OBAMA'S OFFICIAL 2008 CAMPAIGN BLOGGER: Why is Obama leaving the grass roots on the sidelines?

[FourScore]

Why is Obama leaving the grass roots on the sidelines?
By Sam Graham-Felsen
Friday, December 17, 2010

In the wake of President Obama's deal to extend the Bush tax cuts to the wealthiest Americans, pundits have focused on how Obama has alienated the left. But the issue isn't the left - it's the list.

Obama entered the White House with more than a landslide victory over Sen. John McCain. He brought with him a vast network of supporters, instantly reachable through an unprecedented e-mail list of 13 million people. These supporters were not just left-wing activists but a broad coalition that included the young, African Americans, independents and even Republicans - and they were ready to be mobilized.

I worked as Obama's chief blogger during his presidential campaign, and my primary focus was telling the stories of these supporters, many of whom had never been engaged in politics or were reengaging after years of disillusionment. There was a common thread in my conversations with the hundreds of people who gave time, sweat and small donations - that amounted to $500 million - to Obama's campaign.

They were inspired by Obama's promise to upend Washington by governing from the bottom up. "The change we need doesn't come from Washington," Obama told them. "It comes to Washington."

Yet at seemingly every turn, Obama has chosen to play an inside game. Instead of actively engaging supporters in major legislative battles, Obama has told them to sit tight as he makes compromises behind closed doors...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/16/AR2010121606083.html

[Poll_Blind]

1. Damned good article. Everyone all the way up to Michael Moore has commented on...

...the bizarre behavior after he became president, effectively shutting the door very quickly behind him.

PB

[Radical Activist]

2. This doesn't match my experience.

For example, I received two emails and a text message asking me to pressure Mark Kirk to support the repeal of DADT.

On health care, OFA organized door-to-door canvassing to build support. Which of the progressive groups heckling Obama did that? Certainly not PCCC, which sent out fundraising emails to benefit themselves by bashing Obama.

I don't know what Sam is writing about. OFA contacts me about legislative battles all the time.

[Change has come]

8. Were you notified when the public option was taken off the table?

:shrug:

Did you get a text asking you to push your congressmen to fight for the 99ers when they lost their complete safety net this past summer?

:dem:

[Radical Activist]

13. I'm also disappointed that the Senate took the public option off the table.

Yes, I got an email asking me to pressure Congress on that issue, since they are the ones who blocked it. Maybe we would have won if more of the netroots had joined the fight to pressure Senators instead of putting all the focus on Obama.

[Hello_Kitty]

15. We did just that.

And it would have helped if Pres. Obama hadn't done an immediate reversal where he pretended he never campaigned on a P.O.

[Name removed]

28. Deleted message

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[Name removed]

30. Deleted message

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[gkhouston]

17. Why, no. Nor did I get an email explaining why single payer was never even

discussed on its merits as a long-term goal to be working toward. We seem to always be starting with the most politically convenient "solution" instead of considering what the "best" one might be, and then compromising even the expedient one down into something near doomed to failure. Just once, could we deal in facts and think about long term solutions for the country and its people first before we bog ourselves down in political wheeling and dealing?

[Hello_Kitty]

16. According to the OP, OFA was silent on this tax plan.

You throw out examples of other areas where they were active but ignore this.

[Radical Activist]

24. 5 minutes at the OFA sites proves that statement is false.

One example of many: http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/ericasagrans/gGMkFy

FYI, I just got another text and email about the vote to repeal DADT. Another example that the OP article is based on a false premise. When repeal passes the Senate we'll have Obama and OFA to thank for it.

[Skink]

3. He watched aas his base stayed home for the midterms so

he figures he needs a new base.

[katandmoon]

5. He used the people he pretended were his base to get elected. Now he no longer needs to pretend.

His under-bus-tossing aim is Olympic class.

[WinkyDink]

11. You have it in reverse.

[Occam Bandage]

14. Liberal turnout in 2010 was as high as it was in 2006.

The difference was that moderates and conservatives deserted us for the Republicans.

[BrklynLiberal]

27. Exactly. THAT is why the progressive caucus INCREASED in size...

while the BlueDogs lost seats.

[somone]

4. They served their purpose

and he has moved on.

[Lugnut]

6. I unsubscribed from OFA after the health care debate.

HCR helped a lot of people but too many people were left out. Without any curbs to health care insurance premiums it was a sell-out as I see it.

[SoCalDem]

7. "left wing"

These people were necessary to get elected, but Obama had to know that once in, he would have to tack to the right/center to operate, and why stay in contact with millions of people who were pissed off?

[leftstreet]

9. He makes a good point about 2012

With Citizens United, Obama would need at least twice the money he raised from the grassroots. Plus he can't afford to let 13 million people, "once heralded as a force that could reshape politics as we know it" sit idle, then drift away.

It's so obvious to me he's not planning to run

[WinkyDink]

12. One wonders then, especially with the Billionaires Bonus he got them, what his goals would be for a

second term, anyway.

So far, beneficiaries have been Big Insurance, the M-I C, billionaires, and Big Finance.

[mistertrickster]

21. He's too arrogant not to run. He and Clinton can fill a black hole in space with their egos. nt.

[WinkyDink]

10. Once in, he was given the word: Play Ball, or Else. And "else" ain't tiddly-winks.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

18. Wow.

Sing it, brother! :applause:

[newtothegame]

19. Because they were gullible enough to vote and give $ for good soundbites nt

[WillyT]

20. He Doesn't Need Us... He Has Newer, Cooler, Friends...

And they have money.

:shrug:

[kenny blankenship]

22. He never supported Obama!

[Still a Democrat]

23. I'm on the list, and most of us think he's doing fine

Thanks for the concern.

[Hello_Kitty]

25. Gee, there's a shock. eom

[dreamnightwind]

26. Sam Graham-Felsen seems naive

Face it, we got fooled again. No mystery about it. It's amazing to me how long it takes some people to get this.

Too bad we can't use this list to mobilize for REAL change. Any chance of that?

[HowHasItComeToThis]

29. EFFED FOR THE LAST TIME...