Shortly after meeting with House Democrats on Capitol Hill in advance of the health reform vote, President Obama delivered the following remarks from the ground of the White House:
Good afternoon, everybody. I just want to say a few words about the landmark vote that the House of Representatives is poised to take today -- a vote that can bring us one step closer to making real the promise of quality, affordable health care for the American people.For the better part of a year now, members of the House and the Senate have been working diligently and constructively to craft legislation that will benefit millions of American families and millions of American businesses who urgently need it. For the first time ever, they've passed bills through every single committee responsible for reform. They've brought us closer than we have ever been to passing health insurance reform on behalf of the American people.Now is the time to finish the job. The bill that the House has produced will provide stability and security for Americans who have insurance; quality, affordable options for those who don't; and lower costs for American families and American businesses. And as I've insisted from the beginning, it is a bill that is fully paid for and will actually reduce our long-term federal deficit.This bill is change that the American people urgently need. Don't just take my word for it. Consider the national groups who've come out in support of this bill on behalf of their members: The Consumers Union supports it because it will create -- and I quote -- "a more secure, affordable health care system for the American people." The American Medical Association and the American Nurses Association support it on behalf of doctors and nurses and medical professionals who know firsthand what's broken in our current system, and who see what happens when their patients can't get the care they need because of insurance industry bureaucracies.The National Farmers Union supports this bill because it will control costs for farmers and ranchers, and address the unique challenges rural Americans face when it comes to receiving quality care.And the AARP supports it because it will achieve the goal for which the AARP has been fighting for decades -- reducing the cost of health care, expanding coverage for America's seniors, and strengthening Medicare for the long haul.Now, no bill can ever contain everything that everybody wants, or please every constituency and every district. That's an impossible task. But what is possible, what's in our grasp right now is the chance to prevent a future where every day 14,000 Americans continue to lose their health insurance, and every year 18,000 Americans die because they don't have it; a future where crushing costs keep small businesses from succeeding and big businesses from competing in the global economy; a future where countless dreams are deferred or scaled back because of a broken system we could have fixed when we had the chance.What we can do right now is choose a better future and pass a bill that brings us to the very cusp of building what so many generations of Americans have sought to build -- a better health care system for this country.Millions of Americans are watching right now. Their families and their businesses are counting on us. After all, this is why they sent us here, to finally confront the challenges that Washington had been putting off for decades -- to make their lives better, to leave this country stronger than we found it. I just came from the Hill where I talked to the members of Congress there, and I reminded them that opportunities like this come around maybe once in a generation. Most public servants pass through their entire careers without a chance to make as important a difference in the lives of their constituents and the life of this country. This is their moment, this is our moment, to live up to the trust that the American people have placed in us -- even when it's hard; especially when it's hard. This is our moment to deliver.I urge members of Congress to rise to this moment. Answer the call of history, and vote yes for health insurance reform for America.
There are only a few hours left to contact your representative before the vote and add your voice to the President's call.
An update from President Obama:
There are only a few hours left to contact your representative before the historic House vote on health reform.
The deadline to vote on your favorite videos in the OFA Health Reform Video Challenge is tonight at midnight. The winning video will air as part of a national television ad buy as we enter the final stages of the health reform fight:
From Mitch Stewart:
This is it -- the House of Representatives will vote on health insurance reform tomorrow. All signs point to it being incredibly close, possibly even coming down to a single vote. With the clock ticking, insurance company lobbyists are going all out to stop reform. Please call your represenative now. President Obama is visiting the House tomorrow to call for reform, and I hope you'll add your voice to his right away. If you haven't called before, now is the time. And if you have recently called, thank you -- now please ask friends, family members, and co-workers in your district to join you. http://my.barackobama.com/HouseVote Everything we're fighting for comes down to moments like this -- and every second counts. Thanks for stepping up, Mitch
A special message from Obama for America Campaign Manager David Plouffe:
One year ago today, you made history. We all knew that electing Barack Obama President was only the opportunity to bring about change; that we would all have to keep working to fulfill the promise our victory offered. And you've come through -- by making hundreds of thousands of calls to Congress to push health reform forward, by pouring your effort into seemingly insurmountable challenges time and again, and, since January, by building on the power of our campaign to create Organizing for America. And now, with the finish line on health reform in sight, we need your voice more than ever before. To mark this special day, President Obama just recorded a video for supporters like you -- please watch his message, and sign up to join OFA in your community today.Thank you so much for fighting so hard and giving so much to make the promise of a stronger, more just and prosperous America in the years ahead a reality: http://my.barackobama.com/Year My best, David Plouffe
One year ago today, you made history. We all knew that electing Barack Obama President was only the opportunity to bring about change; that we would all have to keep working to fulfill the promise our victory offered. And you've come through -- by making hundreds of thousands of calls to Congress to push health reform forward, by pouring your effort into seemingly insurmountable challenges time and again, and, since January, by building on the power of our campaign to create Organizing for America. And now, with the finish line on health reform in sight, we need your voice more than ever before. To mark this special day, President Obama just recorded a video for supporters like you -- please watch his message, and sign up to join OFA in your community today.
Thank you so much for fighting so hard and giving so much to make the promise of a stronger, more just and prosperous America in the years ahead a reality: http://my.barackobama.com/Year My best, David Plouffe
UPDATED (8:00 p.m.) Polls are now closed in Virginia and in New Jersey, but voting is still underway in New York and other places across the country.
Click here to call voters in New York's 23rd District.
UPDATED (7:00 p.m.) Polls in Virginia are now closed, but voting is still underway in New Jersey and New York, as well as other races across the country.
Polls in Virginia close at 7:00 p.m. Eastern; polls in New Jersey close at 8:00 p.m. Eastern and polls in New York close at 9:00 p.m. Eastern.
We've only got a few hours left to make as much of an impact as possible. No matter where you are, you can help out in the final stretch by making GOTV calls from home:
Click here to call voters in Virginia. (polls are now closed)
Click here to call voters in New Jersey. (polls are now closed)
From OFA Director Mitch Stewart:
The House's first full vote on health reform legislation may come as early as this week. It'll be the first time in more than 60 years that the full body votes on comprehensive reform, and we expect it to be very close. But with just a few days before the vote, the insurance industry and their allies are putting extraordinary pressure on every representative to defeat it. We know that their expensive lobbyists will be dashing to each congressional office, attempting to twist arms. The only question is whether the phones will be ringing off the hook with constituents supporting reform while that happens. Can you call your representative right now and tell them to vote in favor of real health insurance reform?The House bill incorporates the best ideas from Democrats and Republicans to guarantee security and stability for those with insurance, provide affordable options for those without -- including the choice of a public insurance option -- and reduce costs for families and small businesses, all while decreasing the deficit. Many representatives are standing with the President and fighting hard for reform. They need to know that they have our thanks and our support. And we need to remind the rest of Congress that Americans need them to rise above partisan divides and stand up to the special interests. Please call: http://my.barackobama.com/HouseVote It's down to the wire. Your hard work helped bring us to this historic moment. Now let's bring it home. Thanks, Mitch Mitch Stewart Director Organizing for America
The House's first full vote on health reform legislation may come as early as this week. It'll be the first time in more than 60 years that the full body votes on comprehensive reform, and we expect it to be very close. But with just a few days before the vote, the insurance industry and their allies are putting extraordinary pressure on every representative to defeat it. We know that their expensive lobbyists will be dashing to each congressional office, attempting to twist arms. The only question is whether the phones will be ringing off the hook with constituents supporting reform while that happens. Can you call your representative right now and tell them to vote in favor of real health insurance reform?
The House bill incorporates the best ideas from Democrats and Republicans to guarantee security and stability for those with insurance, provide affordable options for those without -- including the choice of a public insurance option -- and reduce costs for families and small businesses, all while decreasing the deficit. Many representatives are standing with the President and fighting hard for reform. They need to know that they have our thanks and our support. And we need to remind the rest of Congress that Americans need them to rise above partisan divides and stand up to the special interests. Please call: http://my.barackobama.com/HouseVote It's down to the wire. Your hard work helped bring us to this historic moment. Now let's bring it home. Thanks, Mitch Mitch Stewart Director Organizing for America
As voters in a number of states head to the polls today, many long-time supporters are back on the phones, making calls to help get out the vote. In New Jersey, Jersey Girl reports:
Turn out is slow like any other non Presidential election no surprises there. This afternoon I volunteered to take people to the polls for now to the phones. Let's go NJ, NY and VA GOTV.
From Cookemon, in Illinois:
I'm making calls to Virginia, reminding folks to vote and let them know how important their vote is... I'll be calling off and on today.
And from Sharon, in Maryland:
Just finished 50 calls to New Jersey. Felt like old times. Time to stretch my legs and go back for more.
No matter where you are, you can help out in the final stretch by making GOTV calls from home using our online tools:
Click here to call voters in New Jersey.
Click here to call voters in Virginia.
In many places across the country, today is election day. There are governor races in Virgina and New Jersey, Congressional races in New York's 23rd District and California's 10th District, as well as countless other important local races.
Voters in New Jersey can find their polling location here.
Voters in New York's 23rd District can find their polling location here.
Voters in Virginia can find their polling location here.
No matter where you are, you can help get out the vote in these key states by making phone calls from home using our online tools. Turnout is key in off-year races, and just a few minutes on the phone can make a huge difference in a tight race.
One year ago, we saw firsthand the impact that these phone calls and conversations can have. It's election day, and you know what to do.
For voters in many parts of the country, tomorrow is election day. This weekend brought huge news out of New York's 23rd congressional district -- Republican Dede Scozzafava suspended her campaign, leaving a two-way race between Democrat Bill Owens and Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman.
And yesterday, Scozzafava endorsed Bill Owens -- President Obama's choice -- calling Owens the one candidate left who "understands this district and its people, and when he represents us in Congress he will put our interests first."
In a special election like this, turnout is everything -- tomorrow's outcome could be decided by just a handful of votes. We need your help to call Bill Owens supporters and make sure they get out to vote tomorrow.Call Bill Owens supporters in NY-23 and remind them to vote tomorrow.
Thousands of OFA supporters have made calls using our online "Neighbor to Neighbor" tool in the past year. Just log in (or create an account) and follow the instructions.In no time, you'll be on the phone with an Owens supporter who is grateful for the reminder to vote -- and you'll have a tremendous impact on a key special election from the comfort of your own home.A week ago, President Obama wrote folks in New York to announce his support for Bill Owens:
As I work to change the tone of our nation's politics and end the petty partisanship that has dominated Washington for too long, I'll need the help of leaders like Bill.But my support will only take Bill so far. As we learned last year, true change doesn't come from folks in Washington, but from the dedication and energy of people like you.
We proved last year that thousands of volunteers knocking on doors and making phone calls can accomplish anything. And today, we need your help again.Call Owens supporters and remind them to vote tomorrow.
From OFA Deputy Director Jeremy Bird:
One year ago today, we were in the homestretch of the Obama for America campaign. I had been organizing on the ground in Ohio for months, with hundreds of incredible -- and exhausted -- staff, and thousands and thousands of amazing volunteers. We were hopeful, but we didn't take anything for granted. As we watched the victorious results of your hard work come in -- state-by-state, county-by-county, precinct-by-precinct -- we were completely elated. I'm sure you felt the same way. But that work wasn't finished, and it still isn't. That night, President-Elect Obama told us that the election victory was only the beginning of the change we all sought -- and today, through Organizing for America, we're fighting just as hard to make health insurance reform a reality, this year. But while we seek to live up to the President's words, we're planning to gather together to reconnect, celebrate, and remember that moment, last year, when we won a historic victory. So this week, we're holding reunion events across the country for folks who were involved in the campaign. Can you go to one near you? Our current fight for real health insurance reform is just as important as last year's campaign. But we did a special thing together, and sometimes it's important to stop and reflect on that. I hope you can join us: http://my.barackobama.com/ReunionAttend My best, Jeremy Jeremy Bird Deputy Director Organizing for America
One year ago today, we were in the homestretch of the Obama for America campaign. I had been organizing on the ground in Ohio for months, with hundreds of incredible -- and exhausted -- staff, and thousands and thousands of amazing volunteers. We were hopeful, but we didn't take anything for granted. As we watched the victorious results of your hard work come in -- state-by-state, county-by-county, precinct-by-precinct -- we were completely elated. I'm sure you felt the same way. But that work wasn't finished, and it still isn't. That night, President-Elect Obama told us that the election victory was only the beginning of the change we all sought -- and today, through Organizing for America, we're fighting just as hard to make health insurance reform a reality, this year. But while we seek to live up to the President's words, we're planning to gather together to reconnect, celebrate, and remember that moment, last year, when we won a historic victory. So this week, we're holding reunion events across the country for folks who were involved in the campaign. Can you go to one near you?
Our current fight for real health insurance reform is just as important as last year's campaign. But we did a special thing together, and sometimes it's important to stop and reflect on that. I hope you can join us: http://my.barackobama.com/ReunionAttend My best, Jeremy Jeremy Bird Deputy Director Organizing for America
New Media Director Natalie Foster just sent out the following email, announcing the top 20 finalists -- as well as the opening of public voting -- for the Health Reform Video Challenge:
We just finished going through the submissions to OFA's Health Reform Video Challenge, and they're great. There are personal stories that grab your heart, brilliant summaries of what reform would really mean, and plenty of biting satire that calls out the insurance lobbyists. Out of nearly a thousand excellent videos submitted, we're down to the top 20. Now it's your turn to watch the finalists and vote for your favorites -- and then we'll air the winner on national television. Watch and vote on the finalists now. The top 20 ads will also be voted on by our panel of experts and artists, including Black Eyed Peas frontman will.i.am, animator and director Seth MacFarlane, actress Kate Walsh, Obama for America campaign manager David Plouffe, and Democratic National Committee Chairman Tim Kaine. It couldn't be more urgent for us to get these funny, powerful, and eye-opening messages out to the public. As the full Congress begins its final debate on reform, airing the winning video as an ad on national television could help tip the balance toward enacting the changes they've been talking about for years in Washington. Polls close at midnight on Friday, November 6th, so don't waste a minute: Watch the finalists and vote for your favorites right away. Thanks, and go get started, Natalie Natalie Foster New Media Director P.S. -- Help spread the word: After you vote, make sure you send this on to friends and family so they can check out the finalists. http://my.barackobama.com/VideoChallenge
We just finished going through the submissions to OFA's Health Reform Video Challenge, and they're great. There are personal stories that grab your heart, brilliant summaries of what reform would really mean, and plenty of biting satire that calls out the insurance lobbyists. Out of nearly a thousand excellent videos submitted, we're down to the top 20. Now it's your turn to watch the finalists and vote for your favorites -- and then we'll air the winner on national television. Watch and vote on the finalists now.
The top 20 ads will also be voted on by our panel of experts and artists, including Black Eyed Peas frontman will.i.am, animator and director Seth MacFarlane, actress Kate Walsh, Obama for America campaign manager David Plouffe, and Democratic National Committee Chairman Tim Kaine. It couldn't be more urgent for us to get these funny, powerful, and eye-opening messages out to the public. As the full Congress begins its final debate on reform, airing the winning video as an ad on national television could help tip the balance toward enacting the changes they've been talking about for years in Washington. Polls close at midnight on Friday, November 6th, so don't waste a minute: Watch the finalists and vote for your favorites right away.
Thanks, and go get started, Natalie Natalie Foster New Media Director P.S. -- Help spread the word: After you vote, make sure you send this on to friends and family so they can check out the finalists. http://my.barackobama.com/VideoChallenge
Earlier today, Senator Majority Leader Harry Reid announced his intention to include a government-run insurance plan with an “opt out” provision in the Senate version of health care legislation. The New York Times reported:
“I’ve concluded, with the support of the White House, Senators Dodd and Baucus, that the best way to move forward is to include a public option with the opt-out provision for states,” Mr. Reid said at a news conference.“Under this concept, states will be able to determine whether the public option works well for them and will have the ability to opt out if they so choose. I believe that a public option can achieve the goal of bringing meaningful reform to our broken system.”
Shorty after Senator Reid's announcment, the White House released the following statement in support of the work that Congressional leaders have done so far:
“The President congratulates Senator Reid and Chairmen Baucus and Dodd for their hard work on health insurance reform. Thanks to their efforts, we’re closer than we’ve ever been to solving this decades-old problem. And while much work remains, the President is pleased that at the progress that Congress has made. He’s also pleased that the Senate has decided to include a public option for health coverage, in this case with an allowance for states to opt out. As he said to Congress and the nation in September, he supports the public option because it has the potential to play an essential role in holding insurance companies accountable through choice and competition.”
On Thursday, Vice President Biden called out the insurance industry's escalating war on health reform in a special message to OFA, and asked for your help in fighting back. Sure enough, the insurance industry is already stepping up the attack: Reports just leaked from a closed-door meeting where insurance industry lobbyists frantically warned Republican members of Congress that it was not in their interest to "ever vote for this thing" and said supporting reform is like "giving comfort to the enemy." USA Today is reporting that groups opposing reform are lobbying at "a record pace" -- and the Associated Press notes that they've already spent an astounding $32 million on TV ads this year. This is what we're up against. President Obama, Vice President Biden, and all of us together through OFA are fighting back -- but success depends on having the resources to win. Can you chip in $25 or more today to power our campaign? In this fight, the insurance industry has their war chest and insider lobbyists. We have you. I know who I'm betting on. Let's win this thing. Mitch Mitch Stewart Director Organizing for America
