Pledge of allegiance to the Tea Party

pacquiao -- If you spent this weekend on a beach or at a barbecue, what you missed was the clearest set of signals we've had yet about the far-right, negative turn the Republican field is taking in this election. This past weekend as Rick Perry entered the race, we watched Mitt Romney argue that "corporations are people" and Michele Bachmann and Ron Paul -- the two most extreme candidates in the field -- come out on top of the Iowa Straw poll. The Tea Party has all the momentum right now in the GOP primaries, and that's what knocked Tim Pawlenty out of this race. He quit on Sunday. Disturbingly, the view in the media was that Pawlenty was too "nice" for the Republican voters and "didn't fit with an electorate who wanted confrontation with President Obama at all costs." In other words: You ain't seen nothing yet. The actual Iowa caucuses are still a half year away, but as the field narrows it's become clear the next six months will feature a divisive cast of Republican candidates and produce a GOP nominee who's pledged allegiance to the Tea Party agenda -- an agenda whose first item is to destroy Democrats no matter the consequences for our country. While Romney, Perry, Bachmann, and the others continue their race to the right, we're busy organizing -- recruiting new supporters, training volunteers, and building for November 6, 2012. We need you to be a part of it. Chip in $3 or more to join this fight. Governor Perry's entry adds a new personality into the mix, but not a single new policy. Like every one of his opponents, from Mitt Romney to Rick Santorum, he's signed on to the Washington Republican plan that essentially ends Medicare, cuts K-12 education, and eliminates hundreds of thousands of jobs. He shares their view that big corporations, not seniors and middle class families, are the ones in need of some relief. In a field without policy differences, we can be sure that the nomination will be decided by rhetoric -- and the prize will go to the candidate willing to launch the most vicious, negative attack on our party and our principles. We've got to be ready to answer that anger with resolve and preparation, and we need to show that their far-right views -- and the dangers they pose to our country -- only make us more committed to winning in 2012. We can't do it without you. Chip in $3 or more today: http://my.democrats.org/Tea-Party-Pledge Thanks, Patrick Patrick Gaspard Executive Director Democratic National Committee

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Extreme aims

pacquiao -- The 2012 Republicans are in for a real test this week. They're gathering in Iowa for a debate on Thursday and an important straw poll on Saturday where conservative activists will select the person they think ought to be the GOP nominee. Whoever fares the best in these two contests will come out of the weekend with a burst of momentum. And with so much at stake, you can be sure that these Republicans will reach new lows in their attacks on the President and new extremes in their plans to gut programs that America's seniors and middle class families rely on. That means we need to be ready to beat back their misstatements with fact-checks, showcase good analysis from other debate watchers, and respond to their attacks in real time. We want you there with us. Sign up to watch the debate with us on Thursday, and we'll send you a reminder so you don't miss a minute. Even though this election is just getting started, for some Republicans Thursday might be their last chance for their campaigns to catch fire. For the current frontrunners, a bad showing might prove to be a disaster. Both types of candidates deserve a thorough look and an aggressive response from those of us who are committed to debunking their misstatements, defeating their extreme agenda, and reelecting President Obama and other Democrats. Mitt Romney, Michele Bachmann, and the rest of the GOP bunch are daydreaming right now about the successes they'll enjoy after this week -- great headlines, new donors, and a wave of volunteer support. We can make sure that what they wake up to instead are stories about the facts they got wrong and the voters they alienated. But it will take all of us to keep the record straight. Sign up for a reminder to join us on Thursday: http://my.democrats.org/Ames-Debate Thanks, Brad Brad Woodhouse Communications Director Democratic National Committee

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Gray hairs

Friend -- Every day, I see Barack make choices he knows will affect every American family. That's no small task for anyone -- and more proof that he's earning every last one of those gray hairs. This has been a busy week in Washington, but today happens to be Barack's 50th birthday. I'm writing to you because this year, the girls and I would like to do something a little different. I'm asking friends and supporters of this campaign to wish him a happy birthday by signing his card, and sharing why you're on this journey with us. Your names and notes will become part of a book that tells the story of this campaign -- who's building it, why we're in this thing, and what he means to us. We'll deliver a copy to Barack and send one to our campaign offices across the country. Sign the card for Barack. I've known Barack for more than 20 of his 50 years, and we've been through quite a lot together. It still amazes me that no matter how many decisions and distractions he's faced with every day, he's always able to focus on the bigger picture. One way he does that is by making time for stories and letters from people like you -- because he knows that this job isn't about him, but about the millions of folks around the country he's fighting for. This next year will challenge us all to work harder than ever before, but the crucial thing is that you're here now, early on, helping to build this campaign. I know that, like Barack and me, you have your own reasons why, so I hope you'll take a moment to sign the card and share your story with him and other supporters of this campaign. http://my.democrats.org/Birthday-Card Thanks for being a part of this, Michelle
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Fwd: Here's the story

pacquiao -- President Obama has recorded a short video to help explain the deal he's reached with Congressional leaders to reduce the deficit and ensure America meets its obligations -- and we wanted to make sure you had a chance to see it. We know there are a lot of questions out there, so please share this with your friends and family. Thanks, Patrick -------------ORIGINAL MESSAGE------------- From: Jim Messina, BarackObama.com Subject: Here's the story Friend -- The President and congressional leaders reached an agreement last night to meet our financial obligations and reduce our deficit. Many people will have lots to say about this deal -- but the President wanted to talk to you directly. Watch the video: http://my.democrats.org/Debt-Agreement Please share this video with everyone you know. Thanks, Messina Jim Messina Campaign Manager Obama for America
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Wednesday: Birthday house meeting in New York

pacquiao -- As someone who got his start in community organizing, President Obama understands the importance of grassroots action. That's why I hope you can join me in marking his 50th birthday next week in a way that I know he would appreciate: with a solid showing of grassroots organizing in every corner of the country. Grassroots organizing is at the foundation of what we do as Democrats, and on Wednesday, August 3rd -- the night before the President's birthday -- supporters will get together for house meetings in all 50 states. We'll plan local events, strategize about how to grow the campaign in our communities, and talk about how to spread the word about the President's accomplishments to friends and neighbors. And all of us will have a chance to join a live video conference with President Obama. Click here to find a house meeting near you. Neighborhood meetings like this are essential for running strong campaigns. As we get closer to the next election, you'll have other chances to get involved, but attending a meeting on Wednesday is the best way for you to shape our organizing in your community in the weeks and months ahead. It's also the only place you'll be able to join this special video conference with the President. Wish him a happy birthday by organizing at a house meeting near you: http://my.democrats.org/Birthday-House-Meetings Thanks, Debbie Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz Chair Democratic National Committee

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Obama: "Make your voice heard"

pacquiao -- Monday night, President Obama addressed the nation because it's time for Congress to come together and vote to ensure that America can meet its financial obligations. This is something that every President has asked lawmakers to do when necessary, and up until now, Congress has always acted. It's necessary because lawmakers have already voted for this spending, but haven't yet authorized the President to pay those bills. And if we can't reach a solution, the United States may default on its debts. That outcome is unacceptable. There is a disagreement for one reason: The President has proposed a balanced approach that pairs an increase in the debt ceiling with responsible steps to reduce our country's long-term deficit, but a core group of Republicans is refusing to accept any form of compromise that might force millionaires and billionaires and oil companies and corporate jet owners to pay their fair share. Time is running out. We have less than one week to prevent our nation's first default on its obligations in history, and that's why President Obama ended his speech by asking all of us to get involved. Speaker Boehner has heard from the President on this issue, but he hasn't heard from you. Call him now at 202-225-0600, then take a moment to let us know how your call went. Right now, there are lawmakers from both parties who understand what's at stake if we fail to reach an agreement. But there are some who are more interested in petty partisanship than genuine solutions to our nation's problems -- and they have brought us to the edge of disaster. As the President spoke, he said this: "The American people may have voted for divided government, but they didn't vote for a dysfunctional government. So I'm asking you all to make your voice heard... If you believe we can solve this problem through compromise, send that message." And since then, we've been hearing reports about a flood of calls to the Capitol -- that have at times overwhelmed the Congressional phone and email systems. You should be a part of this effort. Call Speaker Boehner now and keep trying until you speak to his office: 202-225-0600 When you get through to the Speaker, tell him to put politics aside and make a deal to raise the debt ceiling before August 2nd. Thank you for all you do, Patrick Patrick Gaspard Executive Director Democratic National Committee P.S. -- Once you've spoken to Speaker Boehner's office, let us know what you hear: http://my.democrats.org/Call-Speaker-Boehner

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Join me

pacquiao -- My first campaign made me an organizer. Every day, through a hot Florida summer, I knocked on doors and asked my neighbors for their support. I had five opponents in that primary, but on Election Day, I beat every single one of them -- with 53 percent of the vote. Since that race, I've known exactly how important organizing can be. It taught me the principles I hope to bring to the Democratic Party as its Chair. On my first day in this job, I recorded a short video to talk about my plans for our party. Watch it, then pledge to join us for some organizing on July 16th -- when we'll register voters and ask supporters to commit to help elect President Obama and Democrats up and down the ticket in 2012. Check out the video, then sign up for our Day of Action. We have big fights ahead, and I want to win them. In order to re-elect the President and win new majorities in Congress, we have to lay the groundwork for those victories now. That means getting started with good, old-fashioned organizing. That's the message I've taken with me to supporters in the 15 states I've already visited as Chair. But it also means embracing new ideas. When I started, Patrick Gaspard brought me some suggestions that supporters like you submitted to help us make our party better. I read feedback from people like Bill in Michigan who asked us to expand our organizing programs and Dick in Pennsylvania who said, "The message of all the good the President has done and accomplished must be communicated at the personal level by people in each community." I saw ideas from supporters like Kolman in Ohio and Alan in New York -- who suggested that we deploy the power of charts, graphics, and striking multimedia to help win arguments and strengthen the facts of our case. I heard from those like Vanessa in Colorado, who asked us to focus on research and messaging to push back against smears from our opponents, and Angela in North Carolina, who said, "Arm me with facts so I can counter the misinformation my friends seem to have on the tip of their tongues." This is exactly the kind of thinking -- smart and supporter-driven -- that I want to guide our work. That's part of why I'm so excited about this job. Are you ready to get to work with me? Join Democrats for our Day of Action on July 16th: http://my.democrats.org/July-16-Day-Of-Action Thanks, Debbie Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz Chair Democratic National Committee

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