Organizing for America
Encyclopedia
Organizing for America is a community organizing
project of the Democratic National Committee
. Founded after the presidential inauguration of Barack Obama
, the group seeks to mobilize supporters in favor of Obama's legislative priorities.
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.
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.
, and providing talking points.
On February 11, 2010, OFA launched a national campaign called "You Fight, We Fight". This program enabled people to pledge a number of hours in support of healthcare reform and President Barack Obama
's domestic goals. Nevertheless, OFA members were never called upon to do volunteer work in support of including a public option
in the bill, despite Obama's stated preference for such a provision.
After the United States Senate
and United States House of Representatives
voted for the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
, which completed one piece of Obama's domestic agenda, Organizing For America enabled Americans to "co-sign with the president," creating a permanent record of the bills supporters. Those who co-signed could opt to have a certificate noting their participation sent to them for free. Over one million signatures of health care bill supporters were delivered to the president in April 2010.
instead of mobilizing the OFA volunteer base.
Community organizing
Community organizing is a process where people who live in proximity to each other come together into an organization that acts in their shared self-interest. A core goal of community organizing is to generate durable power for an organization representing the community, allowing it to influence...
project of the Democratic National Committee
Democratic National Committee
The Democratic National Committee is the principal organization governing the United States Democratic Party on a day to day basis. While it is responsible for overseeing the process of writing a platform every four years, the DNC's central focus is on campaign and political activity in support...
. Founded after the presidential inauguration of Barack Obama
Inauguration of Barack Obama
The inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States took place on Tuesday, January 20, 2009. The inauguration, which set a record attendance for any event held in Washington, D.C., marked the commencement of the four-year term of Barack Obama as President and Joe...
, the group seeks to mobilize supporters in favor of Obama's legislative priorities.
History
The formation of Organizing for America was announced by then-President-Elect Obama on January 17, 2009.The group officially began operations on the third day of the Obama administration
Presidency of Barack Obama
The Presidency of Barack Obama began at noon EST on January 20, 2009 when he became the 44th President of the United States. Obama was a United States Senator from Illinois at the time of his victory over Arizona Senator John McCain in the 2008 presidential election...
, January 23, 2009. On the same day, it was announced that Mitch Stewart
Mitch Stewart
-Early life and education:Stewart grew up in Vermillion, South Dakota. He worked as a research assistant and staff assistant in Senator Tim Johnson's Senate office.-2002 Cycle:...
would serve as the first Director. Jeremy Bird, a former Obama for America field operative, was named Deputy Director.
Mission
To date, the organization's activities have centered around political activism in favor of Obama's early legislative goals including the 2009 stimulus packageAmerican Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, abbreviated ARRA and commonly referred to as the Stimulus or The Recovery Act, is an economic stimulus package enacted by the 111th United States Congress in February 2009 and signed into law on February 17, 2009, by President Barack Obama.To...
and Democratic Party
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
plans to reform the healthcare system. Another stated goal of OFA is alleviating perceived political apathy and increasing support for the Democratic Party.
Organization
Organizing for America is composed of 50 different state organizations, united by a single national umbrella. The states have a high level of autonomy when it comes to deciding how to execute tasks given by national, but most major programs are ultimately delegated by the National directors.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 MediaNew media
New media is a broad term in media studies that emerged in the latter part of the 20th century. For example, new media holds out a possibility of on-demand access to content any time, anywhere, on any digital device, as well as interactive user feedback, creative participation and community...
, and providing talking points.
Health care reform
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 highly successful.On February 11, 2010, OFA launched a national campaign called "You Fight, We Fight". This program enabled people to pledge a number of hours in support of healthcare reform and President Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
's domestic goals. Nevertheless, OFA members were never called upon to do volunteer work in support of including a public option
Public health insurance option
The public health insurance option is a proposed government-run health insurance agency which competes with other health insurance companies. It is not the same as Publicly-funded health care. Called the public insurance option or public option, for short, it was a proposed health insurance plan...
in the bill, despite Obama's stated preference for such a provision.
After the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
and United States House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
voted for the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is a United States federal statute signed into law by President Barack Obama on March 23, 2010. The law is the principal health care reform legislation of the 111th United States Congress...
, which completed one piece of Obama's domestic agenda, Organizing For America enabled Americans to "co-sign with the president," creating a permanent record of the bills supporters. Those who co-signed could opt to have a certificate noting their participation sent to them for free. Over one million signatures of health care bill supporters were delivered to the president in April 2010.
Other issues
Except for some work on health care reform, the Obama administration has not made extensive use of OFA. This choice has been criticized by some veterans of the 2008 campaign, who believe that Obama has erred by being too ready to compromise with conservativesConservatism
Conservatism is a political and social philosophy that promotes the maintenance of traditional institutions and supports, at the most, minimal and gradual change in society. Some conservatives seek to preserve things as they are, emphasizing stability and continuity, while others oppose modernism...
instead of mobilizing the OFA volunteer base.