Monday, January 30, 2012

This isn't already illegal?

Obama - Biden
Friend --

Right now, members of Congress can make personal investment decisions based on confidential information they get in the course of regulating industries and doing their work.

It's kind of unbelievable that this isn't already illegal. President Obama wants to make it illegal once and for all -- no one should profit from inside information about the very businesses they're supposed to be regulating.

Today, the Democratic leadership in the Senate voted to move forward on a bill to extend to Congress the same strict rules that apply to anyone else whose job gives them access to sensitive information about businesses. This legislation is expected to pass the Senate with bipartisan support later this week.

But Republicans in the House have yet to move on it.

There aren't a lot of good reasons to disagree with this bill. So the question here isn't how many people we have to persuade, but simply how loudly we can speak up to prevent the House Republicans from dodging this issue.

Say you support the President on banning insider trading in Congress:

http://my.barackobama.com/Ban-Insider-Trading-in-Congress


Thanks, and stay tuned,

James

James Kvaal
National Policy Director
Obama for America

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Saturday, January 28, 2012

My uncle Teddy

Friend --

Four years ago today, I joined my Uncle Teddy and thousands of excited students at American University to endorse Barack Obama as the next president of the United States.

Barack Obama had stirred something in young people and the young at heart. I saw the passion in my own teenage children, and I heard it from a different generation of people who said they felt like they did when my father ran for president.

We felt strongly that we needed to elect a president who urged us to believe in ourselves, who could tie that belief to our highest ideals, and who understood that together we can do great things.

Four years later, as I think about what first inspired me to support Barack Obama, I'm proud we have a president who has fought hard for the values Teddy held dear, and stood up on issues that matter.

Will you join me by saying what first inspired you to stand with Barack Obama?

http://my.barackobama.com/Teddy

Teddy understood that the challenges of health care aren't political -- they are personal. That's why he fought for 40 years to make health care a right and not a privilege for American families.

How proud he would have been to see his candidate sign the Affordable Care Act into law as president, giving all Americans the security of knowing that their health care will be there when they need it most.

In his speech four years ago today, Teddy reminded us all of that bright light of hope and possibility that shines even in the darkest hours. He knew that with Barack Obama as president, America would shine again. I don't think he would be surprised to know that four years later, this president would have ended the war in Iraq, repealed "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," and guaranteed women the right to equal pay for equal work.

The 2012 election will be harder than the last. As you think about what role you can play this time, I want you to remember that when Teddy joined this campaign, it wasn't just Barack Obama who drew him in.

It was you.

The possibility of a campaign run by ordinary people determined to change our country for the better and willing to work as hard as necessary inspired him then, and it's what inspires me today.

Thanks for all you do.

I'll see you out there,

Caroline

P.S. -- If you'd like to take some time to watch that speech, it's here.

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Thursday, January 26, 2012

End tax deductions for outsourcing

Obama - Biden
Friend --

Here's something that President Obama laid out in his State of the Union that I think deserves special attention:

Under current law, American companies can actually get a tax deduction for outsourcing jobs.

That's the opposite of how it should work. President Obama proposes to end tax deductions for outsourcing, create a new tax credit for bringing jobs home, and lower tax rates for companies that manufacture and create jobs in the United States.

If you think this should be a priority during this campaign, it's up to you to speak out. Support the President and spread the word:

http://my.barackobama.com/Keep-Jobs-at-Home

In the President's own words, "It's time to stop rewarding businesses that ship jobs overseas, and start rewarding companies that create jobs right here in America. ... Our workers are the most productive on Earth, and if the playing field is level, I promise you -- America will always win."

Thanks,

James

James Kvaal
National Policy Director
Obama for America

P.S. -- Here's the quote from the State of the Union:
"Think about the America within our reach: A country that leads the world in educating its people. An America that attracts a new generation of high-tech manufacturing and high-paying jobs. A future where we're in control of our own energy, and our security and prosperity aren't so tied to unstable parts of the world. ...

What's happening in Detroit can happen in other industries. It can happen in Cleveland and Pittsburgh and Raleigh. We can't bring back every job that's left our shores. But right now, it's getting more expensive to do business in places like China. Meanwhile, America is more productive. A few weeks ago, the CEO of Master Lock told me that it now makes business sense for him to bring jobs back home. Today, for the first time in fifteen years, Master Lock's unionized plant in Milwaukee is running at full capacity.

So we have a huge opportunity, at this moment, to bring manufacturing back. But we have to seize it. ...

My message is simple. It's time to stop rewarding businesses that ship jobs overseas, and start rewarding companies that create jobs right here in America. Send me these tax reforms, and I'll sign them right away."


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Wednesday, January 25, 2012

State of the Union

Obama - Biden
Friend --

Last night, the President went to Congress and defined in clear terms what we're going to be fighting for in the months ahead.

That means that right now, it's on us to get his back and work like hell to build this campaign. If we want to see this President re-elected, it's time:

Add your name and say you're standing with the President -- and our shared vision for this country.

We don't know which Republican is going to be our opponent yet, but here's what we do know: Whoever wins the Republican nomination will have done so by adopting the extreme Tea Party agenda.

The President will be busy doing everything he can to demand action from a Congress that cares more about making a political point than governing. And when they refuse to act, he will. Election year or not, that is his job, and he is going to be getting things done these next couple months.

The campaigning is left up to us.

And if we don't do what we need to, last night will have been Barack Obama's last State of the Union.

Do something now:

http://my.barackobama.com/State-of-the-Union

Thanks,

Messina

Jim Messina
Campaign Manager
Obama for America

P.S. -- Miss last night's speech? You can watch it all here, enhanced with stats and graphics to back up the President's words.

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Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Before I speak tonight

Friend --

I'm heading to Capitol Hill soon to deliver my third State of the Union address.

Before I go, I want to say thanks for everything you're doing.

Tonight, we set the tone for the year ahead. I'm going to lay out in concrete terms the path we need to take as a country if we want an economy that works for everyone and rewards hard work and responsibility.

I'm glad to know you'll be standing with me up there.

Barack


Donate
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Last chance: State of the Union party in Carrollton tonight

Obama - Biden
Friend --

Today is your last chance to RSVP for the State of the Union watch party in Carrollton.

Here's a great reason to make it out tonight: David Axelrod will be joining this event and others like it across the country through a conference call, right after President Obama finishes his address. He'll talk about what the speech means for the year ahead and take questions from attendees.

But you have to be at the party to join the call -- so here's all the info:

What: State of the Union watch party in Carrollton

Where: 13365 Windsong Way
Carrollton, VA

When: Today -- Tuesday, January 24th
8:00 pm

RSVP now

I hope you can be there:

http://my.barackobama.com/2012-State-of-the-Union

Thanks,

Jeremy

Jeremy Bird
National Field Director
Obama for America

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Sunday, January 22, 2012

If you're planning on tuning in

Obama - Biden
Friend --

The State of the Union is on Tuesday night, and there's a party in Carrollton where people will be getting together at a volunteer event to watch and talk through our plans for this year.

If you're planning on tuning in, you should join them -- there may not be a better chance to meet up with fellow supporters and discuss the President's agenda for the coming year.

Can you make it? Here are the details:

What: State of the Union watch party in Carrollton

Where: 13365 Windsong Way
Carrollton, VA

When: Tuesday, January 24th
8:00 pm

RSVP now

At the event, you'll have a chance to learn more about the campaign in your neighborhood and how to get involved, if you aren't already. You'll also be able to dial in to a special call with Senior Advisor David Axelrod, who'll talk us through how the GOP agenda differs from the President's plan to create an economy that's built to last.

Parties like this are happening all across the country on Tuesday night. As we get ready for the months ahead, the State of the Union is a perfect chance to connect with others who are working for progress, remind ourselves why we're all in this fight, and get ready to focus on the year ahead.

So join other supporters of the President this Tuesday night at the watch party in Carrollton:

http://my.barackobama.com/2012-State-of-the-Union

Thanks,

Messina

Jim Messina
Campaign Manager
Obama for America

P.S. -- Here's some exciting news: The President recorded a message previewing some of what he'll talk about during the State of the Union address. Check it out here, then RSVP for an event near you.

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Friday, January 20, 2012

See both ads for yourself

2012
Friend --

We've talked a lot about super PACs, other outside groups, and the hundreds of millions of dollars they're going to spend attacking us.

It's started.

Right now, the outside group Americans for Prosperity is pouring millions of dollars into a false ad trying to tear down President Obama's record.

We're not going to react every single time an unaccountable outside group decides to trash the President on TV. But this one gave us the opportunity to show exactly how much the President has done for energy in this country: increasing domestic production -- including renewable energy sources -- across the board, saving consumers money, and decreasing our dependence on foreign oil.

See both ads for yourself. Then, if you can, chip in $3 or more to help us fight back.

Watch both ads here.

It wasn't part of our plan to run a big ad in January of 2012, but this is the new reality we're operating in.

They're relying on a handful of millionaires -- we're relying on you.

Please pitch in to help us fight back today:

https://donate.barackobama.com/Fighting-Back

Thanks,

Messina

Jim Messina
Campaign Manager
Obama for America

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Wednesday, January 18, 2012

This Tuesday: Watch the State of the Union in newport news

2012
Friend --

President Obama will give his State of the Union address on Tuesday, January 24th -- his last before the 2012 election.

If you've been waiting for the right moment to get involved in the campaign, this is it. In newport news, folks who support the President will be coming together to watch the address and talk about the agenda he lays out -- then plan out how to organize locally in the coming months to spread the President's message and keep growing this campaign.

Can you make it to the party in newport news this Tuesday?

Here are the details:

What: State of the Union watch party in newport news

Where: 1020 Willow Green Dr
newport news, VA 23602

When: Tuesday, January 24th
8:00 pm

RSVP now

There's not just a party in newport news -- there will be thousands of these parties all across the country that volunteers have planned and organized to connect with one another and step up the work where they live.

This year ahead is a big one -- and in what I promise will seem like no time at all, it will be November. What we can accomplish between now and then depends on how well we grow this organization. And it's going to take all of us working together.

On Tuesday, folks in thousands of neighborhoods are meeting up to do just that.

As the President is setting the agenda for the direction he hopes to take our country -- and the Republicans draw closer to choosing a nominee -- it's on all of us to take our local organizing to the next level.

RSVP for the watch party on Tuesday and step up now in newport news:

http://my.barackobama.com/State-of-the-Union-2012

Thanks,

Jeremy

Jeremy Bird
National Field Director
Obama for America

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Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Sign Michelle's card

Friend --

Michelle's birthday is today -- and I think you'll agree with me when I say she's a pretty special woman.

So I hope you'll take a moment to sign her card before we deliver it. You can even leave a note if you'd like:

http://my.barackobama.com/For-Michelle

After all, everyone loves hearing from friends on their birthday. And the year ahead is going to be a tough one, so I know this card will mean the world to Michelle.

Thanks,

Jill


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Thursday, January 12, 2012

How we're doing

2012
Friend --

I've got some good news about our fundraising from last quarter -- watch this video for the whole story and the numbers:

https://donate.barackobama.com/Our-Latest-Numbers

We had another strong quarter, and we continue to have more people giving to this campaign than any other in history.

But we've also got a challenge we're facing. I've mentioned this before and tried to address it, but it keeps coming up.

Too many Obama supporters genuinely believe that this campaign doesn't really need their donations, or doesn't need them yet, in order to compete and win.

That's wrong.

The reason we won in 2008 is that Obama supporters and volunteers viewed their individual role as crucial to the outcome of that election.

The biggest difference between 2008 and 2012 from a fundraising perspective is that some supporters have begun to think that somehow other people are going to take care of things and it will be fine.

But there's no secret strategy that we can count on. There is no cavalry. There's only you.

This is not a billion-dollar campaign and it's not going to be. We're not taking a dime from Washington lobbyists or special-interest PACs. All of the money that funds this campaign will come from grassroots supporters like you.

The President is only here because of you -- and he's only going to be able to keep his job because of you.

When we have an opponent, we'll be facing their fundraising operation on top of the hundreds of millions in money from outside groups that want to help them defeat the President.

So keep working hard, keep volunteering, and please forward this video to the next friend who wonders why the Obama campaign is asking them for money.

Then, if you can, please chip in $25 or more to fund this grassroots campaign.

Thanks for all you're doing,

Messina

Jim Messina
Campaign Manager
Obama for America

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Wednesday, January 4, 2012

For those of us with credit cards, mortgages, or student loans

2012
Friend --

President Obama has been saying for months he won't wait around for Congress to get middle-class families and working Americans back on their feet. He'll work with Congress when he can, but if they refuse to act -- he will.

So today the President appointed former Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray as Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. For months, Senate Republicans -- with Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum right behind them -- have fought this bureau every step of the way, and their latest strategy is to refuse to allow even an up-or-down vote on this nomination.

The issue isn't his qualifications: Cordray has bipartisan support from elected officials across the country and a clear majority of the Senate behind him. They won't allow a confirmation vote on any director -- because they don't want the agency to exist at all.

We can't afford to continue allowing Wall Street to write its own rules. But today's action by the President is already coming under partisan attack, which we expect to intensify in the days to come.

Say you stand with President Obama and Richard Cordray today.

Without a director, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is legally prevented from doing its job to protect millions of Americans -- including those of us with credit cards, mortgages, student loans, or home equity lines. But with Mr. Cordray at the helm, the agency will make sure payday lenders, private student loan providers, debt collectors, and the like have to play by the rules.

That's what this campaign is all about: electing a President who makes sure everyone plays by the same rules and gets a fair shake.

But Mitt Romney apparently doesn't think consumers deserve any protection at all from predatory lenders and other bad actors. His plan to fix the economy is simply to deregulate it. His proposal for the housing market is to let it "hit the bottom" so that investors can come in and make a quick buck.

The President thinks we need a cop on the beat preventing the reckless behavior that helped cause the financial crisis and so many problems for middle-class families in the first place.

But if the past is any guide, the GOP and Romney are not going to let this happen without a fight. They'll be doing everything they can to stand in Cordray's way.

Tell President Obama and Richard Cordray that you're standing with them:

http://my.barackobama.com/Cordray

Thanks,

James

James Kvaal
National Policy Director
Obama for America

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This is not a joke

2012
Friend --

These Republican candidates spent in some cases more than a year -- in Mitt Romney's case seven years -- campaigning in Iowa to be the next president.

But tonight, GOP voters there couldn't decisively get behind anyone.

Who exactly leads the Republican race going forward isn't clear, but we do know two things:

1) The extremist Tea Party agenda won a clear victory. No matter who the Republicans nominate, we'll be running against someone who has embraced that agenda in order to win -- vowing to let Wall Street write its own rules, end Medicare as we know it, roll back gay rights, leave the troops in Iraq indefinitely, restrict a woman's right to choose, and gut Social Security to pay for more tax cuts for millionaires and corporations.

2) We'll be facing an onslaught of unprecedented spending from outside groups funded by corporations and anonymous donors. In Iowa alone, so-called "super PACs" spent $12.9 million on almost exclusively negative ads. These groups will turn their fire even more directly on us in the weeks ahead to prove that their candidate is the most anti-Obama.

This race is officially on -- and if we want to win, the only way is to out-organize them on the ground.

Sign up to volunteer your time now, and one of our organizers in your community will give you a call by the end of next week to talk about how you can help.

Many observers still think Mitt Romney will be the Republican nominee. If he is, we will be prepared. But it's curious that no one can really explain how, when or why the 70-plus percent of Republicans saying in polls and in Iowa that Mitt Romney's not their candidate will suddenly come around.

So the path ahead for Romney -- or whichever of the Republican candidates is going to emerge from this process -- is sadly and starkly very clear: to run even further to the extreme right, and make even more dangerous promises that threaten not only the progress we've made but the fundamental fabric of American society.

We also know that candidates who take these extreme positions can, in the right circumstances, win not only a primary but also a general election in just about any state.

Just ask the Tea Party senators from Pennsylvania and Kentucky, and the Tea Party governors in Florida and Wisconsin.

Watching the circus on TV, it's tempting to think it's almost funny -- but this is not a joke.

We've got to be ready.

What you decide to do next will determine which kind of politics wins this election:

http://my.barackobama.com/After-Iowa

More soon.

Messina

Jim Messina
Campaign Manager
Obama for America

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Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Today's Republican talking points

2012
Friend --

The Republican National Committee just unrolled their new strategy for beating President Obama this fall. They're calling it "Obama vs. Obama," and the idea is to say President Obama hasn't made good on his campaign promises.

But there's a hitch in their talking points: They're (prepare to be shocked!) not true.

For every day they try to weave a false tale about the President, we'll fight back with the facts about his record.

Check out our first piece: a video showing President Obama's victory speech in Iowa from four years ago today, along with a rundown of the promises he's kept. Take a look -- and then make sure you share it with your friends.

Promises kept: The President's Iowa victory speech

The bottom line here is simple: This is a President who does what he says he's going to do.

Other presidents and lawmakers tried for 70 years to pass health reform -- but this president took on the insurance industry and got it done. When President Obama took office, nearly 150,000 troops were deployed in Iraq; in December, the last American troops there left. The middle class was under assault for decades, and this administration worked to make the tax code more fair and give all working families the tax cuts they deserve. And since taking office, President Obama has taken the most significant federal action ever to reduce greenhouse gases and our dependence on foreign oil -- almost doubling our fuel-efficiency standards for cars and light trucks.

These aren't talking points. These are facts.

It's 2012. More and more people are going to start paying attention to this race, and fast. But the Republicans have apparently decided to make this easy for us -- because when the other side's strategy is to distort the record, all you need to push back with is reality.

Watch the video, get the facts, then pass it on:

http://my.barackobama.com/Iowa-Four-Years-Later

Thanks, and happy caucus day,

Stephanie

Stephanie Cutter
Deputy Campaign Manager
Obama for America

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