Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Organizing for America's First Call To Action

Updated Wednesday February 4, 2009 at 9:00 AM CST

President Obama was interviewed by the five major television news outlets in a broad effort to sell his stimulus package to the American public. The president discussed his stimulus package and other issues in the Oval Office with ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN and FOX News on Tuesday afternoon. The interviews come amid a media blitz by the GOP to talk down his stimulus package as a "spending bill." As documented by Think Progress, Republican lawmakers are appearing twice as many times as their Democratic colleagues on cable news programs to lobby against Obama's stimulus plan, which has skewed the stimulus debate. President Obama is also asking people through 'Organizing for America' to host or attend a Economic Recovery House Meeting the weekend of Friday, February 6th.
Last month, conservatives jumped on a Congressional Budget Report (CBO) “analysis” that said, “it will take years before an infrastructure spending program will boost the economy.” It turns out that “analysis” was not actually a comprehensive analysis of Obama’s plan. The CBO’s comprehensive report on Obama's plan, that Republicans as a whole are working very hard to ignore, says 78% of the Stimulus Bill will fuel the economy over two years.

Obama's $819 billion stimulus plan could create as many as 286,000 jobs in Texas, according to an estimate released Tuesday by the White House. The legislation could help cushion Texas against expected job losses over the next two years, according to economists. Texas created 153,600 jobs in 2008, but State Comptroller Susan Combs said recently the state can expect to lose about 111,000 nonfarm jobs during the first nine months of 2009.

According to an article in the Dallas Morning News, Bernard L. Weinstein, director of the Center for Economic Development and Research at the University of North Texas said, "[Comptroller Combs] was probably being optimistic. It appears the 286,000 jobs might just offset the anticipated losses over the next two years."

The two Congressmen in the U.S. House that represent Collin County Residents, Sam Johnson (R) and Ralph Hall (R) both voted against Obama's stimulus plan last week. Both Texas’ senators Kay Bailey Hutchison (R) and John Cornyn (R) have also voiced their staunch opposition to Obama's $819 billion stimulus plan. “I read the bill in vain for any real stimulus in the economy,” Cornyn told the Dallas Morning News. Senator Hutchison told the Plano Chamber of Commerce that she could not support President Barack Obama's proposed $825 billion non-stimulus package at a Jan. 23rd luncheon meeting. Both Texas’ senators are positioned to filibuster Obama's economic stimulus package.

President Obama has more in his communication tool kit than just scheduling interviews with the the five major television news outlets.


On January 15th Barack Obama announced the formation of a new group known as Organizing for America as the "Obama 2.0" legacy successor to his campaign organization.

"As President, I will need the help of all Americans to meet the challenges that lie ahead," Obama said in a video message, "That's why I'm asking people like you who fought for change during the campaign to continue fighting for change in your communities."

Organizing for America, which is now housed within the Democratic National Committee, has sent its first call to action emails asking people to support the president's recovery package. Organizing for American has roughly 13 million e-mail addresses and two million active volunteers who were asked in the call to action emails to host or attend a house party to organize support for the White House-backed economic recovery package. Those who volunteer to host a house party will likely be sent a plan for action to discuss with those who attend the parties.


Two emails have been sent so far; One over Organizing for America Director Mitch Stewart's name and one over President Obama's name asking people to host or attend a Economic Recovery House Meeting the weekend of Friday, February 6th.

In his weekly address video, President Obama urged the swift passage of his Recovery Plan.



From Organizing for America Director Mitch Stewart:


--

Last year, America lost 2.6 million jobs. This week, some of our biggest companies announced plans to cut tens of thousands more.

The economic crisis is deepening, but President Obama and members of Congress have proposed a recovery plan that will put more than 3 million Americans back to work.

You can learn more about how the plan will help your community by organizing an Economic Recovery House Meeting.

Join thousands of people across the country who are coming together to watch a special video about the recovery plan. Invite your friends and neighbors to watch the video with you and have a conversation about your community's economic situation.

The economic crisis can seem overwhelming and complex, but you can help the people you know connect the recovery plan to their lives and learn more about why it's so important.

Sign up to host an Economic Recovery House Meeting the weekend of Friday, February 6th.

The President's plan passed the House of Representatives on Wednesday. But if it's going to move forward, we need to avoid the usual partisan games.

That's why supporters are opening their homes to talk with neighbors and friends about how the plan will work -- and what it means for their community.

The video will outline the basics of the plan and how it will impact working families. It will also include answers to questions from folks across the country. Invite your friends and family to watch the video, discuss the plan, and help build support for it.

Don't worry if you've never hosted a house meeting before -- we'll make sure you have everything you need to make it a success.

Take the first step right now by signing up to host an Economic Recovery House Meeting:

http://my.barackobama.com/recoveryhost

Time and again, you've demonstrated your commitment to change. Now you can help America move in an important new direction.

Please forward this email to your friends and family, and encourage them to get involved as well.

Thank you for your hard work,

Mitch

Mitch Stewart
Director
Organizing for America

From President Barack Obama:
The economic crisis is growing more serious every day, and the time for action has come.

Last week, the House of Representatives passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which will jumpstart our economy and put more than 3 million people back to work.

I hope to sign the recovery plan into law in the next few weeks. But I need your help to spread the word and build support.

It's not enough for this bill to simply pass Congress. Americans need to know how it will affect their lives -- they need to know that help is on the way and that this administration is investing in economic growth and stability.

Governor Tim Kaine has agreed to record a video outlining the recovery plan and answering questions about what it means for your community. You can submit your questions online and then invite your friends, family, and neighbors to watch the video with you at an Economic Recovery House Meeting.

Join thousands of people across the country by hosting or attending an Economic Recovery House Meeting this weekend.

The stakes are too high to allow partisan politics to get in the way.

That's why I've consulted with Republicans as well as Democrats to put together a plan that will address the crisis we face.

I've also taken steps to ensure an unprecedented level of transparency and accountability. Once it's passed, you will be able to see how every penny in this plan is being spent.

You can help restore confidence in our economy by making sure your friends, family, and neighbors understand how the recovery plan will impact your community.

Sign up to host or attend an Economic Recovery House Meeting and submit your question for the video now:

http://my.barackobama.com/recovery

Our ability to come together as a nation in difficult times has never been more important.

I know I can rely on your spirit and resolve as we lead our country to recovery.

Thank you,

President Barack Obama

demintplan.gif
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said that President Obama’s recovery package, priced at roughly $819 billion, is too expensive and GOP Senators believe that they have a “very robust” alternative “American Option: A Jobs Plan That Works.” stimulus plan at a cheaper price.

The Senate GOP’s alternative “plan” will cost $3.1 trillion over ten years, more than 3.5 times the cost of Obama’s, according to a Think Progress Wonk Room analysis.

Not surprisingly, the Senate GOP’s alternative plan consists of permanent tax breaks for corporations and for the wealthy.

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