(Miami Herald) Donna Shalala’s morning began with a rendition of “Guantanamera” performed on Spanish-language radio, an opportunity, however awkward, for the Democratic candidate for Congress to connect with members of the Hispanic community she is fighting to represent in Washington.
But by Wednesday afternoon, Shalala found her campaign headquarters surrounded by a group of angry protesters, as she tried to explain to reporters why a California lawmaker who had praised Cuban dictator Fidel Castro after his death was scheduled to appear at a campaign event with her.
Shalala, who campaigned with House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and congressional candidate Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, said she learned Tuesday that California Rep. Barbara Lee had been scheduled to join the lawmakers at Wedensday afternoon’s event at her Coral Gables campaign office. Press releases issued Tuesday by the campaigns of Shalala and Mucarsel-Powell listed Lee as an expected guest.