In "Vern's Office," Parody is Reality: New EMILY's List Web Video Debuts on Florida's 13th District

WASHINGTON, DC -- Laughter can be the best medicine for bad politicians. That’s why the 2008 WOMEN VOTE! program, a nationwide voter mobilization and education project, will be reaching out to Florida voters through a humorous web video that exposes Congressman Vern Buchanan’s ongoing ethical challenges in Florida’s 13th district. The video was produced by Laguens Kully Klose Partners and can be seen on YouTube here.

The WOMEN VOTE! program launched the first episode of “Vern’s Office” on Friday to help educate voters - and make them laugh - about Vern Buchanan’s questionable business dealings and numerous lawsuits. This web video is the first in a series that will be released in the coming weeks. The end of the video directs viewers to www.vernsoffice.com, a fully sourced and cited website that lists the facts about Vern Buchanan's record and provides information on Buchanan’s opponent, EMILY’s List endorsed candidate Christine Jennings. Voters may remember the congressman from 2006 when he edged out Christine Jennings by a mere 369 votes after a controversial recount. Now they are in a highly anticipated rematch that is getting national attention. Jennings is performing well in the polls and campaigning hard for this competitive seat, while Buchanan’s ethical problems have plagued his candidacy.

EMILY’s List WOMEN VOTE! has worked for more than a decade to inform and engage women voters in the electoral process on the premise that when women vote, women win. “Women are a critical sector of the electorate and a large majority of the turnout in an election,” said Maren Hesla, EMILY’s List WOMEN VOTE! director. “Though the medium is humorous, we are very serious about helping these voters be better informed on the issues that we know are important to them so that they will act on that information on election day.”

Launched in 1995, the historic EMILY’s List WOMEN VOTE! project combines polling and research, advanced information technology, sophisticated message testing, and precinct-by-precinct field work to mobilize millions of women voters across the country. EMILY’s List designed WOMEN VOTE! to build a progressive political base that will elect more Democrats, especially women, by helping to increase turnout among women voters year after year.