DC for Obama isn't an official part of the Obama operation. But, during the 2008 campaign, DC for Obama played a key role in the Get-out-the-vote operations in Northern Virginia, particularly helping to win Prince William County. A lot of DC politicos participated in the 2008 Obama campaign through this group.
Over the weekend, DC for Obama's founder, Adam L. Barr, sent out an email blasting the budget deal for its impacts on DC:
The budget deal struck Friday by the White House and Congressional leaders interferes in the affairs of the District of Columbia, and puts its most vulnerable residents at greater risk. We need to send a clear message that we object to this overreach, and we are willing to hold Congress and our President accountable. This pattern of government catering to the rich and exploiting the poor has to be stopped.(Despite the rhetoric, the President and his top staffers really don't appreciate being accountable. We learned that during the DADT debate. They despise being challenged by progressives.)
As a candidate, Obama challenged us to expect and demand better from our government. Once elected, he repeated that call and asked that we hold him accountable. Today, we are doing just that.
President Obama – “I am my brother’s keeper”
The budget's impact on DC are three-fold (that we know of), including preventing DC from using its funds on needle exchange programs:
You will notice far less coverage about the Federal Government’s needle exchange intervention than the other two major provisions. The budget deal also bars the District from using local funds to support abortions for low-income women that opt for the procedure, and it reinstates the DC Opportunity Scholarship (school voucher program).This is truly despicable.
So, how is the base responding?:
We cannot allow the District to be used as a faceless bargaining chip in these negotiations without letting our voices be heard. On Monday, DC Vote is organizing residents to make clear their objections to being treated like second-class citizens, and we hope you will join us. We will gather at the Hart Senate Office Building to send the message that we will not be trampled on.
Join us at the DC Vote demonstration
Even if you cannot join us on Monday, you can still share your viewpoint with the President, Congress, and the media. In addition, you can make calls to the White House, Speaker John Boehner, and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. Congress still has to finalize the details of the agreement before their votes, which are anticipated mid-week. Click here to make your voice heard. The clock is ticking.
