John Berman has been at ABC since 1995, and allowed to appear on television since 2001. He covered the 2008 campaign extensively, following John McCain and Mitt Romney during the primaries and then Barack Obama in the general election. He also spent more than 20 months chasing George W. Bush around the country as a producer from 1999 until 2001, earning the clever nickname, "Pain in the Ass," from our 43rd president. He is a frequent and sometimes welcome contributor to all of ABC's broadcasts.
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MoveOn.org Plans Continued Pro-Obama Push
November 04, 2008 1:23 PM
From ABC’s Rick Klein, author of The Note.
Welcome back to the live blog -- I’ll be blogging here all day for Election Day -- leading up to our coverage on ABC NewsNOW tonight, starting at 7 pm ET. The live feed of our coverage, featuring me and Sam Donaldson from New York, will be available online at ABCNews.com/politics.
One of the most fascinating questions for an Obama administration to answer -- if, indeed, there is an Obama administration to talk about after tonight -- is what he’ll do with the activist army that’s signed on to his cause.
One big segment of that army is already figuring out what it plans to do for Obama -- again, with the important caveat that first he has to win the election.
I spoke with Eli Pariser, the executive director of MoveOn.org, about what they’ve done for Obama during the election, plus what’s next.
Pariser said he plans to put the 4.3 million members of his organization to work on behalf of a President Obama -- even if that will mean, at times, taking on Democratic leaders in Congress.
"We may be able to do some things that Obama, playing the delicate, inside game of winning votes handshake by handshake, may not be able to do," Pariser said. "It’s an extraordinary opportunity... There’s an alignment on what we want to accomplish, and what the people in the Obama movement want to accomplish. I expect we’ll be working shoulder-to-shoulder with them."
This represents something of a rethinking of the MoveOn.org mission. Founded in 1998, in a grass-roots effort to get the country to "move on" from President Bill Clinton’s impeachment inquiry, the group has defined itself as an outside voice, not an inside player.
But starting in February, with MoveOn’s decision to endorse Obama in the Democratic primary -- the group’s first presidential endorsement -- an important transition began.
In one little-noticed move, MoveOn.org effectively merged its organizing operations and get-out-the-vote projects with the Obama campaign’s. Rather than running parallel GOTV campaigns, like the group did in 2004 and 2006, MoveOn worked in tandem with the campaign.
Pariser said MoveOn dedicated roughly 15 staffers to a legally separate operation -- similar to the way unions and the national parities set up "independent expenditure" arms -- primarily to handle online organizing geared toward boosting Obama’s prospects.
More importantly, the group directed as many as 600,000 volunteers to the Obama campaign, Pariser said. He said the group spent nearly $30 million to help elect Obama.
Pariser said he thinks it’s critical for Obama, if he wins, to utilize the people who have invested in his campaign.
"It’s incredibly important that they take what they built forward," he said.
A continued alignment with MoveOn.org and groups brings some political risk to Obama. He seems inclined to govern from the center, and he’ll have millions of supporters pulling him to the left.
If those supporters are noisy about it, he may antagonize the congressional leaders who hold the keys to actually enacting his agenda. And those supporters may end up getting noisy about their disagreements with Obama, too, particularly if his plans to withdraw troops from Iraq get delayed in any way.
Pariser said he sees an opportunity for partnership -- while cautioning that his members will stick by their beliefs.
"If Obama wins, fundamentally his organization will be driven from the White House -- it can’t not be. That’s good, that’s important. But it’s different than an organization like MoveOn, which is driven by members toward the White House," he said. "They may converge in the same place, but they come from different places."
What do you think?
-- Rick Klein
November 4, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (71)
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Rick...I think we should get through this election before beginning to polarize minds for the next one
Posted by: watching | Nov 4, 2008 1:40:40 PM
watching...I am an Obama supporter and I absolutely agree with you there. Let's first elect a president, then worry about the next step. 4 years ago it seemed that candidates were lining up as the polls closed to run against GWB.
Obama TODAY!
Posted by: SwiftyPA | Nov 4, 2008 1:50:56 PM
I hope Mr. Obama is able to reset the extremists in his own party and gently guide the country back towards the center. The harder and quicker they pull Obama away from the political 'center' to the left, the sooner and more sudden the pendulum will go the other way.
Posted by: I'm With Stupid | Nov 4, 2008 1:51:13 PM
Time to move on, indeed.
Where are your moveon.com principles???
Your constitutional rights have been taken away thanks to 0bama's support of Bush, giving him unchecked power to spy on US citizens.
You guys turned to be nothing, but sheeps.
Posted by: d0 | Nov 4, 2008 1:58:01 PM
Rick
Speak on! Many are going nuts sitting at home, after voting, and this gives us something to dewll on while we wait for the results.
Posted by: Grissom | Nov 4, 2008 1:59:16 PM
I am 22 and I'd like to capture my thoughts before America either elects a president who its first 26 presidents could have legally owned, or brazenly subverts the very ideals it was founded upon by manipulating numbers in a final embarrassingly overt goosestep towards corporate totalitarianism.
I am nervous. And not night-before-the-swim-test nervous or even night-you-lose-your-virginity nervous, it's a low rumbling primal panic which I can only liken to Star Wars panic. Disney panic. The edge-of-your-seat-terror that makes you wonder if Skywalker's doomed after he refuses to join Darth Vader and drops down into the abyss, if the wicked octopus or grand vizier or steroid-pumping-village-misogynist is going to wed/kill/skin the dashing prince and then evil people in dark funny costumes are going to take over the world... if it wasn't a movie of course.
And tonight it's not. It's not a movie and yet I feel like Obama might as well be wearing an American flag cape while a decaying McCain, in a high-tech robotic spider wheelchair wearing an eyepatch and stroking an evil cat, gives orders to a sexy scheming Palin who marches back and forth through their sub-terranian campaign lair in four inch thigh-highs and full-body black leather catsuit bossing around the evangelical ants with a loooooong whip... umm... is this just me?
Anyway, the point is that things feel weird folks. I have friends who have peed in waterbottles to keep from interrupting a Halo-playing marathon who got off their asses/couches to volunteer for the Obama campaign not once, but many times. Friends so cheap their body content is at least 1/3 Ramen Noodle who donated a good deal of their hard-earned cash to the campaign. People have registered to vote in record numbers, and yet, something just doesn't feel right. I think we should stop congratulating ourselves for just voting. To vote is a privilege which people have died for, and I think there's a whole lot more to be done for the country than to simply help win an election every 4 years.
Hundreds of millions of dollars, hundreds of thousands of man-hours spent on both sides by good-intentioned people who want to make a difference in an historic election, so many resources and voices and energies devoted to a single day. After tomorrow, half of that is going to have been a waste. And I can't help but wonder what could have happened if all that muscle had been put towards something else, and what will happen to its momentum after the election has come and gone. Shouldn't we be donating our money to good causes whenever we can? Helping people who don't have? Dedicating some of our time to contribute to making the country which provides for us a better place? Of course a power shift is a hugely significant step on the path to great reform, but worrying about this election has been a wakeup call for me:
Even if Obama wins, we have not "won." This isn't a movie and we can't toss every greedy lobbyist oil fatcat bigot down a reactor shaft. I think if we dedicate ourselves to the ongoing welfare of the country as much as we have to the outcome of this election, we'll have a much better shot at coming closer to the overwhelming good the liberals hope Obama will usher in, but which no mere mortal could fully realize alone.
Which brings me to the other side. I've heard a lot of people claim that if McCain wins, they're leaving. I heard the same thing about Bush's reelection, and his unelection before that, and nobody seems to be leaving. And that's fine. Because as much as I complain about certain political happenings, atrocities, etc., I really do like it here and I suspect most other people do too. We have New York and Hollywood, purple mountain's majesty and sea to shining sea, we created jazz and country music and baseball and cars and lightbulbs and computers and that movie with hundreds of animated singing Chihuahuas! I mean who among the shivering Plymouth pilgrims ever imagined ordering hundreds of animated singing chihuahuas onto a magical box from an invisible information superweb?
The point being, if things don't turn out the way I want tomorrow, I feel compelled, as a college-graduated adultish-type-person, to take a stand. And if I'm going to leave I'm going to leave. But if I'm going to stay I'm not going to sit around whining like I have for the past 8 years. It's like when I don't clean my room because it's dirty and then I blame the dirt. So in my very indecisive way, before you and your screen, I'm declaring my intention to make some kind of stand in the event of -(Ican'tevensayit)-, and encouraging you to consider making one too...
Jump the ship or grab a bucket?
-Sigh-
Wasn't everything so much easier back when the worst possible affront to your values was a PB&J sandwich cut diagonally with crust?
Anyways, I guess what I'm saying is that if we're going to stay on board, we should probably be generous with our time and resources when times are tough even more than when the hero saves the day. Because what if he doesn't? And what if he can't? "Yes we can" should mean more than just winning an election if we're really committed to change.
Best,
Hannah Friedman
www.writinghannah.blogspot.com
Posted by: hannah friedman | Nov 4, 2008 2:01:48 PM
Is moveOn.org doing anything to police or counteract the possibility of network vote servers flipping the vote. This is of particular concern in Pennslyvania, Virginia and Ohio, states where mccain claims he has closed the gap. What safeguards are in place to ensure votes are not stolen, and bogus vote totals siimply replace the actual results?
Posted by: SeeingABetterWorld | Nov 4, 2008 2:05:00 PM
MOVEON.ORG...GO TO HELL!
Posted by: Mark | Nov 4, 2008 2:09:14 PM
I have just come from voting for OBAMA.
I a former Republican can hardly wait until I hear CHANGE will come. As I have been informed by the REPUBLICAN'S like Sarah Palin and John MCCain if I don't vote for them I will not be a TRUE AMERICAN. As they have tried to put us in catagories like PRO-ANTI-MORE American Etc. THERE ARE NO GROUPS, NO BLACK, WHITE, HISPANIC, MEXICAN Etc. I am an AMERICAN PERIOD.... WE ALL LOVE OUR COUNTRY
I was asked last night if I had heard that OBAMA'S grandmother had died, before I could even say anything the woman states "well since the old bag died I guess OBAMA will get more sympothy votes" someone else stated DAM the ##### kicked the bucket finally. I looked at these people and stated that I felt sorry for Mr. Obama as I too was raised by my grandparents because my parents were killed in an accident. I couldn't imagine the pain he was in as he was so close to his grandmother. One of the woman turned to me with disqust and stated" OH! You are one of those" and walked off. I with open mouth stood there and just couldn't believe that in 2008 this is what we have come down to. NOW, I know that not all view this same opinion but really...?
This is were our country is now is that we can't even state condolences to someone we might not agree on. This is sad. I a 55 year old female who was thunderstruck. She this woman who was close to my own age (not a teenager or young adult) didn't even think twice about what she had just stated. She didn't care. AS with this group my vote is my opinion but I can see this country needs CHANGE more than EVRE.
Now I can't blame this all on the Republicans but I will blame them in part with there so called speeches and divisional tactics. You Sarah Palin were the worst. I hope you understand this and will explain to your children one day how you could have taken a high road however decided to sink with your opionions.
As Barack Obama stated on WED. Night this country needs to come together not divide and with him in office I can see this happening.
Posted by: The Truth | Nov 4, 2008 2:10:17 PM
It is very importent to me that he does not come off like Jimmy Carter but acts like he really is a smart sharp focused person. Not beholden to the Lord or Move on dot anyone.
The right will be trying to show he somehow is in the pocket of the Rev Wright or the liberal movement of the 70's. It is so importent to get good people with creds from all over to show this is not true. Step up and be Presidential this will not be easy he has much baggage, but he has a whole lot of people in the middle hoping he really is a smart as we think.
Posted by: Bonnie Kimberly | Nov 4, 2008 2:11:46 PM
MOVEON.ORG...GO TO HELL!
Posted by: Mark | Nov 4, 2008 2:09:14 PM
====
ditto, from the demo side.
Posted by: d0 | Nov 4, 2008 2:11:47 PM
I voted this morning and if Barack runs the country like he ran his pristeen campagne, we are in good hands. In the history of this country, no one has run such a classy, campaign like he just did. My first presidential election was Kennedy's and I was so excited because he inspired me to vote and to get involved. Sound familiar?
Barrack has such charisma and is truly an honest and non violent human being. He will surround himslef with the best.
I am proud to have voted for Barrack Obama. This should ease some racial views in the country. He has done everything right in his life and he certainly deserves to be President of the United States of America.OBAMA-08
Posted by: Anita | Nov 4, 2008 2:12:56 PM
hey.... where do we pick up the mortage checks??? I's gettin mines
Posted by: laqueshia | Nov 4, 2008 2:14:16 PM
I'm with Stupid is right- the political world and the society it represents is like the stock market- if you get too greedy it crashes. America and the entire world need to progress steadily and with as few backlashings and backtrackings as possible. We will eventually arrive at the future, and we need to be most careful not to bloody or destroy ourselves along the way.
Posted by: esel | Nov 4, 2008 2:14:38 PM
"The Truth" thanks for your post, now lets all pray that your vote gets counted. Rick could you please answer my question.
Is moveOn.org doing anything to police or counteract the possibility of network vote servers flipping the vote. This is of particular concern in Pennslyvania, Virginia and Ohio, states where mccain claims he has closed the gap. What safeguards are in place to ensure votes are not stolen, and bogus vote totals siimply replace the actual results?
Posted by: SeeingABetterWorld | Nov 4, 2008 2:16:10 PM
how can you all say that you hope Obama will resist his extremist peers when he the BIGGEST extremist....most liveral senator period....
Posted by: mccainfan | Nov 4, 2008 2:16:57 PM
Lets get obama elected!!! i can't wait...i'm a doctor and will have to pay higher taxes but I'll be happy to contribute BECAUSE I CAN MAKE IT UP I'LL GET MORE BUSINESS......... I'M GOING TO CRANK UP MY ABORTION CLINIC BIZ SO COME ONE COME ALL...1 DAY TO 9 MONTHS... I'LL JANK THAT LITTLE SH@#T OUT BEFORE YOU CAN SAY "GIVE ME MY CHECK BARAK"
Posted by: Doc | Nov 4, 2008 2:23:18 PM
Doc
thats sick BUT true
Posted by: Pat | Nov 4, 2008 2:25:42 PM
Black Panthers intimidate voters from voting in Philadelphia. One was holding a night stick and said that we will have a black president and they would do no matter what to ensure that.
Posted by: Look into it | Nov 4, 2008 2:27:24 PM
how can you all say that you hope Obama will resist his extremist peers when he the BIGGEST extremist....most liveral senator period....
Posted by: mccainfan | Nov 4, 2008 2:16:57 PM
Lets get obama elected!!! i can't wait...i'm a doctor and will have to pay higher taxes but I'll be happy to contribute BECAUSE I CAN MAKE IT UP I'LL GET MORE BUSINESS......... I'M GOING TO CRANK UP MY ABORTION CLINIC BIZ SO COME ONE COME ALL...1 DAY TO 9 MONTHS... I'LL JANK THAT LITTLE SH@#T OUT BEFORE YOU CAN SAY "GIVE ME MY CHECK BARAK"
Posted by: Doc | Nov 4, 2008 2:23:18 PM
________________________________________
You guys are really twisted and have a very distorted view of reality. You are showing everyone how arrogance and ignorance has dominated your lives.
Posted by: SeeingABetterWorld | Nov 4, 2008 2:28:19 PM
Doc
yea....fu*&k them kids...there just a peice of garbage...I'm with Barak...Make PBA legal and permament!!!!
Posted by: jeff | Nov 4, 2008 2:29:24 PM
You guys are really twisted and have a very distorted view of reality. You are showing everyone how arrogance and ignorance has dominated your lives.
Obama does not support PBA?? whos ignorant? does he or not?
Posted by: Pat | Nov 4, 2008 2:32:06 PM
Anita--- where have you been? where would you like me to start about Obama? classy campaign? honest? should I start with all his memoirs? Acorn? Reverend Wright? His illegal aunt? The list is waaaaayyyy to long to talk about all of his shady counterparts. Who can you name that is shady who is assoicated with McCain!!!!
Posted by: mccainfan | Nov 4, 2008 2:37:30 PM
One thing that concerns me about this election is it is dividing America and not just along party lines. I've never seen Americans so bitter and angry at others because of their political views.
It is my opinion that powerful people (in government) want us divided. That way we can't stand against them.
"United we stand, Divided we fall"
Posted by: Jim | Nov 4, 2008 2:47:48 PM
mccainfan ----------- Its a pity that you are delusional. I really wish that someone can take you by hand to visit a therapist right now, cos i can figure that you are nut and getting nuttier. You need a psychiatrist.
Posted by: kho | Nov 4, 2008 3:11:51 PM
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