Grassroots will not wither under Obama 2.0

[denem]

Source: SMH Australia

AS BARACK OBAMA builds his administration and prepares to take office next week, his political team is planning quietly for a nationwide hiring binge that would marshal an army of full-time organisers to press the new president's agenda and lay the foundation for his re-election.

The organisation, known internally as "Barack Obama 2.0", is designed to sustain a grassroots network of millions that was mobilised last year and is widely considered the country's most potent political machine.

Organisers and even Republicans say the scope of this permanent campaign structure is unprecedented for a president. People familiar with the plan say Mr Obama's team would use the network in part to pressure legislators - particularly wavering Democrats - to help him pass complex legislation on the economy, healthcare and energy.

The plan could prompt tensions with members of Congress, who are unlikely to welcome being targeted from within their own districts.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/grassroots-will-not-wither/2009/01/15/1231608886377.html

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Time will tell I guess whether the "Obama 2.0" experiment will include 'spine' and 'the base', or mostly serve as a marketing operation.

[roseBudd]

1. I went to an Obama 2.0 meet up on Dec. 13...

I think it is brilliant.

Our first task as a group was to select some thing charitable to do as a group.

Communuty organizing or ward politics I thibk it is brilliant.

It puts a face on what can Deocrats do to solve immediate problems.

[denem]

2. Sounds like a good step forward to me.

First community organizer as President ... Wonder if there is a correlate from the FDR era - it's going to be needed.