March 25, 2009
Posted: March 25th, 2009 01:00 PM ET

From
 President Obama's political operation is urging constituents to press their congressmen and senators to back the president's budget.
President Obama's political operation is urging constituents to press their congressmen and senators to back the president's budget.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – As President Obama heads to Capitol Hill Wednesday to ask Senate Democrats to support his budget, the president's political operation is urging constituents to press their congressmen and senators to back it as well - a double barrel lobbying effort targeting Republican and Democratic lawmakers.

Organizing for America, an arm of the Democratic National Committee, sent an e-mail early Wednesday afternoon tailored to each congressional district where Obama supporters live, according to a copy provided to CNN by a Democratic source.

"Members of Congress will begin debating President Obama's budget this week, with a vote likely set for next week," reads the note from OFA's Director Mitch Stewart. "What you do now will decide what kind of debate they have - one that's dominated by special interests and partisan voices intent on keeping the status quo, or one that reflects the priorities of citizens like you."

Stewart then asks the 13 million people who will receive this email to "pick up the phone" and express support for the president's budget to their congressmen and senators. OFA lists the names and direct office telephone numbers for the congressman and two senators.

The e-mail follows a weekend canvassing drive by OFA to drum up support for Obama's budget priorities.

Filed under: Congress • President Obama


Willy Brown   March 25th, 2009 5:09 pm ET

I hope his plan fails!!!!!!!

mb-texas   March 25th, 2009 5:06 pm ET

the leaders are not leading.They are worried the President
budget and other programs will hurt them politically.They should keep their mouths shut and work with the President.The fact that they could not get the spending bill through the last session shows they need help.

Brian Crooks   March 25th, 2009 5:05 pm ET

@ Mississippi Mike: did you even read the article or just the headline? He's calling on the Americans who donated to his campaign to call their representatives, not paying lobbyists to visit Congressmen and Senators. Maybe if you read the whole article instead of just seeing "Obama...Lobby" and going on a rant, you wouldn't look so stupid.

This is what you're supposed to do. When you have a bill that you think will help people, you ask those people to call their representatives and urge them to support the bill. Bush never did it because he had 6 years of a rubber stamp and 2 years with record filibustering by Republicans. RECORD FILIBUSTERING. I made my calls, Mr. President.

Kurt C.   March 25th, 2009 4:51 pm ET

Do not support this budget!!!! This kind of spending will bankrupt us!

Bahy, if he is criticizing this has finally come to his senses. Democrats are idiots for supporting something that will devastate our economy.

Peter E   March 25th, 2009 4:46 pm ET

Ah, I miss the good old days of secretive government where the president just took the congressmen on some fun trip and either bribed them with promises or blackmailed them with threats. You mean from now on we'll hear about the president openly, publicly make deals? Outrageous!

Mary J.   March 25th, 2009 4:27 pm ET

Lil do you mean Bayh of Indiana? I made my calls but then again I have been calling congress since last week when the conservadems started. Evan Bayh is looking after his lobbyist interests. Anyway, the President has to do whatever to get done what we elected him to do.
Incredible that the republicans used supplemental spending to fund the wars in Iraq and afghanistan and cooked the books on the rest of their spending. Why did they do that? Because they would be facing the same outrage President Obama is facing now because he is submitting a true budget with all expenses accounted for. How dare the republicans act so outraged when they spent money for wars instead of education for our citizens. How dare them be so outraged when we are rebuilding a country they played war games with instead of rebuilding our own infrastructure. How dare them...

lil   March 25th, 2009 4:05 pm ET

Good, and they need to get rid of that republican Blye in repulican clothes. Blye is the ring leader. It was his idea.

NICK   March 25th, 2009 3:44 pm ET

I for one, would love to see all 13 million make that phone call or send an e-mail... When will our elected officals learn that , We The People , want our President to have the chance to show and prove that his plans will work. Maybe 65 million e-mails would convince them.

renea   March 25th, 2009 3:23 pm ET

Thanks president obama for your effort. We will get their with Gods help i know we will. thanks for not listening to critics but instead you are fighting for us.thats what you were elected to do. IM PRAYING FOR YOU.

Anonymous   March 25th, 2009 3:20 pm ET

Oh, I'm pressing my congressmen and senators all, for them to get rid of Nobama before he turns this country into an even greater turmoil than he's proposing! That man is absolutely dangerous.

Jacksonville,Fl   March 25th, 2009 3:13 pm ET

I will do whatever in my power to support President Obama and if that means calling congressmen and senators to express support for the president's budget; that's what I will do. Matter of fact, I will call my friends and others to do the same (support our President) and we will make a difference. I hope congressmen and senators will not take our support for granted because they will have to face the citizens for their next election. So we all can get on board with the president or there will be consequences for all. Remember you reap what you sow.

ron   March 25th, 2009 2:59 pm ET

the cells have been activated.

Ajay Jain, Garland, TX, USA   March 25th, 2009 2:56 pm ET

President Obama should use the internet advertising to call for voters call to their Congressman and Senators and also through whitehouse.gov

GO OBAMA GO!

Debby, NJ...foot soldier 'til 2016   March 25th, 2009 2:42 pm ET

I'm on it tonight Mr. President...I will be picking up the phone.

Obamanation   March 25th, 2009 2:25 pm ET

Are we still permitted to criticize the president?

Scott H   March 25th, 2009 2:24 pm ET

Wow..use of specialized lobbyists for his own agenda. There's some real "Change you can Hope for."

Todd   March 25th, 2009 2:12 pm ET

SO by getting rid of lobbyist in Washington, Obammy meant changing who those were to make sure that they only support HIS agenda and put pressure on those who oppose HIM??

Wow, doesn't sound like the messiah to me....Sounds more like the dictator that he was called out to be!!!

phoenix86   March 25th, 2009 2:10 pm ET

"What you do now will decide what kind of debate they have — one that's dominated by special interests and partisan voices intent on keeping the status quo, or one that reflects the priorities of citizens like you."

In other words, NO QUESTIONS and NO ALTERNATIVES. Just shut up and and go along.

FreeNLovIt   March 25th, 2009 2:10 pm ET

Failure is not an option. Obama must not fail. There are 300 million Americans and we must seek to it that the policies are aligned for growth and stability. With healthcare, perhaps we can bring down the cost by implementing a global healthcare system? Seek to correct the man not wish for him to FAIL.

Brown   March 25th, 2009 2:09 pm ET

Go Obama!

Some people can not even give you 100days!

Linda from Minnesota   March 25th, 2009 2:09 pm ET

I got this e-mail and I did call my senator (we only have one because Coleman will not do the right thing and drop out) and I called my representative.

This president is so smart and so organized. His campaign was brilliant and now he is staying in touch with his supporters. Never have I been so involved in government. I write and call my representatives now on a regular basis. They represent me, how will they know what I want unless I tell them.

stormerF   March 25th, 2009 2:06 pm ET

Obama,getting his corrupt political machine reved up,Acorn back in action to phone and email their support....JUST more Shuck and Jive to push a bad plan.

JS007   March 25th, 2009 2:05 pm ET

And now we find out if the American people have the attention span to actually affect change. Obama can't overcome BILLIONS of dollars in lobbying money going to 535 people in Congress on his own.

"We are the change we seek."

helloooooOOOO   March 25th, 2009 2:02 pm ET

and why shouldnt he use the network..I got one of those emails, and I called the people on it...after all, this IS about all of us, forget the party of NO, I'm with and for the party of
YES, WE CAN

PLEASE HOLD   March 25th, 2009 1:59 pm ET

I called the phones are ringing away..................................... America unite and invest in our future. You invest in football stadiums but wont invest in yourself? Invest in better health for our kids...... Invest in energy for the future (incase you not to smart oil wont last forever) Invest in our world (A healthy world makes healthy people) Invest in School. I know its hard its easier to invest in war and sports and TV’s and cell phones.... but youll be alright don’t worry.

David   March 25th, 2009 1:59 pm ET

I called my congressman and two senators to express support for the budget, especially the healthcare and renewable energy sections. We'll see if Reichert can actually prove to be a moderate Republican or whether he's just a GOP stooge.

No Hillary = No Obama   March 25th, 2009 1:57 pm ET

STOP THE POLITICKING, THE SALES PITCHES, THE PROPAGANDA – LET'S SEE SOME CONCRETE RESULTS AND LESS YAPPING.

J.P.   March 25th, 2009 1:54 pm ET

"Obama uses political network to lobby Congress"

Ah yes, the "tyranny of the majority," also known in the Federalist Papers as "the violence of majority faction."

THIS, boys and girls, is the reason we have the Electoral College vice direct popular election of the president.

Patriot from ATL GA   March 25th, 2009 1:53 pm ET

I made the calls. It's time to get to work solving these problems and put normal politicing aside.

I wondered   March 25th, 2009 1:47 pm ET

Federal government is already $1 trillion in debt does not make it right to get deeper in the hole of another $9 trillion in 10 years. The right course of action is be financially responsible. Lake of displines sure will bring us to the disaster.

TJ Johnson   March 25th, 2009 1:46 pm ET

I wonder how Congress will like receiving 13 million EMails from teenagers who don't pay taxes.

I wondered   March 25th, 2009 1:46 pm ET

Federal government is already $1 trillion does not make it right to get deeper in the hole of another $9 trillion in 10 years. The right course of action is be financially responsible. Lake of displines sure will bring us to the disaster.

Deborah Black   March 25th, 2009 1:46 pm ET

Those Democrats, who pursue thier own political gain, ahead of the welfare of the people will be out. Are you listening those of you not willing to support our President? Even if you suport the President, you should learn how to think before you speak and be honest. It will serve you well.

Pat F   March 25th, 2009 1:43 pm ET

How unpresidential.

Mississippi Mike   March 25th, 2009 1:41 pm ET

So the president who promised not to have a single lobbyist in his administration is using lobbyists to sell his unpopular policies to the members of his own party. Sounds rational. Anyone else see a problem here?

Randy   March 25th, 2009 1:36 pm ET

I am ashamed of my fellow americans who have given up on life liberty and freedom. You are allowing a telepromter destroy this country.

Chris - Seattle   March 25th, 2009 1:35 pm ET

I called my three and ask them to support it! Reichert, Murray & Cantwell.

Mel   March 25th, 2009 1:28 pm ET

Good for him. Its nice to have a President who does things right and realizes that the people of the United States are his bosses.

Donna No Shock   March 25th, 2009 1:26 pm ET

Most everyone I have spoken to both Repubs and Dems thought your question was all about YOU. You wanted a "gotcha moment" but what you really got was a chance to look ridiculous to the public. Mr. Obama is way to smart for any of you in that room and deep down you know it.

Truth Bomb Thrower   March 25th, 2009 1:26 pm ET

CALLING ALL KOOL-AID DRINKERS.
CALLING ALL KOOL-AID DRINKERS.

THE MESSIAH NEEDS YOUR IGNORANCE, UNQUESTIONING OBEDIENCE, AND BLIND ALLEGIENCE.

Fauna   March 25th, 2009 1:25 pm ET

Any person who says that they want their president to fail, is really saying that they want their country to fail. Enough said.

Jeff from Denver   March 25th, 2009 1:18 pm ET

I do not understand how you can fix the "inheriting of a trillion dollar budget defict" by multiplying that defict by 7 to 20 (depending on who you listen too). Maybe some of you smart liberal thinkers can explain that to a not so smart liberal thinker.

Gordon Shumway   March 25th, 2009 1:14 pm ET

When you are an accomplished snake oil salesman, you can fool most of the people most of the time. Obama is an accomplished snake oil salesman, probably the best in the last 100 years.

What Obama is selling is dropping out the southside of a northbound horse.

President-for-life   March 25th, 2009 1:12 pm ET

If Obama wins we lose.

Spencer/Newport News, VA   March 25th, 2009 1:10 pm ET

I'm glad that he doesn't have to lobby the two democratic senators here in Virginia. And I doubt if he'll lobby to Eric Cantor. But he doesn't have to. Mr. Cantor has to answer to us in 2010 when we vote his butt out.

tim   March 25th, 2009 1:09 pm ET

Anyone watch Frontline last night.... spot on!

Bush's failed presidency will be Obama's curse!

Tax cuts+much more spending= bush tearing us apart.

Thanks a lot, Bush!

Haas   March 25th, 2009 1:09 pm ET

I got the email and made my calls to my congresswoman and senators this morning. I hope it works. We need to change the direction of this country and President Obama is the person to do it.

Glennis   March 25th, 2009 1:08 pm ET

Ah yes. The eternal campaigner.

Kevin in Ohio   March 25th, 2009 1:06 pm ET

Strong arm tactics of the new Emperor Palpatine.

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