Hi folks. Last week, many of you joined the TPM-aholics group at my.barackobama.com (mybo). We're now up to 83 members. For those of you who missed the thread, I set up the group to help TPM cafe members meet up offline and organize for the presumptive Democratic nominee.* If you haven't joined, you may do so here:
http://my.barackobama.com/page/group/TPM-aholicsSupportGroup

* If by some freak chance, Obama concedes and Clinton becomes the nominee, we'll re-orient.

In a second thread, articleman has proposed a TPM-centered fundraiser with Q & A from a campaign representative. Here's the idea: TPM members will hold house parties in cities across the country (or the world, I suppose, where time zone appropriate). Guests would be asked to donate to the Obama campaign. A conference call or web meeting will take place in which a representive from the campaign would answer questions.

Here's what we need to figure out to make this happen:

Who? If we were able to raise enough money, we could theoretically get the man himself online. I don't think that we should plan on that, but it's something to aim for. Other possible participants include Plouffe, Axelrod, or Michelle. Another person who could be interesting would be Facebook founder Chris Hughes, who coordinates online organizing for Obama.

What? In a future thread, or on the TPM-aholics listserv, we can have a discussion about what questions to ask. I was thinking that someone from each house party could take responsibility for asking one or two questions plus follow-up.

Where? Your house. TPM members will host house parties in as many cities as possible. We can bring in a lot more people if TPM members invite their friends and neighbors to participate. If you have no friends, and your neighbors are Republicans, you can publish the event at mybo. (I met a lot of great people that way at the results-watching party I organized last week.) If you live with a pet bear in an isolated cabin in the wilds of Idaho, you can still participate, but the more participants, the better, so I hope that people will host parties when possible.

When? Articleman suggested, and I agree, that we should wait until after the craziness has ebbed. We might even be able to bring in a few of Clinton supporters for some TPM unity. I suggest June 14th. Obviously, we're not going to be able to accommodate everyone, but if you would like to host a party and can't do the 14th, please speak up. If enough people can't do it, we can select a different day.

Why? To raise money for the Democratic nominee in the general election, to build connections within the TPM community, to satisfy our insatiable curiosities.

How? I suggest a skype call because it's free, doesn't depend on speaker phones, and allows us to see the representative on video. (Some setup required.) MrDeadeye2U, you wrote on articleman's thread that the campaign can do net-meeting style meetings. Is skype an option? If not, what would you recommend?

What else? I think the story of an online community like ours organizing for Obama could be press-worthy. That would good for Obama and good for TPM. If you have any press connections, please let us know

What now? Hosts. We need hosts. If wish to do it, please send me a message at mybo. My profile is http://my.barackobama.com/page/dashboard/public/gGnyqX. You can also find me by searching for Genghis at mybo or at the TPM-aholics group home page. In your message, please include how many guests that you think you can get and how much you think they would be willing to donate. This will give us a sense of how big this thing will be. We'll follow up with instructions on how to set up the party and also send you bumper stickers and buttons and such. Depending on the response, I may be pretty busy, so I apologize if I'm unable to respond personally. In addition to articleman, California Paige has offered to help coordinate, so you may hear from her.

Other stuff...

Please recommend so that this thread stays makes the recommended list. I apologize for taking up a spot on the list and promise not to inundate the threads with TPM-aholics organizational work. It's just a good place to get the word out and have a discussion. If you wish to be involved in the planning, please bookmark this thread and check back regularly, as we will continue to communicate here after it comes off the recommended list.The main fundraising page can be found at http://my.barackobama.com/page/outreach/view/maingroup/TPMaholics. I'll also set up an email list for party hosts so that we can exchange ideas and coordinate.

By the way, we still need to choose an official logo for TPM-aholics. Please vote in our logo-off.
http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/genghis/gGCVQ7/commentary

Thanks to everyone for your enthusiasm and for making this possible,

Genghis

This event is not supported or endorsed by Talking Points Memo.