Credit to Organizing for America

[Perky]

Organizing for America, the Obama campaign organization, was much maligned (including by me) when Obama couldn't seem to get anything done on the Hill last year.

Two quite senior Democrats now email that the group should be getting some credit.

"They drove over 400,000 calls from real constituents to wavering members of Congress this week alone. They kept us in the game," says one top official.

"Say what you will about OFA and what did or didn't do in 2009. We absolutely laid it on the line these last few weeks -- events, emails, calls, personal conversations between our state staff and vols with members and their offices - sophisticated targeting - working hand in glove with members and leadership offices - countering the tea partiers. OfA has played a huge role," said a Democratic Party official.

I think this is right, with a caveat: Obama hasn't, as some hoped and feared, transformed the political landscape and changed the way politics is done. But within the legislative trench warfare that has defined this year, his campaign organization was a serious asset.


From Ben Smith at Politico

[Clio the Leo]

1. The President said just a couple of days ago....

(via a message relayed by Tim Kaine) "what you're doing is working!!!!"

OFA v. the Teabaggers .... my money is on OFA every time!

[Cha]

4. Yes.

[frazzled]

2. Not just phone calls, but in-person demonstrations at wavering Dems' offices

OFA contacted me to show up at Mellissa Bean's office (IL-8) last week. We drove 20 or so miles to demonstrate with about 150 other OFA volunteers who had been contacted by email. Melissa Bean is now a solid "yes" vote.

[FrenchieCat]

5. Same here. I got a text message, and drove 20 minutes,

to the district next door, and cemented a wavering Democratic congressman by
doing a counter rally to the teabaggers. We pretty much nearly matched them
in numbers, and that was with like 1 hour's notice!

[Cha]

7. Thank you...it worked!

I loved it when Pres Obama singled out Betsy Markey in his speech to the Dem Caucus yesterday!~

[Cha]

3. OFA is always emailing with

the latest updates on my blue dog, Arcuri..they are intensely active.

[babylonsister]

6. Rec'd. Agreed. nt

[rocktivity]

8. I attended an OFA meeting in New Jersey

Our target was a guy named Adler. Anyone know how he voted?

:patriot:
rocktivity