Obama Campaign Reinvents Itself as a Nonprofit
Organizing for Action will push the president's agenda and train new leaders.
By Joyce Jones
President Obama's hugely successful second-term bid, which took technology and grassroots outreach to cutting-edge and enviable heights, is getting a second life as a nonprofit group. Organizing for Action will promote the president's agenda and mobilize supporters on key issues such as gun control and immigration.
Set to launch on Jan. 20, the group will be funded by donations from individuals and organizations and have offices in Washington and Chicago. The group will not accept contributions from lobbyists and political action committees and will disclose all donors' names.
Jim Messina, Obama's 2012 campaign manager, will serve as its national chairman. Other former campaign operatives also are expected to be involved with the organization, including senior campaign adviser David Axelrod, who will serve as a consultant.
In addition to promoting the president's agenda, the group will train future grassroots organizers and leaders and advocate on behalf of local issues in communities around the nation.
In an online video, First Lady Michelle Obama said that the nonprofit's success will depend on its supporters.
"Now in terms of the specifics of what this organization will look like, a lot of that will be up to you," she said. "It will be determined by your energy and ideas and feedback because after all, this is your movement. And going forward, it can be whatever you make of it."
Posted By: DAVID JOHNSON
Saturday, January 19th 2013 at 1:27AM
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