Obama and Edwards on Global AIDS

AMSA, the Global Aids Alliance, and the Student Global AIDS Campaign attended the speeches of Senator Obama and Senator Edwards and demonstarted to raise awareness of the inadequacy of the PEPFAR II. My interns and I arrived early after meeting with SGAC and HealthGAP to secure seats at the Take Back America conference in Washington DC yesterday. We were in the second row right in front of the podium.

Obama spoke first. During a pause in his speech, the activists stood on chairs and held up signs reading “Beat the GOP, $50 BN for AIDS now” and chanted “Beat the GOP, on AIDS and HIV, $50 BN Now!!” After several chants, Obama said “I agree Brother” and asked us to quiet down. He continued to speak with much gusto.

After his speech, I was able to jump to the front of the hand shaking line and wait for the Senator. I shook his hand and said “Senator Obama…Thank you for your leadership. The recent announcement by President Bush’s for $30 Billion for AIDS Relief falls drastically short of the need and actually represents flat funding. Would you pledge $50 Billion over the next five years to fight Global AIDS?” He looked at me and said “There is not enoguh money in AIDS Relief right now, I will increase it.” Unsatisfied, I asked him again “But will you pledge $50 Billion?” He again dodged the question and said “I will increase funding.”

Edwards spoke second and spoke at length about the need for poverty and AIDS relief in Africa. Again the activists stood on chairs and chanted. Edwards was more receptive and said “I am with you there.”

Again, I was able to get through the crowd and get to Senator Edwards with Paul Davis. I thanked him for his leadership and said “Sen Edwards, as you know, the $30 Billion President Bush has pledged is flat funding.” Before I could ask a question, the senator looked at me and said “I support the $50 Billion. I pledge to devote $50 Billion for AIDS Relief.”

That makes Edwards the first candidate to pledge $50 Billion. He has always been the more informed candidate on this issue and his universal healthcare plan is more substantive, We are happy to have him be on record with this pledge.

Good Job to everyone that made this event a success.

–amsagaf

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