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Organizing for America is a community organizing project of the Democratic National Committee^[1][2][3]. Founded after the presidential inauguration of Barack Obama, the group seeks to mobilize supporters in favor of Obama's legislative agenda.

History

The formation of Organizing for America was announced by then-President-elect Obama on January 17, 2009.^[4]

The group officially began operations on the third day of the Obama administration, January 23, 2009. On the same day, it was announced that Mitch Stewart would serve as the first Director. Jeremy Bird, a former Obama for America field operative, was named Deputy Director. ^[5]

Mission

To date, the organization's activities have centered around political activism in favor of Obama's early legislative goals including the 2009 stimulus package and Democratic Party plans to reform the healthcare system. Another stated goal of OFA is alleviating perceived political apathy and increasing support for the Democratic Party.

In January 2010, a report discussed OFA's first year performance, according to the Washington Post's Chris Cillizza^[6]

A new 73-page report http://techpresident.com/ofayear1 penned by liberal commentator Ari Melber for the techPresident Web site offers a detailed examination of Organizing for America, the grassroots arm of the Democratic National Committee. OFA, created after the 2008 campaign in an attempt to transfer the grassroots energy of the campaign into a tool to push the president's policy agenda, has largely operated in a low-key manner with its successes (and failures) cloaked within the broader DNC operation. Melber's report, which is the result of dozens of interviews with congressional staff, former Obama campaign staff and activists on the OFA list, provided decidedly mixed reviews for the organization. While noting that OFA "successfully mobilized and sustained a new corps of super activists" between in its first year, Melber concludes that the actual legislative impact of this activity was minimal. "Congressional aides do not think OFA is changing Members' votes," he writes. "Aides in both parties say OFA has mobilized constituent lobbying but do not say that OFA is a major or powerful force on Capitol Hill." That perceived lack of influence in effecting legislation may well be the result, as Melber's report reveals, of OFA spending most of its time in its first year of existence on "supporting and thanking allies than targeting holdouts in Congress." That, to our mind, is the central dilemma of OFA that remains unresolved. Can a party committee -- or an organization that lives within a party committee -- do the sort of pressuring of its own members in the way that a Moveon.org on the left or a Club for Growth on the right can? And, if not, how can the organization hope to influence members on legislation given that pressure applied hard and often is the only demonstrated way of changing or making up minds?

Political activism

Organizing for America has provided logistical support to local community groups, including holding conference calls with volunteers, sponsoring events and house parties, using social networking and New Media, and providing talking points.

Healthcare reform phone bank event

On October 20, 2009, OFA hosted a national phone bank event intended to encourage elected federal officials to support Obama's healthcare proposals. A stated goal of achieving 100,000 phone calls was exceeded, with 300,000 calls ultimately made. The event was considered successful by liberal activists.^[7]

Criticism

The White House officially denies any involvement in OFA activities and takes pains to point out that it is an independent organization whenever questions about OFA are asked at official press briefings[1]. While the Obama administration claims to not be involved with OFA, it is housed at barackobama.com. Many see OFA to be part of a continuous campaign mode, operating a reelection campaign for 4 years. There are also fears that OFA was involved in the flag@whitehouse.gov incident from August 2009 where the White House was suspected of collecting names of political opponents.

References

External links

• David Plouffe and Mitch Stewart announce the launch of Organizing for America