Saturday, May 29, 2010

Join a Kick-Off event in VA

Organizing for America
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

RSVP Today

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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Friday, May 28, 2010

"Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

Organizing for America
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."

Stand with the President: Repeal 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.' Add your name.

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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Saturday, May 22, 2010

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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Friday, May 14, 2010

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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Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Robert Bruce, have you met Elena Kagan?

Robert Bruce --

Elena Kagan is making the rounds on Capitol Hill today. As senators start to get to know the President's Supreme Court nominee, I wanted to make sure you had a chance to do the same.

If you haven't already, take a moment to watch President Obama introduce her to the nation:

http://my.barackobama.com/ElenaKagan

Thanks,

Mitch

-----------------Original Message-----------------
From: Barack Obama
Subject: Elena Kagan

Friend --

Today, it is my great honor to nominate our Solicitor General, and my friend, Elena Kagan, to be the next justice of the United States Supreme Court.

As I send my nomination to the Senate, I wanted to record a special message for you that I hope will help us launch a national discussion.

Take a minute to watch this video, and then help me to introduce Elena to your friends and family by passing it on.

Watch the video.

Elena is widely regarded as one of the best legal minds of her generation -- earning praise from across the ideological spectrum throughout her career. Above all, she is a trailblazer. She wasn't just the first woman to serve as dean of Harvard Law School -- she was one of its most beloved and successful leaders, building a reputation for openness to other viewpoints and skill in working with others to build consensus. These were some of the many reasons why I selected her to be my Solicitor General, the nation's chief advocate -- the first woman to hold that post as well.

Her work as Solicitor General has allowed me to see firsthand just why Elena is particularly well-suited to the Court: She has not only a keen understanding of the law, but also one that is rooted in a deep awareness of its impact on people's lives. Last year, she made that clear -- choosing the Citizens United case as her first to argue before the Supreme Court, defending bipartisan campaign finance reform against special interests seeking to spend unlimited money to influence our elections.

Now, I look forward to the prospect of Elena taking her seat alongside Justice Ginsberg and Justice Sotomayor. For the first time, our nation's highest court would include three women, ensuring a Court that would be more inclusive, more representative, more reflective of us as a people than ever before.

When Justice Stevens wrote me to announce his retirement, I knew that the Court would be losing a standard bearer. And I felt a responsibility to nominate an individual capable of being that same guiding force, a consistent voice of reason on the Court.

I am certain I have made the right choice. As you learn more about Elena, I am confident you'll see what I do -- that she is a voice we need on the Supreme Court.

Please watch the message -- and share it with others:

http://my.barackobama.com/ElenaKagan

Thank you,

President Barack Obama




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Monday, May 10, 2010

Elena Kagan

Robert Bruce --

Today, it is my great honor to nominate our Solicitor General, and my friend, Elena Kagan, to be the next justice of the United States Supreme Court.

As I send my nomination to the Senate, I wanted to record a special message for you that I hope will help us launch a national discussion.

Take a minute to watch this video, and then help me to introduce Elena to your friends and family by passing it on.

Watch the video.

Elena is widely regarded as one of the best legal minds of her generation -- earning praise from across the ideological spectrum throughout her career. Above all, she is a trailblazer. She wasn't just the first woman to serve as dean of Harvard Law School -- she was one of its most beloved and successful leaders, building a reputation for openness to other viewpoints and skill in working with others to build consensus. These were some of the many reasons why I selected her to be my Solicitor General, the nation's chief advocate -- the first woman to hold that post as well.

Her work as Solicitor General has allowed me to see firsthand just why Elena is particularly well-suited to the Court: She has not only a keen understanding of the law, but also one that is rooted in a deep awareness of its impact on people's lives. Last year, she made that clear -- choosing the Citizens United case as her first to argue before the Supreme Court, defending bipartisan campaign finance reform against special interests seeking to spend unlimited money to influence our elections.

Now, I look forward to the prospect of Elena taking her seat alongside Justice Ginsberg and Justice Sotomayor. For the first time, our nation's highest court would include three women, ensuring a Court that would be more inclusive, more representative, more reflective of us as a people than ever before.

When Justice Stevens wrote me to announce his retirement, I knew that the Court would be losing a standard bearer. And I felt a responsibility to nominate an individual capable of being that same guiding force, a consistent voice of reason on the Court.

I am certain I have made the right choice. As you learn more about Elena, I am confident you'll see what I do -- that she is a voice we need on the Supreme Court.

Please watch the message -- and share it with others:

http://my.barackobama.com/ElenaKagan

Thank you,

President Barack Obama




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Wednesday, May 5, 2010

In case you missed it: Here's the plan

Organizing for America
Robert Bruce --

If you didn't catch Monday's strategy session, here are the video highlights and an in-depth look at what you missed:

http://my.barackobama.com/2010StrategyHighlights

First, we're going to continue to support the President on critical issues. Success in the 2010 election depends upon highlighting the choice voters have in front of them, so we'll be working hard to build support for Wall Street reform, a clean-energy economy, immigration reform, the confirmation of a new Supreme Court justice, and other key priorities.

A key piece of this is to continue to tell the story of President Obama's leadership and what we've already accomplished together. On health insurance reform, 3 million of you took action to voice your support for a law that reduces costs, increases access, and puts an end to some of the worst insurance company abuses. While there's still a long way to go on the economy, we're on the path to recovery. With your support, we passed the Recovery Act, which has created or saved more than 2 million jobs, and the President continues to fight to create jobs, protect consumers, and hold Wall Street accountable.

Second, we're going to work to elect candidates who support the President's agenda -- and we've got a plan to do it. After months of feedback from volunteers on the ground and nearly 1,000 local strategy sessions held across the country, your top priority for 2010 was crystal clear: getting out the 15 million voters who cast a ballot for the first time in 2008. These voters put President Obama over the top then, and they're going to make the difference again in close races across the country in November.

The best way to get a 2008 first-time voter to vote in 2010? Have a person like you reach out to them and share why you support the President and your local and statewide candidates who support his agenda. Just like we did in 2008, we're going to put a premium on people talking to people -- in their communities, at their doors, on the phones, and online.

As the President noted when he announced our 2010 electoral strategy last week, this year the stakes are even higher. Since he was inaugurated, President Obama has put us on the right path on many critical issues. But we need to help elect candidates who will stand up to the lobbyists and the special interests who are fighting to block and reverse the President's agenda. By turning out 2008 first-time voters, together we can keep our nation moving forward, keep working to fix Washington, keep growing our economy, and keep building a fairer, stronger, and more just America.

Third, we're going to continue to build organizationally. In 2008 we had one of the strongest organizations in the history of American politics. Remarkably, in many ways, our organization is even stronger now -- as volunteers have stepped up to take on even more responsibility with the support of our experienced, nationwide staff. And we're poised to grow: Organizing for America supporters have pledged more than 10 million volunteer hours to candidates who fought for health reform. We're going to hold you to that.

Our 2010 organization-building starts with house meetings in neighborhoods across the country in May, where you and other volunteers will devise a customized program that focuses on turning out 2008 first-time voters in your community. Then, on the weekend of June 5th, we'll be canvassing door-to-door and kicking off our 2010 grassroots campaign.

Watch the highlights -- then help us spread the word about the plan for 2010.

For our opponents, the path to victory relies on historical patterns that show the President's party will have trouble turning out supporters in midterm elections. But, with your help, we can once again defy the cynics and the pundits, turn out 2008 first-time voters, and keep our country on the right path.

Thanks,

Mitch

Mitch Stewart
Director
Organizing for America




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Tuesday, May 4, 2010

From Newport News to Wall Street

Organizing for America
Robert Bruce --

Wall Street reform is gaining steam in the Senate, and a vote could come very soon.

But the big banks are ramping up their effort to carve out loopholes and exemptions -- or block the bill altogether.

That's why, this week, we're organizing an urgent message from Main Street to Wall Street to show the widespread support for change.

There's an event near you in Newport News on Thursday, May 6th -- can you make it?

Each event around the country will have a specific, strategic purpose: to build and demonstrate support for Wall Street reform, to ensure that the strongest consumer financial protections in history become law and that American taxpayers are never again forced to bail out a Wall Street firm that's "too big to fail."

I hope you can join us in Newport News on Thursday, May 6th. Here are the details:

What: Wall Street Reform Day of Action Event

Where: Exact address TBD
Newport News, VA 23601

When: Thursday, May 6th
Start Time: 11:00 AM

RSVP for a Wall Street Action event near you

If you can't make it to that event in Newport News, see if there are other events you can attend.

No prior experience is necessary; OFA staff or volunteers will be at every event to make sure things go smoothly.

RSVP here:

http://my.barackobama.com/WSRevents

Thanks,

Jeremy

Jeremy Bird
Deputy Director
Organizing for America




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Monday, May 3, 2010

Strategy Session today at 4:30 Eastern Time

Organizing for America
Robert Bruce --

Don't forget: David Plouffe and I are holding a live, Vote 2010 Strategy Session online today at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time to outline OFA's plan to win in 2010.

One of the people in the room for the Strategy Session will be Aswani, a student at the University of Maryland and a first-time voter in 2008. Early in 2007, he was inspired and driven to volunteer by then-Senator Obama's vision. Aswani has already committed to vote again in 2010. But there are millions of voters just like him -- and we need to make sure they're just as motivated.

Today's session will be a special insider briefing you won't want to miss -- you'll get details on what OFA's planning for the midterm elections and how you can help candidates fighting for change.

RSVP now -- or tune in here today at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time:

http://my.barackobama.com/2010StrategySession

Talk to you soon,

Mitch

Mitch Stewart
Director
Organizing for America




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