Archive for April, 2010:
In the News: Vote 2010
Organizing for America Provigil pharmacy and the Democratic Party today launched Vote 2010, a bold plan to reconnect with first time 2008 voters to make sure they get to the polls again this year and stay involved in the political process.
Here are some of the news highlights following today's launch:
Washington Post - Obama and Democrats appeal to new voters in midterms:
President Obama will declare his stake in the November midterm elections for the first time on Monday as his Democratic Party announces an ambitious strategy to appeal to independent voters in its quest to maintain control of Congress.
Obama plans to issue a call-to-action video message to his supporters on Monday, the first in a series of personal efforts designed to rekindle the grass-roots magic that propelled him to the presidency in service to his party's congressional and gubernatorial candidates, Democratic officials said.
The keystone of the Democratic National Committee's $50 million plan for the midterms is persuading the roughly 15 million people who voted for the first time in 2008 to return to the polls this fall. Although such voters historically do not cast ballots in midterm elections, party leaders think their participation this year could help lift Democrats over the top in close contests.
The DNC's plan, which will be announced Wednesday, calls for reaching those first-time voters -- most of whom are registered independents and are young or minorities -- through the same vehicles Obama employed in 2008, according to internal party documents provided by the committee. The DNC is focusing on staff and volunteers in all 50 states, personal communication with the president via new media, and sophisticated voter-targeting technology.
CNN - Obama calls on Democrats to focus on midterm elections:
President Barack Obama is urging political supporters to begin preparing for the 2010 midterm elections in a new video message in which he warns that failure to keep Congress in Democratic hands will be a major blow to his agenda.
In the two-minute and 42-second video released Monday, Obama emphasizes that the key to victory for Democrats in November will be convincing the people who helped fuel his 2008 White House bid -- first-time voters -- to head to the polls for the second time in two years even though he is not on the ballot.
Politico's Playbook - “President Obama Announces Vote 2010":
The President, DNC Chairman Tim Kaine, and the DNC grassroots project Organizing for America this week lay out 2010 election plans in detail for the first time. POTUS’ remarks go out in a 13-million e-mail blast today. Kaine will continue rolling out “Vote 2010” on Wednesday at Dave Cook’s Christian Science Monitor lunch, followed by a strategy session with activists. The DNC will spend $50 million on cash and services, emphasizing turnout of the 15 million voters who came out for the first time in 2008. In an effort to leverage the president’s special relationship with these voters, the video is designed to be sure supporters know that he has a stake in this election, that he is willing to expend his capital and that they should, as well -- that to keep his agenda for change they voted for in 2008 moving forward, they need to support his allies in 2010.
Volunteers Across the Country Begin Laying the Groundwork for 2010
"No Order Generic Accutane Online without Prescription great piece of reform ever starts in Washington. It starts in places like this." — Democratic Representative Anthony Weiner, speaking to local grassroots volunteers.
Organizing for America held Camp OFAs across the country last weekend—trainings where volunteers gathered to strategize about 2010, learn the skills they'll need, and get fired up about the road ahead.
Many of our staff at OFA headquarters took advantage of the opportunity to hear from the volunteers who make up the heart of this movement, and were on hand at Camp OFAs from New York to Seattle. I left D.C. Friday night to take part in an event in New York City the following morning. As the warm, sunny day began, New Yorkers were just starting to go outside and ride bikes, walk dogs, and bring kids to play in the park. But in the theater at Dixon Place on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, more than 100 volunteers were gathering to spend the day learning, planning, and gearing up for the fights ahead.
Wall Street reform, spreading the facts about health care reform, and building neighborhood teams in preparation for the 2010 elections? The folks I met had a clear message: Bring it on.
OFA New York's Deputy Field Director delivered a short speech, but this impressive group of volunteers planned the event completely without staff assistance—including the innovative electronic sign-in sheet, flags to mark the different neighborhood break-out sessions, a catered lunch and a visit from a New York Congressperson. These were some of the most dedicated and passionate organizers I've met, fully focused on making sure every detail of their plan for the day went smoothly in order to get more new folks involved and strengthen their local organization.
After hearing the day's agenda, the event kicked off with a visit from Democratic Representative Anthony Weiner, who greeted participants with an apology: "Sorry I'm a little late, I just gave birth to a 2,074 page health care bill. But I'm happy to report both the baby and its parents are doing very well." The Congressman thanked the volunteers and spoke about the status quo's deep roots in Washington, which could not have been changed without the millions of Americans who saw the 2008 election not just as an ends, but as a means for making progress:
"No great piece of reform ever starts in Washington. It starts in places like this, starts in union halls, it starts with people's ideas – it doesn’t start with someone having a bill number in mind. You are honoring our founding fathers by being here on this beautiful Saturday morning. Somewhere, Ben Franklin is looking down and saying, ‘Boy, what a great country we have, because here you are coming off a victory saying, ‘How are we going to win the next one?'"
The group then split up to hear from experts on Wall Street reform and health care, and later worked on forming new neighborhood teams to organize the city as they gear up for the 2010 elections.
The volunteers I met had powerful stories about why they got involved for the first time, and why they have remained so passionate about working for change in their community and for their country. I caught up with a few OFA Community Organizers during the event to hear more:
Alan H:
"The first event we did was in February, 2007—that was when the seed was planted. And from there we just grew.
Many of us worried that this movement would disband [after the election], but we had made a decision that we were going to continue our work, there was no question, regardless of what happened in Washington. We have monthly meetings of the coordinating committee, usually 15-20 people. Those are the volunteers who put today's event together. Even before the OFA training weekend, people seemed hungry to discuss things they felt during health care. They didn’t really understand enough, so we felt we had to deal with issues in a different way. It was a perfect fit, we don’t just want to talk about stuff, we want to learn in order to understand how to better organize. Our group has grown big and we've identified a lot of leaders—so today we're working to help strengthen groups that are just starting."
Ling T.:
"We held the first health care phone bank in New York City in July, and since then we've made millions of calls. When health care passed, I was in tears. I felt almost as good as, if not better than, election night. This was something concrete that we accomplished. On election night, we knew the future was possible. A very good friend of mine from the campaign had passed away from cancer, and I was thinking of her. It was very emotional...
Two nights ago we had our first volunteer training at the OFA New York office. We had 82 people show up, and we talked about what's happening now with Wall Street reform. People were so energized. A lot of people who volunteered during the campaign and hadn't done much since are now coming back and getting involved.
Reno:
"I heard Barack say during the campaign, 'We are the change that we seek.' I took that to mean, 'You guys have to stay involved.' We have to get out there now and do what it was what we were doing during the campaign. The most important thing is to reactivate people who were MIA since the election – let them know that since there is a local organization here now, and it’s a rallying point, a central point to go. My message is simple: If we do not have a Democratic majority in Congress, Barack’s administration is going to fail, period. We have to get activated—we only have six months before November 2nd."
There are still Camp OFAs happening around the country -- click here to find one near you.
Message from David Plouffe: President Obama Announces Vote 2010
David Plouffe just sent the following message to supporters:
There are only 190 days until the 2010 election.
Many of you have been at work long before now. You've held strategy sessions all across the country to discuss how to most effectively help candidates in your community who are fighting to bring about change.
At OFA headquarters, we've been poring over your ideas, your input, and the best data we can get our hands on to determine the most helpful role we can play.
Together, based on that feedback, we've crafted a comprehensive electoral plan that can make a big difference in the upcoming elections.
President Obama recorded a video message to share our goals for 2010 with you -- and to remind us what's at stake. Watch it now.
We've accomplished a lot together. But we're in for a tough fight this fall.
Historical trends aren't in our favor -- the president's party generally loses seats in the first midterm election. And even though President Obama has taken bold steps like the Recovery Act to put us back on the path to prosperity, escaping from a financial crisis like this one takes time.
The prognosticators and pundits are predicting steep losses for the Democrats. The Republicans are already measuring the drapes for their new offices, saying that anything short of an electoral landslide that gives them back control of Congress won't be a victory.
But these are the same folks who said Barack Obama could never become president, the same ones who said Buy Cialis we were trying to do too much, too fast -- and that we'd never pass historic health reform. They were wrong then, and they're wrong now.I believe we can avoid the nightmare electoral scenario that Republicans in Washington have already convinced themselves will happen. But only if we work together.
Two years ago, we challenged a group of young and disaffected voters to participate in the 2008 election. They cast votes for the very first time and helped us elect a new president. You told us that your top priority for 2010 was to help these people head back to the polls -- and we built our plan around that goal.
President Obama has America heading in the right direction. But our opponents want to repeal health reform. They're standing with Wall Street banks to block any efforts to rein in reckless behavior and protect consumers. And they're attacking a foreign policy that has renewed America's standing in the world. They are eager to undo all we've done.
The stakes are high. And that's the level of commitment we need from you. So watch the President introduce our 2010 plan -- and find out how you can get involved in the fight:
http://my.barackobama.com/Vote2010Kickoff
It's a pleasure to continue our work together,
David Plouffe
The President’s Weekly Address: Good News from the Auto Industry
President Obama Goes to Wall Street to Make the Case for Reform
In the end, our system only works -- our markets are only free -- when there are basic safeguards that prevent abuse, that check excesses, that ensure that it is more profitable to play by the rules than to game the system. And that is what the reforms we’ve been proposing are designed to achieve -- no more, no less. And because that is how we will ensure that our economy works for consumers, that it works for investors, and that it works for financial institutions -- in other words, that it works for all of us -- that’s why we’re working so hard to get this stuff passed.
This is the central lesson not only of this crisis but of our history. It’s what I said when I spoke here two years ago. Because ultimately, there is no dividing line between Main Street and Wall Street. We will rise or we will fall together as one nation. And that is why I urge all of you to Buy Accutane join me. I urge all of you to join me, to join those who are seeking to pass these commonsense reforms. And for those of you in the financial industry, I urge you to join me not only because it is in the interest of your industry, but also because it’s in the interest of your country.
At 2:00 p.m. ET, Get Answers to Your Questions on Wall Street Reform
UPDATED: The chat has now ended.
Wall Street reform is a critical step to protect consumers and rein in the irresponsible practices that have run rampant over the past few years -- but it's also a tough, complex issue that can sometimes Buy cheap online Provigil feel difficult to wrap your head around. So today at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time, White House economic adviser Austan Goolsbee is taking questions on the administration’s efforts and what Wall Street reform means for you.
You can ask your questions on Facebook, and then tune in to watch the chat live here or at WhiteHouse.gov/live.
President Obama on the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day
"Along the way, Earth Day has become much more than a date on the calendar. It’s come to represent the simple truth that with each challenge comes the opportunity to make the world a better place.
So since taking office, we have seized that opportunity. With your help, we’ve made a historic investment in clean energy that will not only create the jobs of tomorrow, but will also lay the foundation for long-term economic growth. We’ve continued to invest in innovators and entrepreneurs who want to unleash the next wave of clean energy. We’ve strengthened our investment in our most precious resources -- the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the parks and public spaces that we enjoy.
And together, we’ve also renewed our commitment to passing a comprehensive energy and climate bill that will safeguard our planet, and spur innovation and help us to compete in the 21st century.
So looking out into Cheap Accutane the Rose Garden today, we see a lot of people who will help us achieve these goals: the business owners who know that protecting our environment is good for business; the members of Congress who are helping to carry us along in the House and the Senate; the members of my Green Cabinet who are helping to shape the policies that we’re fighting for; and the environmental leaders who are on the ground fighting each and every day because they understand what’s at stake.
So together, you represent what I believe is most inspiring about Earth Day, and that is the belief that each of us individually, from different backgrounds and different walks of life, have the capacity to make an enormous difference."
What Do Alaska and Hawaii Have in Common?
In Alaska, we have a special connection with Hawaii. We both became states in 1959. We both are exotic places to visit. We both are isolated geographically. We both are the only states where battles were fought during World War II. And we both have the highest fuel prices in the U.S.
For the next month, though, Alaska and Hawaii will have one more thing in common: Together, volunteers with Organizing for America in Alaska will join with volunteers in Hawaii to work to get out the vote for the special election in Hawaii’s First Congressional District. Buy cheap Accutane Online >And wherever you live, you too can take part in the effort by calling Hawaii residents and asking them to vote in the special election.
Whether you live near the beaches of North Carolina or the ranches of Montana, if you are a supporter of President Obama, you have a vested interested in the outcome of this election. This election will determine who will fill the seat vacated by Neil Abercrombie (D), who is now running for governor of Hawaii. Rep. Abercrombie faithfully represented the people of Hawaii for almost 20 years and fought for change to help all Americans. Now Hawaii – and all of America – needs a member of Congress who will continue to support President Obama’s agenda in Washington. It is important that the next representative from Hawaii’s First Congressional District be someone who will not only improve the lives of Hawaii residents, but someone who will fight for President Obama's vision of change for America.
What can you do to help ensure that this seat continues to be filled by a representative who will work for change with President Obama? Make calls to Hawaii's registered voters, encouraging them to fill out their mail-in ballot and return it to State of Hawaii Office of Elections no later than May 22, 2010. This race is important for America’s Congressional make-up, and it’s critical that the people of Hawaii make their voices heard about who they want to represent them. You can also learn more about the election on this resource page from OFA Hawaii.
Help get out the vote for Hawaii’s special election today! Start making calls now.
Sarah Mouracade is an OFA Regional Field Director in Alaska.
President Obama: “Ultimately, there is no dividing line between Main Street and Wall Street. We will rise or we will fall together as one nation.”
Speaking just blocks from Wall Street earlier today, President Obama called on those in the financial industry to support his plan for commonsense financial reform that would ensure our economy works for all Americans.
While Wall Street reform legislation has been passed by the House and will soon be considered by the Senate, lobbyists are attempting to scale back reform or alter it to benefit the financial industry over consumers and investors. The President spoke directly to those who have hired some of the lobbyists trying to influence the legislation, and addressed those attempting to spread mistruths about the proposal in order to defeat it:
For those of you in the financial sector, I'm sure that some of these lobbyists work for you and they’re doing what they are being paid to do. But I’m Buy cheap Cialis Online here today specifically -- when I speak to the titans of industry here -- because I want to urge you to join us, instead of fighting us in this effort. I’m here because I believe that these reforms are, in the end, not only in the best interest of our country, but in the best interest of the financial sector. And I’m here to explain what reform will look like, and why it matters….
Now, there’s a legitimate debate taking place about how best to ensure taxpayers are held harmless in this process. And that’s a legitimate debate, and I encourage that debate. But what’s not legitimate is to suggest that somehow the legislation being proposed is going to encourage future taxpayer bailouts, as some have claimed. That makes for a good sound bite, but it’s not factually accurate. It is not true. In fact, the system as it stands -- the system as it stands is what led to a series of massive, costly taxpayer bailouts. And it’s only with reform that we can avoid a similar outcome in the future. In other words, a vote for reform is a vote to put a stop to taxpayer-funded bailouts. That’s the truth. End of story. And nobody should be fooled in this debate.
President Obama's plan for Wall Street reform would enact the strongest-ever consumer protections, ensure that complex financial transactions take place in an open marketplace, and close the loopholes that enabled financial firms to take irresponsible risks. It would enforce new rules to make sure taxpayers don't end up paying for big banks' risks, and it would give middle-class investors more control over their investments by giving shareholders a bigger voice on issues from Wall Street salaries and bonuses.
The President explained the main points in his plan:
First, the bill being considered in the Senate would create what we did not have before, and that is a way to protect the financial system and the broader economy and American taxpayers in the event that a large financial firm begins to fail. If there’s a Lehmans or an AIG, how can we respond in a way that doesn’t force taxpayers to pick up the tab or, alternatively, could bring down the whole system....
Number two, reform would bring new transparency to many financial markets. As you know, part of what led to this crisis was firms like AIG and others who were making huge and risky bets, using derivatives and other complicated financial instruments, in ways that defied accountability, or even common sense. In fact, many practices were so opaque, so confusing, so complex that the people inside the firms didn’t understand them, much less those who were charged with overseeing them. They weren’t fully aware of the massive bets that were being placed. That’s what led Warren Buffett to describe derivatives that were bought and sold with little oversight as “financial weapons of mass destruction.” That’s what he called them. And that’s why reform will rein in excess and help ensure that these kinds of transactions take place in the light of day...
Third, this plan would enact the strongest consumer financial protections ever. And that's absolutely necessary because this financial crisis wasn’t just the result of decisions made in the executive suites on Wall Street; it was also the result of decisions made around kitchen tables across America, by folks who took on mortgages and credit cards and auto loans. And while it’s true that many Americans took on financial obligations that they knew or should have known they could not have afforded, millions of others were, frankly, duped. They were misled by deceptive terms and conditions, buried deep in the fine print...
Number four, the last key component of reform. These Wall Street reforms will give shareholders new power in the financial system. They will get what we call a say on pay, a voice with respect to the salaries and bonuses awarded to top executives. And the SEC will have the authority to give shareholders more say in corporate elections, so that investors and pension holders have a stronger role in determining who manages the company in which they’ve placed their savings.
So that you can learn more about the President's plan, we've put together resources where you can find out more about why we need reform and what the President's plan includes, as well as add your name to those standing with the President on Wall Street reform.
Join Today’s White House Earth Day Live Chat
The Obama Administration is working to create a greener, more sustainable world by building a clean energy future and putting a stop to harmful climate change.
On the 40th anniversary of Earth Day today, White House climate and energy adviser Carol Browner will take your questions on building a clean energy economy in a live chat at 12:30 p.m. Eastern Time.
UPDATED: Today's event has ended, but you can learn more about the Obama administration's work on climate and clean energy at WhiteHouse.gov/EarthDay.
President Obama also recorded a special Earth Day message on the progress we’ve made since the first Earth Day, and how we’re tackling the challenges of today. Watch it here: