New polls: Obama's losing

Scary news: Romney is actually ahead in a whole series of recent national polls. And right-wing Super PACs will give him a huge additional advantage. But MoveOn is pioneering a way to use social media to reach as many people as a Super PAC TV ad campaign at a fraction of the cost. Can you chip in now? Chip in $5

Dear MoveOn member,

Think Obama's a shoo-in? 

Think again. Romney is ahead in a whole series of recent polls.¹ And super PACs are poised to spend huge amounts of money to sway the race—just like they did yesterday in Wisconsin.

The good news is that in this election the Internet is giving us whole new ways to fight back at a fraction of the cost of a traditional ad campaign—and we're miles ahead of the right-wing Super PACs figuring out how to take advantage.

You see, today a single YouTube video can get more attention than a big-budget TV campaign. And people are far more likely to be persuaded by something shared by a friend than what they see on TV.

That's where we come in. With a tiny social media team of just four staff and a few interns, MoveOn.org has figured out how to disseminate powerful messages to millions of people through social media. For instance, just one video we publicized on gay marriage alone reached more than 21 million people. To reach this many eyeballs with TV ads, it could cost almost a million dollars.³

Here's the kicker: We only need to raise $200,000 to fund this entire project for the next few critical months.

Can you chip in $5 to help counter the Super PACs using social media?

In 8 out of 16 national polls released over the last month, Romney is ahead.⁴ Anyone who says Obama's a shoo-in just isn't paying attention. But social media is giving us new ways to fight back—and MoveOn.org is on the cutting edge. 

Research shows that more and more voters are getting news through social media like Facebook and Twitter.⁵ That's especially true of those under-30 voters.

We've spent a year working on the computer software and online tools that let us reach these viewers. Our high-tech platform supports a talented team of volunteer and staff editors who scour the Web for the highest impact progressive videos and graphics. When news breaks, they're ready to toss a wrench into the conservative spin machine.

But we need to scale up even more. Fox News reaches more than 2 million people per day. We can match that—we need to match that. We need to reach further into Facebook and other social media realms like Twitter, Digg, Reddit, and Pinterest, where hundreds of millions of Americans are spending huge chunks of time. The war of ideas is happening in short, 8 to 24 hour news cycles on the web, and we're ramping up to be right on the front lines.

Chip in $5 to help counter the Super PACs using social media.

Sometimes, all we need to counter the right's agenda is the right picture at the right moment. When Republicans in Congress convened a panel on birth control, but didn't bother to invite any women, that image of five middle-aged men said it all. Thousands instantly shared it on Facebook.

Other times, it's a gripping personal story that changes minds. When there was controversy about the Susan G. Komen Foundation, we featured a video by a gutsy breast cancer survivor named Linda, who had some no-nonsense words for the people who had let her down. More than 383,000 watched, as we and our allies mobilized phone calls and grassroots pressure—and Komen changed course.

It's an entirely new way of communicating, and MoveOn is proud to be a pioneer. We can't stop those right-wing SuperPACs from buying their old-fashioned TV ads. Yet. But we can beat them by investing in people-power and staying ahead of the curve in online campaigning.

Click here now to chip in $5.

Thanks for all you do.

–Angie, Brandon, Carrie, Linda, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. "General Election: Romney vs. Obama," Real Clear Politics, accessed June 6, 2012
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=276096&id=43097-10220574-SpOVPsx&t=5

2. "Super PACs' Let Strategists Off the Leash," The New York Times, May 20, 2012
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=275923&id=43097-10220574-SpOVPsx&t=6

3. "TV Cost & CPM Trends," Television Bureau of Advertising, accessed May 27, 2012
http://www.tvb.org/trends/4718

4. "General Election: Romney vs. Obama," Real Clear Politics, accessed June 6, 2012
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=276096&id=43097-10220574-SpOVPsx&t=7

5. How Social Media Is Taking Over the News Industry," Mashable, April 28, 2012
http://mashable.com/2012/04/18/social-media-and-the-news/

Want to support our work? MoveOn Civic Action is entirely funded by our 7 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.

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This email was sent to eddie alfaro on June 6, 2012. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

New York: Say no to Super PACs

With at least $1 billion in right-wing Super PAC money being thrown in the presidential election, this is the moment to bring pressure for a public stand. Can you call and ask Governor Andrew Cuomo to publicly support a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United? Here's the number: New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, (518) 474-8390  Report Your Call!

Dear MoveOn member,

$1 billion!

Politico just reported that incredible figure as the amount the oil baron Koch brothers, Karl Rove, and other conservatives are spending to throw dirt at Obama and Democrats this election.¹

It's more than John McCain and Barack Obama spent combined in 2008—and that election shattered records.

The plain truth is we can't compete with that kind of money. Where we can win is with people, to get that big money out of politics for good, through a constitutional amendment.

70% of Americans want to overturn Citizens United, but to get an amendment we need to harness that public pressure to get 3/4 of state legislatures on board too.² And since governors often set the tone for their states, persuading them can really help us get there.

What's the best part? Most politicians, including Governor Andrew Cuomo, haven't taken a stand on this issue—because they haven't been forced to—and so far there hasn't been much public pressure in opposition to an amendment.

So pick up the phone and tell the governor that you and 70% of Americans support a constitutional amendment to get big money out of politics and we expect the same from our governor. Here's the number to call:

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, (518) 474-8390

Then report your call here: http://pol.moveon.org/call/oneoffs/index_1769.html?cp_id=1769&tg=756&id=42923-10220574-jgsW8Ax&t=2

Already, just by picking up the phone, MoveOn members have helped convince more than 100 state legislators around the country to support a constitutional amendment.

That's a great start to our fight, but ending corporate rule over our democracy and putting it back in the hands of the people is going to take a whole lot more. In an election year like this one, we have an opportunity to move legislators who otherwise might not be willing to publicly support a constitutional amendment.

Money in politics isn't just a problem at the national level. Corporations and the 1% use money and its influence to set statewide policies that benefit them through lax regulation and tax breaks that the 99% in New York pay the price for. And Super PAC money is hurting lower-level candidates too, who have no hope of matching the spending of corporations and millionaires.³

If corporate money continues to be treated as free speech, the wealthy will be the only ones who can afford to be heard at all. That's why so many Americans across the political spectrum want to overturn Citizens United, and why MoveOn members are joining in the push to put democracy back in the hands of the people.

Getting state governors on board is an important part of that push, because governors have a huge impact on what happens in their states. And by working at the local and state levels, where our calls often have a greater impact, we can build a grassroots groundswell of support to keep the pressure on Congress.

Can you call to ask Governor Andrew Cuomo for a public stance in favor of an amendment and find out the governor's current position?

Here's where to call:

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, (518) 474-8390

Then report your call here: http://pol.moveon.org/call/oneoffs/index_1769.html?cp_id=1769&tg=756&id=42923-10220574-jgsW8Ax&t=3

Thanks for all you do.

–Robin, Emily, Victoria, Elena, and the rest of the team

 

Sources:

1. "GOP groups plan record $1 billion blitz," Politico, May 30, 2012
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0512/76849.html

2. "Seven in 10 Would Send Super PACs Packing," ABC News, March 13, 2012
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=276056&id=42923-10220574-jgsW8Ax&t=4

3. "From presidential race to House primaries, super PACs having wide impact," MSNBC, May 17, 2012
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=276057&id=42923-10220574-jgsW8Ax&t=5

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 7 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.

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PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on June 4, 2012. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Submit your 99airlines slogan

99airlines is off the ground, and we need ideas for airplane banners to fly over high-profile Mitt Romney events. Rate, submit, and share an idea today. Submit Your Idea

Dear MoveOn member,

We just launched 99airlines, our program to fly airplane banners over high-profile Mitt Romney events with messages from the 99%.

And what's the coolest part? You get to decide what the banners say! If you could fly a message over Mitt Romney's head, what would it be?

Will you suggest a short, pithy, memorable phrase for a 99airlines banner? Or check out and rate other people's ideas?

Click here to submit or vote for a 99airlines banner.

Imagine if Mitt Romney and his Super PAC friends had to deal with the sights and sounds of airplanes following them everywhere, reminding Americans how Romney stands for corporations and the 1%. Reporters at the events will film and write about the banners—it'll drive Romney and his corporate backers crazy.

That's why we're taking it to Romney, exposing him as Mr. 1%. Here's the banner we flew over a Romney fundraiser in Boston last week.

We're ready to fly a whole lot more over his high-profile appearances this summer, including fundraisers and a major event with Latino political leaders.

We need you to submit your ideas today. And the highest-rated, most shared, and most timely messages from the 99% will get flown over Romney's head. So get your ideas online today!

Click here to submit or vote for a 99airlines banner.

MoveOn members stepped up and funded 99airlines as a way to combat the Super PAC ads and corporate money that will flood into this year's election. We're transforming Mitt Romney's 1% fundraising tour into an airborne progressive message machine that will be seen by the people at the events and the media covering them.

They've got millions of dollars, but we've got more people and more creativity than they can muster. If you submit your ideas—-and make sure as many people as possible rate and contribute ideas—99airlines can define Mitt Romney and the people he represents in a visible, memorable way.

Click here to submit or vote for a 99airlines banner.

Thanks for all you do.

–Garlin, Elena, Emily, Victoria, and the rest of the team

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 7 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.

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PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on June 1, 2012. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Re: We might have to pull the plug

Dear MoveOn member,

I'm incredibly encouraged by the strong member response to our email yesterday. If we can finish this quarter with strong fundraising, that will give us confidence to go forward with important election campaigns that we'd otherwise have to cut right now—projects that could determine control of the U.S. Senate or even the White House.

Click here to chip in $5 and help MoveOn take on more campaigns this election season.

Thanks—Adam

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If we can't increase our budget, we might have to dramatically scale back or pull the plug on some of MoveOn's most important election efforts this year—projects that could determine control of the U.S. Senate or even the White House. Can you chip in $5 to make sure that doesn't happen?  Chip in $5

Dear MoveOn member,

With November fast approaching, we need to make some hard decisions about which campaigns we can afford to take on, and which ones we'll have to sit out.

There are so many important races this year. Of course there's the presidential election. But the U.S. Senate is up for grabs, too. There's the Scott Walker recall in Wisconsin. If we can elect Elizabeth Warren in Massachusetts, that will be huge.

It's like picking which of your kids you love the most. I just can't do it.

But I'll be honest—if we can't increase our budget, we're going to have to pull the plug now on some absolutely crucial campaigns.

Can you chip in $5 to help make sure we don't have to sit out some of these critical campaigns?

Click here to chip in $5 and help MoveOn take on more campaigns this election season.

Here are some examples of the important projects we'd love to run in 2012 if we had enough money:

• Young voter turnout. Young voters were crucial to Obama's victory in 2008, but most elections experts say it's unlikely they'll vote again in similar numbers this time around. We learned how to register and turn out young voters last time, and we need to do it again.


• Elect Elizabeth Warren and keep control of the U.S. Senate. Elizabeth Warren is one of the best progressive candidates we've seen in years. When control of the Senate could be decided on her race, how could we not help her win?


• Fighting voter suppression. Republicans have passed a wave of laws aimed at making it harder to vote for African Americans, students, and poor people. If turnout goes down by even a couple percentage points among these key voting blocs, that could be disastrous. 

MoveOn will do a little bit on all of these projects, but will we be able to go big? That's mostly a question of resources. If we have enough money, we will. If not, we simply can't.

Click here now to chip in $5.

MoveOn has an incredible track record in past elections—when we take on a campaign, we get results.

In 2008, MoveOn was one of the first groups to endorse President Obama, and we then recruited 1 million volunteers who went door to door, made phone calls, and helped provide the surge of grassroots support necessary to elect Obama.

In 2006, before anyone else was even talking about it, we announced plans to take back Congress from the Republicans. We made over 7 million phone calls to occasional voters to help fuel the Democratic takeover of Congress.

And in 2004 we organized a neighborhood get-out-the-vote program that knocked on over 4.6 million doors in 10,000 swing-state precincts.

If we can finish this quarter with a bang, that will give us enough confidence to go forward with campaigns that we'd otherwise have to cut right now. 

Click here to chip in $5 and help MoveOn take on more campaigns this election season.

Thanks for all you do.

–Adam R., Elena, Victoria, Emily, and the rest of the team

 

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PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on May 31, 2012. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

We might have to pull the plug

If we can't increase our budget, we might have to dramatically scale back or pull the plug on some of MoveOn's most important election efforts this year—projects that could determine control of the U.S. Senate or even the White House. Can you chip in $5 to make sure that doesn't happen?  Chip in $5

Dear MoveOn member,

With November fast approaching, we need to make some hard decisions about which campaigns we can afford to take on, and which ones we'll have to sit out.

There are so many important races this year. Of course there's the presidential election. But the U.S. Senate is up for grabs, too. There's the Scott Walker recall in Wisconsin. If we can elect Elizabeth Warren in Massachusetts, that will be huge.

It's like picking which of your kids you love the most. I just can't do it.

But I'll be honest—if we can't increase our budget, we're going to have to pull the plug now on some absolutely crucial campaigns.

Can you chip in $5 to help make sure we don't have to sit out some of these critical campaigns?

Click here to chip in $5 and help MoveOn take on more campaigns this election season.

Here are some examples of the important projects we'd love to run in 2012 if we had enough money:

• Young voter turnout. Young voters were crucial to Obama's victory in 2008, but most elections experts say it's unlikely they'll vote again in similar numbers this time around. We learned how to register and turn out young voters last time, and we need to do it again.


• Elect Elizabeth Warren and keep control of the U.S. Senate. Elizabeth Warren is one of the best progressive candidates we've seen in years. When control of the Senate could be decided on her race, how could we not help her win?


• Fighting voter suppression. Republicans have passed a wave of laws aimed at making it harder to vote for African Americans, students, and poor people. If turnout goes down by even a couple percentage points among these key voting blocs, that could be disastrous. 

MoveOn will do a little bit on all of these projects, but will we be able to go big? That's mostly a question of resources. If we have enough money, we will. If not, we simply can't.

Click here now to chip in $5.

MoveOn has an incredible track record in past elections—when we take on a campaign, we get results.

In 2008, MoveOn was one of the first groups to endorse President Obama, and we then recruited 1 million volunteers who went door to door, made phone calls, and helped provide the surge of grassroots support necessary to elect Obama.

In 2006, before anyone else was even talking about it, we announced plans to take back Congress from the Republicans. We made over 7 million phone calls to occasional voters to help fuel the Democratic takeover of Congress.

And in 2004 we organized a neighborhood get-out-the-vote program that knocked on over 4.6 million doors in 10,000 swing-state precincts.

If we can finish this quarter with a bang, that will give us enough confidence to go forward with campaigns that we'd otherwise have to cut right now. 

Click here to chip in $5 and help MoveOn take on more campaigns this election season.

Thanks for all you do.

–Adam R., Elena, Victoria, Emily, and the rest of the team

 

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PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on May 30, 2012. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

[your creative subject line here]

Dear MoveOn member,

We have a small staff of writers. They're good. In fact, they're great. We just love 'em. Unfortunately, despite their experience, political savvy, and undying love of the Oxford comma, there's one thing they just can't be. They can't be all of YOU.

MoveOn is its members, and when the staff write emails, or petitions, or design field actions, the aim is to speak with 7 million voices, rather than for 7 million people. With that in mind, we're launching a new program, called MoveOn Crowdwriting:

http://www.moveon.org/crowdwriting/?id=42490-10220574-cwLQwQx&t=1

Crowdwriting's purpose is to find and elevate great progressive writers. For folks who end up in the program, it'll be a three-week (very part-time) commitment during which you'll have a chance to write content that spurs the MoveOn community to take action. You'll get feedback on your work from MoveOn staffers, and you may get to send an email to our 7 million members.

If you think that's exciting, we'd love to hear from you. Here's the info link again, as well as a link directly to the program application:

Information: http://www.moveon.org/crowdwriting/?id=42490-10220574-cwLQwQx&t=2

Application: http://www.moveon.org/crowdwriting/application.html?id=42490-10220574-cwLQwQx&t=3

Thanks for all you do,

–Nick, Tate, and the rest of the team

PS. Even if you aren't able to apply, if you know of someone who might be interested please pass this message along to them. They don't need to be a current MoveOn member, and we're interested in folks from all backgrounds and places.

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 7 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.

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PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to eddie alfaro on May 29, 2012. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.

Start the next big online petition

Dear MoveOn member,

You know that old saying, "If you don't vote, you can't complain?" Personally, I'd go one step further and say it's not enough to just vote once every two years. People gotta speak out.

That's why MoveOn has built a website called SignOn.org where you can make your voice heard by starting your very own petition—to the mayor of your town, the governor, Congress, or even the President of the United States. SignOn.org is super-easy to use, and we'll even help you build your petition by sending the most popular petitions to other MoveOn members.

So what's the issue that's really bugging you? Don't just complain about it—start a petition. Maybe it's a big corporation in your area that's up to no good. Or an important piece of legislation that's languishing for lack of public attention. Click below to get started:

Click here to start your petition.

Thanks!

–Steven, Stefanie, Manny, Bobby, Christine, and the rest of the team

Want to support our work? MoveOn Civic Action is entirely funded by our 7 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.

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This email was sent to eddie alfaro on May 25, 2012. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.