Join a Kick-Off event in VA

Robert Bruce -- The November elections are just over five months away, and we have a big task ahead of us. Although it may be challenging, we have identified a clear path to success: get as many as possible of the 15 million folks who voted for the first time in 2008 back to the polls. We know that engaging them early in the year is the best way to ensure their participation -- so on the weekend of June 5th, we're kicking off our Vote 2010 program on the ground. Across the country, OFA volunteers will be knocking on doors and making calls in their communities, reconnecting with first-time 2008 voters and asking them to commit to vote again this November. Can you join in? There is a Vote 2010 Kick-Off event in Newport News starting at 10:00 AM on Saturday -- all you'll need to do is show up ready to make a difference. Here are the details: What: Newport News Vote 2010 Kick-Off event Where: Andrea's residence TBD Newport News, VA, 23601 When: Saturday, June 5th 10:00 AM Can't make it to that event? Find others near you here. Since President Obama took office last January, we have enacted measures that will drastically improve the lives of millions of Americans -- from the Recovery Act to health reform -- and we're on the cusp of passing real Wall Street reform. As the New York Times put it, "Congress and the White House have completed 16 months of activity that rival any other since the New Deal in scope or ambition." None of this would have been possible without your support, but we need to keep that momentum going into the fall. We know that if we re-engage first-time voters from 2008 -- folks who historically are less likely to vote again, but who strongly support the work we're doing -- then we can be successful in November. Just a small swing in their turnout could represent a shift that is big enough to affect tight races across the country. Your help reconnecting these voters to the political process will make the difference -- will you join us in Newport News on Saturday, June 5th at 10:00 AM? http://my.barackobama.com/KickOffEvents Thanks again, Jeremy Jeremy Bird Deputy Director Organizing for America

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"Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

Robert Bruce -- This is big news: Yesterday, the full House of Representatives and the Armed Services Committee in the Senate voted to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." In his State of the Union address, President Obama pledged to end the law that denies gays and lesbians the right to serve their country. Now, we are closer than ever to making good on that promise. The full Senate will soon start its debate on repeal. But some Republicans are digging in their heels. Senator John McCain said, "I'll do everything in my power" to block a vote. And Mississippi Senator Roger Wicker called the repeal bill "a major mistake" -- announcing that the GOP plans to filibuster. We can defeat those who'd stand in the way of history. But we must show our senators that Americans -- in every state -- overwhelmingly support repeal. Stand with the President and join the pledge to end "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." From the Recovery Act to health reform to Wall Street reform, one by one President Obama is delivering on his campaign promises. And, now -- if we can overcome Republican obstruction -- we have a chance to deliver on another: bringing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" to an end. As the President has said, this is about more than just living up to his word. We must end this law because "it's the right thing to do." Any policy that punishes brave men and women who step forward to serve their country simply for being who they are isn't just misguided -- it's discrimination. That's why President Obama didn't just campaign on ending "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"; he made it a priority. And it's why it's now a matter of how and when -- not if -- we will repeal this law. But as the Republicans prepare to block a vote on this historic legislation, we must do all we can to help deliver on the President's promise. Add your name to the pledge today -- and then please pass it on: http://my.barackobama.com/RepealDADT Thanks, Mitch Mitch Stewart Director Organizing for America

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They backed down

Robert Bruce -- On Thursday, the Senate passed historic Wall Street reform. This movement proved again that the strongest special interests, who for so long have called the shots in Washington, can be beat. When opponents in Congress tried to block the legislation altogether, you stood up -- and they backed down. When the lobbyists pushed for loopholes and exemptions just before a final vote, you did not relent -- and we fought them off. Your support brought us to this day -- and, because of that, we're poised to implement sensible reforms that will provide a stronger foundation for economic growth. Now, the House and Senate must iron out their differences before I can sign it into law. But the financial industry will not give up. They have already spent more than $1 million per member of Congress, lobbying on this issue. And in the coming days, they will go all in. This is their last shot to stall, weaken, or kill reform, and they are not accustomed to losing. But this movement has you -- and together, we have beaten the special interests before. Please donate $5 or more today to help Organizing for America continue to mobilize thousands -- to counter the special interests' attacks and get strong Wall Street reform to my desk. Every American has a stake in this bill. If you have ever been treated unfairly by a credit card company, this reform works for you -- never again will Americans be duped by fine print or hidden fees. If you ever try to take out a home loan or student loan, this reform works for you -- putting an end to predatory and deceptive lending practices. And, if you or your small business relies on credit from community banks that are being punished for playing by the rules while their competitors do not, this reform works for you -- reining in the big banks and making sure all our lenders are subject to tough oversight. These reforms would put in place the strongest consumer financial protections in history. And, by helping safeguard our economy from recklessness on Wall Street, it would ensure that a crisis like the one that caused this recession never happens again. This is not a zero-sum game where Wall Street loses and Main Street wins. As we have learned, in today's economy, we are all connected. When the economy prospers, we all win. Senators of both parties recognize that fact, and that is why lawmakers stood up to the lobbyists and worked across the aisle to ensure that Wall Street reform passed. But this fight is not yet over. And it is up to us to overcome this final test and pass reform into law. When we do, the power of this movement to make change in Washington -- despite the best efforts of the special interests -- will no longer be up for debate. Please donate $5 or more today: https://donate.barackobama.com/WSRSenateVictory Thank you, President Barack Obama

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A trailblazer for the Court

Robert Bruce -- This week, when the President first told me he'd chosen Elena Kagan to serve on the Supreme Court, I couldn't help but smile. I had a chance to interview many great candidates, but Elena stood out. I met her nearly 20 years ago, when she took a break from teaching to join my staff in the Senate. She helped us confirm Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and even then, it wasn't hard to picture a day when we'd be helping Elena prepare for confirmation hearings of her own. Since that time, I've followed her career, and today, I believe Elena Kagan is an inspired choice for the Supreme Court. Throughout her career, she's been a trailblazer, breaking glass ceilings in both academia and government. She's been a consensus-builder, earning praise for her work with Republicans in the Clinton White House and her support for the free exchange of ideas as the dean of Harvard Law. She's flat-out brilliant, easily one of the best legal minds I've ever met. But most importantly, she's also someone who understands that the application of the law holds real consequences for Americans in all walks of life. Now her nomination goes to the Senate. I've been through this process more than once, and I've learned that the success of any nomination is strongly influenced by the public response in the first few days. Will you stand with the President and me to support Elena Kagan? Sign on to help us show that the American people back her nomination. As a young attorney, Elena clerked for Justice Thurgood Marshall. She often calls him her hero. Now, she's following in his footsteps as the Solicitor General of the United States, the chief legal advocate for our government. If Justice Marshall were with us today, I'm sure he'd be proud of the clerk he used to call "Shorty." To see why, look no further than her role in the Citizens United case. It was a legal battle that most experts agreed would be impossible for the government to win. But as Solicitor General, Elena chose this as her first case. She recognized that rolling back bipartisan election law would allow special interests to dominate campaigns across the country and drown out the voice of the American people. Though she knew she'd probably lose, she chose to make it her fight all the same. That's character. That kind of decision defines Elena's career. With her resume, she's had no shortage of lucrative opportunities. But her parents were both public servants -- her mother a school teacher and her father a housing lawyer who fought for tenants' rights -- and she has always followed their example. Like her dad, she's used her legal knowledge to serve others, and like her mom, she's been an educator, working to pass her knowledge on to another generation. Now, it's time to bring that heartfelt, principled commitment to the Supreme Court. In these crucial early days, help us show that public support for this extraordinary nominee is overwhelming: http://my.barackobama.com/supportkagan Thank you, Vice President Joe Biden

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