OFA Challenges List to Counter "Special Interests" During August Health Care Battle [UPDATED]
BY Nancy Scola | Thursday, August 6 2009
On the difficult question of is it astroturf?, Organizing for America has its take. The field arm of the Democratic National Committee is framing the anti-health reform protesters popping up at local townhalls as an extension of the same bought-and-paid special interests that oppose the reform push back in DC. Organizing for America's New York state director, reports Politico's Jonathan Martin, is firing up the organization's massive list with an email arguing that Democratic members of Congress are "under attack by Washington insiders, insurance companies, and well-financed special interests who don't go a day without spreading lies and stirring up fear."
The email goes on. "We need to show that we're sick and tired of it, and that we're ready for real change, this year." Supporters are urged to turn up for meetings and "make sure that the most powerful voices in this debate are those calling for real reform, not angrily clamoring for the status quo." Organizing for America has also put together a printable PDF placard for supporters to wave at local events. One the front it reads "Standing Together for Health Insurance Reform." The flip side reads a simple "Thank You."
UPDATE: OFA national is echoing the same message. Executive Director Mitch Stewart emails: "It's up to us to show Congress that those loudly opposing reform are a tiny minority being stirred up by special interests, and that a huge majority strongly supports enacting real health insurance reform in 2009."