WASHINGTON (CNN) – The incoming chairman of the Democratic National Committee said Friday he wants Barack Obama's army of campaign volunteers to help the new president move his economic stimulus package through Congress, one more sign that the new administration plans to harness their vast campaign network to pressure lawmakers on policy matters.
In a YouTube video e-mailed to DNC supporters on Friday, Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine answered questions from Democrats around the country, including one from an Indiana woman who asked Kaine how he plans to keep Obama supporters motivated post-election.
"President-elect Obama right from the start has to work with Congress to make sure we pass a stimulus package that will get the economy growing again," Kaine said in the video.
"We've got to get the American people to weigh in about the urgency of it and the importance of it," he added. "And that’s a way we can actually use the campaign volunteers to actually now make policy that’s right for the nation."
He also said campaign volunteers could be mobilized in more traditional ways, such as helping Democrats win governor’s races later this year in New Jersey and Virginia.
Kaine's remarks follow a Wednesday report in the Los Angeles Times that outlined a potential blueprint for the new president's political operation, in which the White House political office and the DNC would use existing campaign volunteers and newly hired staffers to organize grassroots pressure on elected officials.
An Obama transition official would not comment on that report.
From CNN Politics
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TIM WILL DO A GREAT JOB AS DNC CHAIR.
You hit it on the nail!
We want JOBS.. WE WANT JOBS... WE WANT JOBS.. WE WANT JOBS..
Do not oppose Obama or these individuals will come to your house and make your mind right.
ITS NOT A STIMULIS PACKAGE ITS A BIG DEBT LOAN SPEND AND PRAY IT WORKS DEAL, PERIOD.
They want to actually know what the American people want? Sounds good to me!
Kaine---a breath of fresh air and ideas--
Why do I keep hearing: About Proffesionalism... Just like this Pilot..
You are going to Elect an "Iliterate Idiot for CIC"???
You will get a job if you go to mexico and come back without ID,or get an WORK VISA and promise to make half the amount of money anyone else does in the same field.
It looks like the lobbyists of the new administation will be the American people. That would be a nice change from the practices of the outgoing Republican administration. I don't think the Repubs realize how difficult the future will be for them, having to fight voters and the Dems both in order to maintain their status quo.
I don't think this congress will need to be "pressured" into wrongfuly spending more of our money.
Great news. I will be one of those volunteers.
Right!
Victims need rescue! But victors are the real problem solvers not the government!
Great news. I will be one of those volunteers. Thank you for making average people part of a democracy.
Sounds like more Saul Alinsky "Community Organizing" to me! Rub them raw – then promise to rescue them!
His army of non-taxpaying supporters of course...
To all those people thinking about a permanent majority should come back to realty. Obama's election brought out lot of African Americans to vote and they will not come out in the record numbers for election in Virginia or elections in 2010. Also, meanwhile Democrats will do a good job of overdoing it. By the way, do these volunteers have any other job other than knocking the doors of people
To Rob
Dont forget, oil regulators slept with lobbyists and received gifts from them. THis is all done under W's watch. This former regulator said that when W came into power, he was told he didnt need to regulate, in fact, he was not going to have a job. 2000 to 2008 was the ERA of the lobbyists....
We're a lost cause. We're not as motivated as the lobbyists. They just keep knocking and knocking and knocking until they get everything.
For the past 8 years, our government was run by lobbyists. It was the ERA of the big lobbyists in town.
There is a disconnect between the Obama supporter and The Democratic party that needs to be fixed. Obama needs to make the Democratic party HIS party and the party of his supporters. If you believe in Obama, you should believe in his party. All liberals and moderats and conservative moderates who have been pushed out of the GOP should unite under this party. Basically all the smart people should bind together and make the success of this nation happen. Tim and Obama can do this
This guy is another joker. We do not need stimulus we need strong private sector to take up the challenges. We do not need the government in our daily lives to dectate.
Hey, 'Breaking News'
It would be easier for a White Supremist to come through the Canadian border as most illegal Europeans do. Better yet, why don't you just fall off the Earth – this world doesn't need you.
UMMMMMMMMMM
YES WE CAN..........
ranjit @ 406: Welcome to the wilderness. How does it feel?
Sure would be nice if my governor spent less time riding the coat tails of Obama and more time on Virginia. Wait a second, I forgot, raising the tax on cigarettes will solve our woes. I wish he would just resign and let someone else without other aspirations take over.