From the Wisconsin Daily Cardinal:
OFA kicked off a series of Wisconsin meetings Tuesday night with a town-hall-style discussion in Sun Prairie.According to OFA State Director Dan Grandone, the two purposes of OFA are to build on the grassroots organization and activism that developed during the campaign and to promote Obama’s agenda on health care, education and energy. Tuesday’s listening session was the first of 20 stops Grandone will make throughout the state.“We’re very excited of course about winning the election and President Obama becoming president … but people I think by and large realize the job is not done and now it’s time and an opportunity for us to try to pass the policies that were at the root of his platform during the campaign.” Grandone said.He said since the campaign, the enthusiasm for Obama has not died out and OFA has received “thousands” of calls from people wanting to get involved in the organization.After attendees shared stories about why they became involved in the Obama campaign, Grandone asked them to share their visions for OFA in Wisconsin, which is still in the process of defining itself.“We are building this plane as we fly it,” Grandone said, adding he hopes to take attendees’ comments and incorporate them into OFA’s structure.Some suggestions from supporters included keeping the statewide organization in contact through e-mail and encouraging involvement from youth and minority citizens.Many agreed volunteer training will be essential for the organization, citing the need for volunteers to adapt to the idea of governing as opposed to campaigning and the hope that the organization can attract Democrats, Republicans and independents.“Electing President Obama was not enough,” Grandone said. “Now we have got to take this to the next step … so we can move these issues that we care about forward.”
Listening Tours have already begun in Iowa, Georgia, Wisconsin, New Mexico, Missouri, Michigan, Indiana, Colorado, and Texas.
From Dan Grandone, the new Wisconsin State Director for Organizing for America:
Since Inauguration Day, Organizing for America has been dedicated to making real the change we fought for during the election. But to be successful, we need to hear from you -- your effort and commitment are the backbone of this movement and this organization. That's why I'm so excited to announce that we're back on the ground in Wisconsin, and starting this Tuesday, April 14th, we'll be hosting Listening Tour Town Halls across the state.Will you make your voice heard and join us on the Listening Tour? At Listening Tour meetings, you'll get a chance to meet new state staff members, hear about some lessons learned during the general election, and offer your thoughts on how we can organize Wisconsin going forward. Your ideas will be used to write a Wisconsin-specific plan for Organizing for America in 2009 and beyond. The campaign brought an unprecedented number of new voices into the process -- we need to make sure those voices remain at the center of the debate as the President and Congress work on providing solutions for our economy. But these meetings are not just for folks who were involved in the campaign -- we're hopeful that every Wisconsinite will get involved. We can't stop growing our movement now. We've never had a better opportunity to shape our future -- and just like during the election, we'll do it from the bottom up.Sign up now to attend a Listening Tour event. I look forward to seeing you, Dan Dan Grandone Wisconsin State Director Organizing for America P.S. -- If you can't make it to a Listening Tour event, you can still get involved with Organizing for America in Wisconsin. Let us know how you'd like to see Wisconsin organized.
On Thursday President Obama delivered his budget outline to Congress, a document that represents the ideas he campaigned on and millions of supporters fought for. "Because it represents real and dramatic change," the President explained, "it also represents a threat to the status quo in Washington." He acknowledged the fight ahead to bring this budget plan from outline to final legislation, but he also sent a clear message:
Two years ago, we set out on a journey to change the way that Washington works. We sought a government that served not the interests of powerful lobbyists or the wealthiest few, but the middle-class Americans I met every day in every community along the campaign trail – responsible men and women who are working harder than ever, worrying about their jobs, and struggling to raise their families. In so many town halls and backyards, they spoke of their hopes for a government that finally confronts the challenges that their families face every day; a government that treats their tax dollars as responsibly as they treat their own hard-earned paychecks. That is the change I promised as a candidate for president. It is the change the American people voted for in November. And it is the change represented by the budget I sent to Congress this week.... I realize that passing this budget won’t be easy. Because it represents real and dramatic change, it also represents a threat to the status quo in Washington. I know that the insurance industry won’t like the idea that they’ll have to bid competitively to continue offering Medicare coverage, but that’s how we’ll help preserve and protect Medicare and lower health care costs for American families. I know that banks and big student lenders won’t like the idea that we’re ending their huge taxpayer subsidies, but that’s how we’ll save taxpayers nearly $50 billion and make college more affordable. I know that oil and gas companies won’t like us ending nearly $30 billion in tax breaks, but that’s how we’ll help fund a renewable energy economy that will create new jobs and new industries. In other words, I know these steps won’t sit well with the special interests and lobbyists who are invested in the old way of doing business, and I know they’re gearing up for a fight as we speak. My message to them is this:So am I. The system we have now might work for the powerful and well-connected interests that have run Washington for far too long, but I don’t. I work for the American people. I didn’t come here to do the same thing we’ve been doing or to take small steps forward, I came to provide the sweeping change that this country demanded when it went to the polls in November. That is the change this budget starts to make, and that is the change I’ll be fighting for in the weeks ahead – change that will grow our economy, expand our middle-class, and keep the American Dream alive for all those men and women who have believed in this journey from the day it began.
Two years ago, we set out on a journey to change the way that Washington works. We sought a government that served not the interests of powerful lobbyists or the wealthiest few, but the middle-class Americans I met every day in every community along the campaign trail – responsible men and women who are working harder than ever, worrying about their jobs, and struggling to raise their families. In so many town halls and backyards, they spoke of their hopes for a government that finally confronts the challenges that their families face every day; a government that treats their tax dollars as responsibly as they treat their own hard-earned paychecks. That is the change I promised as a candidate for president. It is the change the American people voted for in November. And it is the change represented by the budget I sent to Congress this week.
... I realize that passing this budget won’t be easy. Because it represents real and dramatic change, it also represents a threat to the status quo in Washington. I know that the insurance industry won’t like the idea that they’ll have to bid competitively to continue offering Medicare coverage, but that’s how we’ll help preserve and protect Medicare and lower health care costs for American families. I know that banks and big student lenders won’t like the idea that we’re ending their huge taxpayer subsidies, but that’s how we’ll save taxpayers nearly $50 billion and make college more affordable. I know that oil and gas companies won’t like us ending nearly $30 billion in tax breaks, but that’s how we’ll help fund a renewable energy economy that will create new jobs and new industries.
In other words, I know these steps won’t sit well with the special interests and lobbyists who are invested in the old way of doing business, and I know they’re gearing up for a fight as we speak. My message to them is this:So am I. The system we have now might work for the powerful and well-connected interests that have run Washington for far too long, but I don’t. I work for the American people. I didn’t come here to do the same thing we’ve been doing or to take small steps forward, I came to provide the sweeping change that this country demanded when it went to the polls in November. That is the change this budget starts to make, and that is the change I’ll be fighting for in the weeks ahead – change that will grow our economy, expand our middle-class, and keep the American Dream alive for all those men and women who have believed in this journey from the day it began.
Read the full text of the President's address . . .
In case you missed it, last Saturday then-President-elect Obama announced the next step for the unprecedented grassroots movement that grew out of this campaign: Organizing for America.
Today David Plouffe sent out the following message to supporters, inviting them to attend one the many grassroots house meetings taking place throughout the country later this month:
Exactly one month ago, you made history by giving all Americans a real opportunity for change. Now it's time to start preparing and working for change in our communities. On December 13th and 14th, supporters are coming together in every part of the country to reflect on what we've accomplished and plan the future of this movement. Your ideas and feedback will be collected and used to guide this movement in the months and years ahead. Join your friends and neighbors -- sign up to host or attend a Change is Coming house meeting near you. Since the election, the challenges we face -- and our responsibility to take action -- have only gotten more urgent. You can connect with fellow supporters, make progress on the issues you care about, and help shape the future of your community and our country. Learn what you can do now to support President-elect Obama's agenda for change and continue to make a difference in your community. Take the first important step by hosting or attending a Change is Coming house meeting. Sign up right now. To get our country back on track, it will take all of us working together. Barack and Joe have a clear agenda and an unprecedented opportunity for change. But they can't do it alone. Will you join us at a house meeting and help plan the next steps for this movement? Thanks, David David Plouffe Campaign Manager Obama for America
"I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to – it belongs to you." - Barack Obama, Election Night 2008
Read the full speech, as prepared for delivery . . .
"Right now it's up to the voters. That's one of out last pitches. We want to make sure our supporters quite frankly, all the voters in the state of Wisconsin get out there today, get in those lines, stay in there and not don't get out. This is the only day that matters even though we've been doing this for awhile," Michelle Obama said.
There are less than fours for you to be part of history. Tonight you will bear witness to history. It is between now and then that you will make history.
Find your polling location at voteforchange.com
Find where the nearest location is where you can volunteer.
Today is Election Day -- the polls are open across the state. If you haven't voted yet, look up your polling place and vote for Barack by 8:00 p.m:
If you have already voted, here are a couple ways you can make an even bigger difference for Barack today:
Call every Wisconsin Obama supporter you know who is a registered voter and make sure they vote for Barack by 8:00 p.m. today. Then use our online phonebank tool to call even more supporters and help Get Out The Vote for Barack. You'll get a list of names and a script you can follow -- simplypick up the phone and start calling now:
Head over to your local Obama headquarters. Our offices across the state need as much help as they can get this afternoon, so find an office in your area and join us right away: Every voter contacted is one more possible vote for Barack. Everything we've worked for together comes down to what we do in these next few hours.
Please don't stop working until the polls close at 8:00 p.m.
Find your polling location at voteforchange.com or call 1-877-OBAMA-WI
There's still time...to be part of history. Find out where here.
There's still time to volunteer or make calls from home!
Polls are open. If you have not registered to vote yet, you can do so at the polls. Watch this message from actress/model Joy Bryant on how easy it is to register and vote today, Election day.
Find you polling location at voteforchange.com.After you have voted...
Help others make their voice heard. Find the nearest location where you can make a difference here.
Today is the day Wisconsin makes its voice heard loud and clear. The polls have just opened and will remain open until 8pm tonight. If you haven't registered take your photo ID and proof of residency so you can register at the voting booth. Bring your friends and family with you to the polls or ask them if they need help to getting there. Polls will only be open for 13 hours -- 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. -- and we're anticipating high turnout, so try to vote as soon asa you can today. Then stop by your local Campaign for Change office and see what you can do to help get out the vote in your community!
Appleton: Mostly sunny, high of 71 degrees. Ashland: Partly sunny, high of 66 degrees. Green Bay: Mostly sunny, high of 70 degrees. Oshkosh: Mostly sunny, high of 71 degrees. Janesville: Mostly sunny, high of 72 degrees. La Crosse: Partly sunny, high of 72 degrees. Madison: Mostly sunny, high of 71 degrees. Milwaukee: Mostly sunny, high of 72 degrees. Rhinelander: Slight chance of showers (20%), high of 64 degrees. Sheboygan: Mostly sunny, high of 52 degrees. Superior: Partly sunny, high of 63 degrees. Wausau: Slight chance of showers (20%), high of 66 degrees.
