There was an interesting article in the Chicago Tribune just days after Barack
Obama’s inauguration. Published on January 14, 2009, Peter Wallsten entitled
it “Obama’s Team 2.0.” In that article, Wallsten described a freshly minted version
of President Obama’s campaign machine morphing itself into the new “Obama 2.0.”
The millions of dollars and volunteers left from the aftermath of his cash-glutted
presidential run would be tasked to organize in every state and every congressional
district. The purpose was not only to move the president’s political agenda, but
also to punish Democrats who did not fall in line. Democrats reportedly feared this
new organization and others were questioning its dangerous potential. No other
president in the history of the United States had ever set about to establish his own
personal power in this way.
Wallsten took it further. He described plans to deliver goods and services and aid
in disaster relief…all in the name of Barack Obama. This was a new model of power
and influence in the West but long familiar to our brethren in the Middle East.
Much of that money and those people did indeed make their way to a new
organization which swiftly changed its name to Organizing for America. Anyone
doubting it’s connection to the president has only to access one of its web
addresses: mybarackobama.com
Organizing for America has been a steady presence in Madison, Wisconsin. And
this is their report on Saturday’s massive welcoming to the fourteen democratic
senators who returned after three weeks hiding in Illinois, refusing to come to
Madison for a vote:
"This is what democracy looks like!" the people are chanting and clapping with
a pretty awesome beat. This is very real and it's happening now. Friends, allies,
workers, we're all here at the capitol in Madison in the fight for our rights. The
spirit inside and out of the packed building are filled with faces showing all
ranges of emotions…”
There was no mention of that “range of emotion” that included hate.
Death threats to Wisconsin Republican Governor, Scott Walker, and his party’s
eighteen Senators have been direct and unambiguous. They are numerous
and specific and they are coming from protestors in sympathy with union
protestors connected to the President of the United States. But the President is
silent…Organizing for America is silent and so have been NBC, CBS, ABC, NPR, CNN,
the New York Times, and most major media.
These are excerpts from an e-mail sent March 9 to Republican Senators: