What do all these volunteers do?
Obama's won. He has a tough set of tasks in front of him. He also has something unprecedented in American politics: millions of supporters who are willing to volunteer their time and energy, as well as money if need be.
Here's the question: How does a President Obama harness technology and his unprecedented network of volunteers to support his agenda for governing America?
I invite you to leave responses in comments. Please be as specific as you can. What are the strategic game-changers here? What are the potential pitfalls, if any?
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For one thing, I'd imagine a fair amount of pressure could be put on obstructionist Senators - there are people in every state who would more than likely write their Senator and urge him (or her) to "get off the dime" on something.
For another, it's a very large information gathering and disseminating tool.
November 6, 2008 1:05 AM | Reply | Permalink
What about some actual community service? I don't know exactly what that would be, but I'm envisioning the 21st century version of WWII collecting metal for recycling, planting victory gardens, etc.
November 6, 2008 10:06 AM | Reply | Permalink
Here are some possibilities:
1) Take online or phone polls of volunteers to "take the temperature" of supporters on policy decisions, or on ordering priorities.
2) Have an online forum where people can meet and discuss issues. This can help harmonize the opinion of supporters when they disagree, and give them a stake in the policies they are being asked to advocate for.
3) Begin a "national conversation" initiative in which each supporter is asked to seek out McCain voters and engage them in a targeted, goal-oriented and possibly somewhat scripted conversation on national priorities.
4) Canvassing, phone-banking, etc., but instead of asking for a vote, asking for the person to call their obstructing legislator (similar to Old Grouch's suggestion).
5) Continue to build the organizer base -- sending more volunteers to organizer "boot camp" to build capacity.
6) Actually holding periodic national referendums (is this even legal? It sounds expensive), and using the organizer base to GOTV and persuade voters.
November 6, 2008 11:42 AM | Reply | Permalink
Additional possibilities:
7) Crowdsource anything you want:
- Instead of (or in addition to) having a point person for rounding up legislative votes, set up a website which keeps track of who will vote for X. Similar to Josh Marshall's "Conscience Caucus" and "Fainthearted Faction" during the Soc-Security debate. Also provide information on how constituents can contact each legislator's office, as well as (perhaps) links to information regarding each legislator's funding sources.
- Provide an online forum for the wiki-creation of speeches. Have official speechwriters or other staffers periodically review the highest-rated submissions.
- Provide an area where volunteers can submit and vote on their own ideas for new presidential initiatives.
Obama has demonstrated that he recognizes the power of organizing and technology. He now has an unprecedented opportunity to make the American people a partner in their own governance. Not only can his supporters help him get things done, but giving them increased ownership and say will strengthen American democracy.
November 6, 2008 3:17 PM | Reply | Permalink