Open Thread: Life-Size
Message from David Plouffe: “It’s a go”
From David Plouffe:
Earlier in the week, we asked if you thought we should put the experiences of real American families on the air and online to show why we need heath care reform. The overwhelming answer? Yes.
Thanks to your support, we were able to spring into action and share with America the very personal reasons why we cannot afford to miss this one chance to finally reform our health care system.
I want you to be the first to see this powerful ad. It features real people telling their true stories of lost coverage, watching loved ones go without care, and making the case for why we need reform.
Once you watch this, you'll see what we mean about how powerful these personal stories can be -- and why we need to get them on the air right away.
Will you watch the video now, and then donate $25 or more to put it on the air?
As we speak, Congress is rapidly hammering out the details of the health care bill, and getting this message out now is crucial. Our representatives must understand how strongly we feel about the need for real reform -- and that we need it now.
In the next few days, we must decide how many of these ads we can make, where we can air them, and how many views we can guarantee. The more resources we have, the greater the impact we'll be able to make.
So watch this first video, and then please dig deep with a donation of $25 or more so we can get this ad and others like it on the air and online in key areas across the country.
https://donate.barackobama.com/healthcaread
Thanks for making it happen,
David Plouffe
P.S. -- Over 99,000 people have already donated to power our campaign for health care reform. This is the perfect time to join them, and help us hit our big goal of 100,000 donors for health care.
Full Video: A National Discussion on Health Care Reform
Here's the full video of yesterday's online town hall, in which the President answered questions submitted from Americans across the country:
Message from Mitch Stewart: “How big could this be?”
From OFA Director Mitch Stewart:
Did you see Vice President Biden's email last week, sharing personal health care stories from supporters across the country? Well, the stories have been read millions of times, and the reaction is an overwhelming, "Wow -- we've got to get to work."
It's not surprising -- these stories show the human face of the health care debate and inspire us all to act.
So here's our latest idea: Putting our supporters in coast-to-coast television and online ads, telling their own stories, in their own voice. It could be a breakthrough moment in this debate, when millions of Americans realize how urgent reform really is.
But recording and nationally broadcasting these stories won't be cheap. We can only go forward if you're ready to chip in. So what do you say -- should we do it?
Yes. I think this is a great idea, and I'm ready to contribute so it can happen.
No, I'm not ready to contribute to this plan.
How big could this be? Many experts believe health care reform was defeated in the early 90's by the infamous "Harry and Louise" ads. They featured actors sitting around a fake kitchen table, pretending to be a family that was frightened by reform.
So just imagine if this time around, the debate is shaped by real people, looking us in the eye, telling their actual story, and asking for our help to fix this broken system.
Phony stories helped defeat health care reform in the past. But this time, real stories could be the reason we win.
If enough Organizing for America supporters say yes and then donate the resources we need to pull it off, we'll start filming and distribution right away. So what do you say?
Yes, let's get these real stories on the airwaves. I'm ready to contribute.
No, I don't think this is a good idea or I can't contribute at this time.We'll keep you posted with the results and what happens next.
Thanks, as always, for making it all possible.
Mitch
Mitch Stewart
Director
Organizing for America
LIVE: A National Discussion on Health Care Reform
President will hold a national discussion on health care today through an online town hall meeting at Northern Virginia Community College in Annandale. In addition to the live audience, questions will come from online communities such as Facebook, YouTube and Twitter. Senior advisor to President Obama Valerie Jarrett will moderate the town hall.
You can watch the event live at WhiteHouse.gov/live starting at 1:15 Eastern.
On the Ground: Minnesota
Today, volunteers throughout the Minneapolis area are organizing a series of health care related events -- canvassing, phone banking, and participating in public forums. OFA Minnesota State Director Jenn Brown explained in an email:
The fight to fix our broken health care system is heating up -- and we need your help to make sure all Americans have the care that many have lacked for far too long.
Our opponents have beaten back reform in the past, and they're ready again with seasoned lobbyists and big-money donors. But we've shown them before what our movement is capable of.
This Wednesday, we will show them again. Minnesotans from across the Twin Cities area will knock on doors, call neighbors, speak out at public forums, and build support for the President's principles for health care reform....When Americans get together and organize door-by-door, block-by-block, and neighborhood-by-neighborhood, we can build a movement from coast-to-coast. It's how we won a historic election -- and how we'll bring real change to America.
To fix our health care crisis, we need people like you to be part of the solution. With your help, we will prove that not only can we elect a new President -- we can build on that victory to tackle the problems facing Americans every day.
We'll have more info in the coming days on events like these throughout the country. If you live in or around Minneapolis, you can find an event today.
Statement from the President on Senator-Elect Al Franken
In a 5-0 decision, the Minnesota State Supreme Court today declared Al Franken the winner of the state's Senate race. Shortly thereafter, Franken's opponent Norm Coleman officially conceded.
In an official statement, President Obama congratulated Franken, saying:
"I look forward to working with Senator-Elect Franken to build a new foundation for growth and prosperity by lowering health care costs and investing in the kind of clean energy jobs and industries that will help America lead in the 21st century.”
Open Thread
"The first step we're taking sets new efficiency standards on fluorescent and incandescent lighting. Now I know light bulbs may not seem sexy, but this simple action holds enormous promise because 7 percent of all the energy consumed in America is used to light our homes and our businesses. Between 2012 and 2042, these new standards will save consumers up to $4 billion a year, conserve enough electricity to power every home in America for 10 months, reduce emissions equal to the amount produced by 166 million cars each year, and eliminate the need for as many as 14 coal-fired power plants."
Join the National Online Discussion on Health Care Reform
On Wednesday, President Obama will hold another online town hall, this time focused on health care reform. From WhiteHouse.gov:
This online town hall will be a little different than the last one. This time around, we are engaging online networks outside of WhiteHouse.gov, such as Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.
You can get started today by watching the President's video and posting your 20-30 second video response here:
Later this afternoon, Nancy-Ann DeParle will be hosting a live-streamed, online chat to discuss health care reform. You can take part using the White House Facebook live chat feature, starting at 5:00 PM Eastern.
Message from Joe Biden: “You’ve got to read these”
From Vice President Joe Biden:
A few weeks ago, President Obama asked you to share your personal story about how the health care crisis has affected you and the ones you love. Hundreds of thousands of stories poured in from every corner of the country. The President and I have read through many of them ourselves -- and now I'm encouraging you to do so as well.
Read these powerful, personal stories from people in your area and around the country.
And after you do, please forward this note on to as many people as you can.
For folks who don't yet understand why health care reform is such an urgent priority, these stories make the case far better than any statistics ever could.
For those who support health care reform but haven't yet found the time to join our campaign, these stories provide more motivation than any speech any politician could ever give.
So please read these stories, pass this note on to everyone in your address book, and help us show everyone in America why fixing our broken health care system is a necessity that just can't wait:
http://healthcare.barackobama.com/stories
Thank you,
Vice President Joe Biden
