Obama wants you to pledge loyalty to him tomorrow

American Thinker ^ | March 20, 2009 | Lona Manning

[neverdem]

They have taken a pledge of loyalty to Obama, and they say they are coming your way tomorrow for yours. Organizing for America, the Obama-for-President campaign morphed into Obama-for-Maximum-Leader army, will hit the streets for their "Pledge Project Canvass," knocking on doors and accosting folks in parking lots and sidewalks to ask them to sign a pledge to support Obama's policies for health care, energy and education reform.

Organizing for America, a project of the Democratic National Committee, is variously described in the media as [President Obama's] "own version of a lobbying firm", "a parallel organization to the Democratic National Committee" and "an independent force to lobby for Obama's goals" (Houston Chronicle); "an independent group" (Dayton Daily News); Obama's "citizen army," and a way of building public opinion" (The Bergen County Record); "a grass-roots lobbying group," (Roll Call), "Obama 2.0" (Newark Star-Ledger), "a joint partnership," (DNC press release), and as a "political bully," (AP).

According to Mitch Stewart, Director of OFA, the organization will be "getting out in front of Washington and asking our elected officials to lead the charge on energy, education and health care this year."

So one might suppose that all the names and emails collected this weekend will be sent to our lawmakers in Washington in the form of a petition. Except that David Plouffe, Obama's former campaign director and an "advisor" to OFA, has emphatically stated that they will do no such thing.

Plouffe "stressed that Organizing for America is not aimed at twisting the arms of members of Congress but meant to keep activists engaged on issues such as health care, energy and the economy."

Syndicated columnist Dick Polman reported on January 29 that:

"Mr. Obama's aides emphasized that the effort was not created to lobby directly or pressure members of Congress to support Mr. Obama's programs... ‘This is not a political campaign,'' Mr. Plouffe said. ''This is not a 'call or e-mail your member of Congress' organization.''"

Whoops! Looks like Plouffe is out of the loop on that one. The OFA website prominently asks people to call Congress and helps them look up their representative's name and number. It even provides a script.

Now, it is confusing to see the Democratic National Committee asking for help to persuade the Democrat-led Congress and the Democrat-led Senate.

But according to OFA Director Stewart, ordinary folks like you are needed to combat "a Washington establishment that doesn't welcome change.... It's up to you to show Washington that Americans are demanding this new direction."

Okay, so who in Washington, exactly? Is the DNC going to give the names and emails to lobbyists? To Washington bureaucrats? That's doubtful. The sign-up sheet to be used for the pledge drive does not mention any privacy policy.

It does reveal (at the very bottom) that OFA is a project of the DNC. This might come as a surprise to dedicated Obama supporter Janine Poppa, who told the Dayton Daily News, "It is a nonpartisan effort, and I hope people believe it's nonpartisan, because we truly do need each other to move it forward."

Poor Ms. Poppa might be disillusioned to learn that the Florida Democratic State machine unabashedly bragged to the St. Petersburg Times that they were "preparing to tap into Barack Obama's grass roots machine to build the biggest political operation ever seen from the state party."

"The million-dollar question is how to translate the activism and enthusiasm that Barack Obama was able to create and translate it down the line,'' said Steve Schale, a Democratic consultant who managed Obama's Florida campaign. "That's the challenge, but fundamentally the state is better for Democrats than ever before because of what Barack Obama was able to do. It's still up to candidates to have compelling messages and drive up enthusiasm."

No doubt the Florida Dems will be getting another memo from Plouffe to remind them that OFA a movement "not to win an election, but to change this country."

Phillip Elliott reported in January that the extensive OFA email list is not even being shared with the DNC: "Party officials had hoped Obama would transfer his list of supporters to the party, a move that would put them in control of one of the most extensive campaign organizations in politics. Instead, Obama decided to keep ownership of that enormous campaign and install his own loyalists to run it."  This was done, Obama's aides insisted, in the name of being "post-partisan."

And Stewart and Plouffe, those idealistic grass-roots campaigners, stress that OFA is all about getting feedback from the Obama followers: "Mitch... believes so strongly in feedback, so we want to hear from you!"

The website is all about making "sure your voice is heard."

So tut-tut to Macon Phillips, the 30-year-old White House director of New Media, who told the New York Times that the OFA website "would give the White House another way to reach the public without having to rely on the mainstream news media." Doesn't he know that OFA is for people to communicate with their Leader, not for the Leader to send messages to his people?

Turns out even commenters at the Daily Kos are skeptical of the post-campaign uses of a campaign database.

"A small concern... again, small, but I need to voice it. I'd love to work like this to push for certain issues and policies I want to see enacted......however...I don't want to see this turn into some type of "permanent campaign". If anyone knows how the Obama administration is drawing that line I'd like to hear about it."

"There's no more campaigning to do.We won. Now it's up to us to usher in Obama's Age of Responsibility by working together to help fix America. The new goal is in service projects, not electioneering."

"I think it would be nice to include a smidge of something somewhere about the difference between governing and campaigning - it'd not only help answer any critics, but it would again draw another difference between the Obama administration and 8 years of Bush."

Whatever OFA is, David Plouffe at least thinks ''[t]his has obviously never been undertaken before. So it's going to be a little trial and error.'' As we noted on Wednesday, it seems as though OFA's organizers are ignorant of the lessons of history and of the sinister ambitions of leaders who created their own private organizations, loyal only to them.

[Gator113]

Should any of these idiots come to my house, they will quickly find that way down deep inside, I’m not a nice man. ;>)

[lowbridge]

"Pledge for Obama"

[TiberiusClaudius]

BTTT

[tcrlaf]

“This presidency is like a freak show. This will be the fastest demise of a presidency ever.”

NO, it won’t be, if the lessons of history show us anything....

The TRUTH is that massive, incredibly funded propoganda campaigns WORK with the uninformed sheeple. And anyone who speaks out against them is a “Nutcase”.

How many in today’s Major US media (FOX not Included) would be willing to take a PERSONAL pledge to Obama, do you think??

30%? 40%? 50%

How many did it take in Germany, Russia, China, Cambodia, Vietnam, Cuba, Zimbabwe, or any of the other totalitarian regimes of the 20th Century to overcome the voices of dissent against the totalitarian regimes??

The uninformed electorate willingly gives itself over to whatever is “Cool” now, in our mediacentric society.

[torchthemummy]

Organizing for America, the Obama-for-President campaign morphed into Obama-for-Maximum-Leader army, will hit the streets for their "Pledge Project Canvass," knocking on doors and accosting folks in parking lots and sidewalks to ask them to sign a pledge to support Obama's policies for health care, energy and education reform.

This kind of post-election electioneering will not play well with many voters, many that voted for Obama. Doesn't mean many will immediately be peeled away but will deepen the cracks.

[SIDENET]

knocking on doors and accosting folks in parking lots and sidewalks to ask them to sign a pledge to support Obama's policies for health care, energy and education reform.

They can sign a pledge of allegiance to my butt.

[KarenMarie]

The more I read what is happening to my country, the more I despair.

I don’t see how to stop the tidal wave of what is happening!

:(

[shibumi]

I’ll sign “Madman Armanidinnerjacket.”

[shibumi]

Catchy Tune:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y15S2oRdSZ4&feature=related

[NV Lawdog]

I will gladly pledge allegiance; to the flag and the Constiution of the United States of America. I will swear an oath to uphold and defend both in front of God and witnesses.

[LibertyRocks]

My only “Oath of Loyalty” belongs to God and our Lord Jesus Christ!

I’ll make my voice heard alright, and I suggest others do the same. If you are asked to sign this pledge I suggest refusing, and not politely — I suggest yelling at the top of your voice the following (feel free to substitute words you are comfortable with):

“Get away from me you Communist B******! I will NEVER participate in your efforts to destroy this country.”

Then if you have time I would suggest staying in the area and speaking out whenever someone is approached. After a while they will probably just leave the area...

CAUTION: I would only attempt this if you have full control of your emotions and won’t run the risk of losing your temper. The last thing any of us need is to be involved in an altercation at this point.

[cookiedough]

I’ll have full control of my emotions if anyone approaches me. If it is an adult, I will have plenty to say.

In my area, it would not surprise me at all if the libs send their kids out to canvas door-to-door. Kind of like selling Girl Scout cookies, or gift wrap for the schools. The kids are already trained to do that.

[Dapper 26]

I took a pledge years ago to defend the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic which I did. I see no reason to take another as I still consider my original pledge valid.

[angelsonmyside]

bump

[Thombo2]

I’m completely fed up with politicians and both(!)parties for that matter.When the RNC(pre-election-post McCain/Kennedy)called and asked for $$$,i politely but firmly expressed my disdain for McCain,my party,and why i would not donate that year.I’m not sure if i’ll be quite so “polite” if approached by Obamabots.

[2ndDivisionVet]

Das Kann ich mir nicht leisten! Kann ich bitte Ihren Ausweis sehen? Nein?! Ich rufe die Polizei!

[NTHockey]

Please, please I want some 0bamanut to get me to sign a pledge. It will be the highlight of my day.

“Go ahead, make my day.” Detective Lt. Harry Callahan

[tophat9000]

Obama & the DNC’s own little GOPstopo thugs

[M1Tanker]

The DNC has been a haven for true national socialists for decades...

These Brownshirts are nothing more than Hitler Youth with the internet and email. Looking at their website is like looking into a nightmare of totalitarianism.

[JDPendry]

You went away and left me long time ago
Now you come knockin’ on my do’
I hear you knockin’ but you can’t come in
I hear you knockin’ go back where you been