Obama's Machine Sputters in Effort to Push Budget, Grass-Roots Campaign Has Little Effect

Apr 06, 2009 - Obama's Machine Sputters in Effort to Push Budget Grass-Roots Campaign Has Little Effect By Dan Eggen Washington Post Staff Writer Monday, April 6, 2009; Page A03 When his post-campaign organization was unveiled in January, Barack Obama vowed that the 13 million-strong grass-roots network built during his presidential campaign would play a "crucial role" in enacting his agenda from the White House. "The change we've worked so hard for will not happen unless ordinary Americans get involved, and supporters like you must lead the way," Obama told backers just before his inauguration. But in its first big test, the group dubbed Organizing for America (OFA) had little obvious impact on the debate over President Obama's budget, which passed Congress on Thursday with no Republican support and a splintering of votes among conservative Democrats. - 1 Comment