I’ve been banging the drum for Organizing for America (OFA) since the election and have gotten a great deal of push back from those who think either that OFA is just another failed DNC exercise or that it’s just a haven for Obamabots who mindlessly agree with everything that the president and his administration feed them.
Neither is true and we’re seeing evidence of that this week.
Yesterday alone, OFA VOLUNTEERS made over 90,000 calls into Massachusetts in support of Martha Coakley. Over 90,000 person-to-person connections by volunteers around the country into Massachusetts in one day.
Whoa.
Yes, us OFA volunteer types have drunk the Kool-Aid, alright. But we’re also getting the job done. And we’re not all mindless Obamabots. Here’s the thing about OFA:
You can take what you like and leave the rest.
Don’t like the president’s position or action/lack-of-action on health insurance reform? Fine. Don’t get involved with those phonebanks, canvasses or other activities.
Maybe a green energy economy is more to your liking. Or financial sector reform. When those activities come up, get involved. Just like thousands upon thousands of OFA volunteers are doing this weekend in support of Martha Coakley’s Senatorial bid.
That’s the beauty of OFA. It’s a powerful tool that’s going to be there whether you are interested in that particular issue or not. And when it IS your issue, it’s a fantastic resource to hook into and get things done.
Take what you like and leave the rest.
I know folks on the left have gotten off OFA’s mailing list and some of them have waved them the middle finger as they left. Well, who knows? Maybe after this past week some of them will look just a bit more kindly at OFA and what they have to offer. Whether or not Martha Coakley wins, OFA will have shown that it has the ability to rally enormous numbers of volunteers across the country, mobilizing them to help make things happen. And if it’s YOUR issue, the one thing that really gets you juiced, well it’s pretty danged awesome knowing that so many folks across the country are helping support your cause.
If it’s not your issue, that’s fine, too. There’s no pressure or requirement to take part.
OFA: Take what you like and leave the rest.
I’m just sayin’…
