The Biggest Untold Story in Politics
From OFA Deputy Director Jeremy Bird:
The opponents of change are making news right now, doing everything they can to delay and defeat health insurance reform. They think we'll tire and stop fighting, because they've outspent and outlasted every previous attempt.
But here's the biggest untold story in politics: The movement you're building -- the events, phone banks, door-to-door canvasses, and town hall meetings you're organizing around the country -- is the reason they can't stop change this time around.
In just three short months, more than 1 million people have taken part in our campaign for health insurance reform. But the images and stories behind that number are even more amazing. So we put together a quick video of what's happening around the country. Watch the video.
And here are five highlights that I wanted to share:
• The newspaper in Exeter, NH is reporting that local supporters are canvassing everywhere to build support for reform: door-to-door, at farmers' markets, and at state fairs. The article quotes volunteer Dave Munsey as saying that 2008 "was probably the most important election of my lifetime. This is just an extension of that."
• Supporters in Florida held simultaneous press conferences outside of nine local Senate offices with doctors, small-business owners, and others, all telling their personal health care stories about why reform is so important to them.
• After a huge event in Wisconsin, hundreds of the participants headed to a nearby town hall event hosted by Republican Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner to share their stories and urge him to stand with voters in support of reform.
•A host in Minnesota organized a barbeque for supporters to hear from speakers and write letters to their members of Congress. 1200 people joined in!
• Volunteer community organizers have participated in trainings in more than 13 states -- and 17 more are scheduled for the upcoming weeks.
• There's a lot more work to do to pass real health insurance reform -- especially in August, when members of Congress will be in their home states on recess, gauging public opinion before heading back to D.C. for the big votes in the fall.
We're going to need to work together every step of the way to cut through the distortions, get out the facts, and bring the voices of real people into the debate.
But for right now, I just want to thank you for all you're already doing. You are the reason we're going to win.
Jeremy
Jeremy Bird
Deputy Director
Organizing for America
