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The Obama Campaign's Massive Email List Used This Weekend for House Parties
December 15, 2008 7:07 AM
ABC News' Sunlen Miller reports: Weeks ago the Obama campaign enlisted those on its massive email list to hold house parties this weekend to discuss how they would like to contribute in the Obama administration.
This weekend, the results of the activation of the email list -– which an Obama aide estimates is upwards of 13 million people -- was put on display.
The Obama team reports that 4,252 "Change is Coming" house parties were held in all 50 states -- plus Guam and Puerto Rico. At least 1,950 cities had house parties, and Los Angeles had the largest single party, with 400 people in attendance.
The goal suggested for the meetings was for supporters to "reflect on this monumental journey and plan on how they can bring change to both Washington and their own communities."
The dialogue during the house parties was completely open.
Obama campaign spokesman Ben LaBolt says the parties are the "next step in determining our supporters' vision for how the organization develops."
This weekend's turnout is one sign of how beneficial the extensive email network the Obama campaign acquired during the campaign could be -– leaving the Obama transition team with a potentially powerful grassroots tool at its fingertips. There is much debate -– and more than healthy dose of secrecy -– from the Obama Transition Team as what exactly to do with this consortium.
The house parties this weekend are just one of the first steps demonstrating how the list could potentially be useful at the grassroots level.
For the house parties, the Obama campaign assembled a team of organizers from battleground states to work with local volunteers. Citizens taking leadership roles hosted the house parties. A packet -- which was given to each host to play during the meetings -- included a DVD of Obama's election night speech, a three-minute "We Have a Lot of Work to Do" video showing off the volunteer efforts during the campaign, and a video from Nikki Sutton, an online Obama campaign organizer.
"Now that the campaign is over, you might be wondering what the next steps are," Sutton says, speaking straight to the camera on the clip that was distributed to play at the house parties, "One of the goals of these house meetings is to come together with friends and neighbors and think about how you will help Barack pass legislation though grassroots acts in your community. In the course of this meting you'll lay the groundwork for what you can do over the coming months and years."
LaBolt tells ABC, "President-elect Obama was clear throughout the campaign that elected officials in Washington alone aren't going to bring change, and whether it's by working to expand the Democratic majority or building grassroots support for the administration's agenda, the power to bring the change we need lies in the hands of Americans who are engaging their communities."
December 15, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (15)
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I hosted one. We discussed local and national issues. In our town we have water issues, so we discussed how to conserve water and get good quality water, as well for energy(we live in Washington and use the Columbia River for energy). Then health care, the shortage of physicians, quality, and uninsured how to get access to all for an affordable price. As well food banks in our area and shortage and quality of food(possible working with farmers in our areas to work with food banks). And lastly we discussed the rise of violence in our area. We live in the Palouse area which surrounds two major colleges WSU and UI the rise of violence against women, minorities and gays and lesbians have taken a step upward, and we'd like to see it stopped for the betterment of our community, so we will be doing a community event on the 17th of Jan an event for MLK day for non violence. It was a great meeting and we plan to meet every Saturday and pull projects with other organizations in our area. Our group name is "palouse for change".
Posted by: Crystal | Dec 17, 2008 2:17:12 PM
It is wonderful that Obama wants input from ordinary people as well as the experts he is putting in cabinet positions.
Posted by: Lydia | Dec 16, 2008 9:26:37 AM
Got the email myself...delete. It was sooo much fun. They just won't take me off the list. They're still asking for money too. Spring, admit that you stole those ideas from the communists.
Posted by: RL in Illinois | Dec 15, 2008 7:03:45 PM
Spring:
You must not work far from home, or do any traveling. Maybe you don't work?
I put 3000 miles a MONTH on my car working for a non-profit helping elders remain healthy and in their own homes. $4+ a gallon nearly shut down everything, including the free transportation to doctor's appointments.
But then, in other threads, it was put forward (not by me) that maybe, just maybe, the new Health Care plan should limit care to people who are sick "from lifestyle choices." Broad definition, that, but it would cut out care to many of my clients. Then no longer necessary to go out to see them.
But, should it continue, "Obama willing," many of my co-workers drive SUVs so they can GET to the clients in dangerous weather carrying medical equipment. I can't afford one, or a Pious. I certainly can't afford the ridiculous penalties you envision.
So, you just giggle over $7 a gallon, and feel good about yourself. Those evil elders will thank you for caring about this country.
Posted by: Laughing Cynic | Dec 15, 2008 6:29:11 PM
Let's party
From the Bottom UP
Bottom up everyone.
TOAST TO OBAMA.
This Nation will Ba-ROCK on the 20th of January
Posted by: Omentum | Dec 15, 2008 5:39:21 PM
They should hold onto their wallet at these Amway events! HopenChange becomes the new timeshare.
But its their choice, hope they have fun.
Posted by: BertieW | Dec 15, 2008 3:01:38 PM
no but they should keep in touch with the people,
get as many people involved as possible.
after eight years of georgie,
lots of work, for lots of people to do
to help get this country up and going again.
Posted by: sugar | Dec 15, 2008 12:17:02 PM
Are they going to keep campaign events going all through his presidency?
Posted by: MayBee | Dec 15, 2008 10:50:14 AM
Maybe the Obama congregation can turn out to beat up those who join the General Strike for National Health.
It'll be like the brown shirts -- cool.
Posted by: Edgar Cayce | Dec 15, 2008 10:03:36 AM
Concy,
only you would think people getting together to discuss ideas is a crazy thing. OH you.
Posted by: Question | Dec 15, 2008 10:01:40 AM
Tina:
We are doing things differently this
time. Size 10 shoe will never hit anyone. Right Tina!!!!
Posted by: FM | Dec 15, 2008 9:21:43 AM
you must be looking in the mirror.
The obama people amaze me, I think we are seeing a change in how politics will be in the future.
all of these old heads, will all be trying somethings like this in the future.
the deal with the cell phone, and now this.
I for one hope to live to see the day when divisive politics are out of the window.
I hope everyone will continue to be a part of making this country better, we need it.
after the last eight years, for all good patriots, we need everyone trying to make this country great again for all of its people.
Posted by: bush the usa | Dec 15, 2008 9:15:59 AM
Oh we came up with some wonderful ideas. Take away all CEO's outrageous salaries and perks, bust up every oil company, take over the auto makers and force them to pattern vehicles after my Prius, put carbon taxes in place now, make people pay carbon credits to continue their bad habbits of destroying the planet, tax gasoline to $7 a gallon, outlaw SUV's and recycle them, ban all future gun sales, ban ammunition so eventually their guns will be nothing other than bats, ban religion, strip all references to religion from government.
As you can see we came up with quite a list and had a great time doing it. This is historic. This is an end to evil in America. I am so glad I went to the party.
Posted by: Spring | Dec 15, 2008 8:46:42 AM
I was at one. It's called power from the bottom up baby!
Posted by: yes... | Dec 15, 2008 8:21:10 AM
Scarry!
Posted by: tina | Dec 15, 2008 7:39:57 AM
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