton S. Finkbeiner. Colorado/New Mexico - Denver, Colorado Mayor John Hickenlooper and Albuquerque, New Mexico Mayor Martin J. Chavez.

2. Voter Registration & GOTV - America's Democratic mayors declare Fighting for Families voter registration drive on October 1st. Mayors will be at the forefront of the get out the vote effort for the Obama/Biden campaign.

3. Truth Squad - America's Democratic mayors will coordinate a round-the-clock truth squad to counter the untruths and distortions from the McCain campaign in local markets.