Organizing for America (formerly known as Obama for America) is the new organized group that President Obama is using to push his agenda on America. This group is so well organized it makes you wonder if President Obama should have hired the people who run it to take care of the BP oil spill.
This group has two functions: First is to push and promote Obama’s political agendas and bills from DC by delivering talking points through various mediums (My Barack Obama, Fight The Smears, and twitter.com/barackobama). The second is to create a pool of volunteers for the DNC to use to influence local and national elections in November.
The latest string of emails sent out by OFA have been talking points about renewable energy and the BP oils pill. The latest of these solicitations had a video address embedded in an email from the President specifically asking for OFA’s support to “rebuild our nation’s economy on a new foundation” of renewable energy. He tells OFA members that we must “seize this moment,” to pass comprehensive energy reform or we will “miss our chance.” It appears that President Obama would never say something like this in a Presidential address from the oval office but when it’s “just us,” he has no problem divulging his true agenda.
OFA started this election season with a 2010 online livestream strategy session. It was a 40-minute webcast hosted by young adults in front of a live audience talking about what the President expected from activists this election cycle. During the live webcast, users watching were put in a forum that was specific to their state and, in real time, were able to discuss strategies for local elections.
For those who didn’t want to watch the full-video, below is an email sent out following the webcast which includes the talking points:
StrategyEmail_pic1 –
After that, meetings in local neighborhoods were organized and OFA members received emails from organizers detailing the specifics as to time and place. These meetings were meant to be local strategy sessions to discuss local elections and deliver talking points on national issues. In the emails promoting these local events (some sent out by the local event coordinator), one was highly encouraged to bring friends and assured that an OFA member would be on hand to answer any questions:
localmeeting_pic2 –
OFA is doing much more than just organizing for local elections; they are organizing for national issues, too. For instance, OFA held a “Wall Street Reform Day of Action” where members not only made phone calls and knocked doors but attended or organized protests in their communities. One week later a similar “day of action” organized by SEIU was held on the front steps of a Bank of America executive’s home. An email sent out after the day of the event gives just a taste of what OFA was doing:
AgainstWallstreetDay_pic3 –
OFA members are encouraged to do “something” to promote the agenda of the President every week. Emails with the subject, “What are you doing this weekend?” and, “What did you do this week?” are routine.
If you are on the mailing list for the RNC or any conservative movement, compare the kind of outreach you receive from them to the effort made by OFA. Does it even come close? Are their web sites anywhere as effective and full of organizing tools as My Barack Obama is?
These guys make AMWAY sales leaders look like kindergarten teachers. They are organized, they are motivated, and they have the tools and resources to make a huge impact.
If you think this is just a normal political action committee or run-of-the-mill political activist organization, you’re wrong. This group is not only highly mobilized, they are fanatical and engaged. Hundreds and possibly thousands in YOUR state are meeting and getting these emails with these talking points. They are being encouraged to contact their friends, neighbors, and first time voters about these issues as well as find new voters every week.
Don’t be fooled by the rampant “anti-incumbent” atmosphere in today’s political climate. The elections in November of this year are going to be hard races and a large and dedicated group of people are already engaged in the battle. Are you?