29 | July | 2010 | Be a Seed for Change

They just couldn’t help themselves.

Yesterday, 40 Republican senators blocked the passage of legislation that would counteract the growing influence of corporations in the wake of the Citizens United Supreme Court decision.

The DISCLOSE Act would have helped shed light on the hundreds of millions of dollars corporations and special interests plan to spend to influence our elections this fall — and would have helped ordinary Americans to make their voices more clearly heard in campaigns across the country.

Republicans believe that killing the bill and strengthening corporate power gives them a tactical edge, allowing right-wing groups to raise more than ever to help their candidates win.

It’s a stark reminder, both of what we’re up against in November and the reason we all need to fight so hard to elect Democrats. Now more than ever, we need people like you on sidewalks and doorsteps, talking to your friends and neighbors about what meaningful reforms like these would mean in their lives — and why it’s so vital that they make their voices heard this fall.

Sign up now to volunteer for our Vote 2010 efforts and help fight the Republican special-interest agenda.

Despite the fact that 80 percent of Americans disagreed with the Citizens United decision — which eliminated limits on corporate spending in political campaigns — obstructionist Republicans have sided with the special interests yet again. But that doesn’t mean we can’t hold them accountable for it.

Republicans believe the support of the big corporations and the special interests is all they need, but we have a different approach. We’re building a new Democratic Party — one driven by the opinions and support of Americans around the country and focused on grassroots organizing.

That’s something Republicans just don’t have: supporters like you.

The obstruction of bills like DISCLOSE affects every voter in the country — and we’re all in this together. We need your help on the ground now, helping to make the case to friends and neighbors about the importance of their vote in November’s elections. Please sign up to volunteer today:

http://my.democrats.org/DISCLOSEVolunteer

Thanks,

Jen

Jen O’Malley Dillon
Executive Director
Democratic National Committee

$200 million.

That’s what Republican-aligned special interests have pledged to spend on the 2010 election. Just to put that in context, that’s nearly $40 million more than every interest group spent on the 2008 presidential election — combined.

When our administration and this movement decided to take on the special interests, we knew we were making a choice. And the consequences are clear. These groups have fought us at every turn in our struggle for change, and now they’re trying to drown out our voices — and our accomplishments — with their campaign cash this fall.

We’re not going to sit back and let that happen. Today, Organizing for America is announcing the By the People Fund with the goal of getting 3 million citizen donations to fuel our grassroots campaign for the upcoming election.

Can you donate $25 today and help us take back this election from the corporate interests?

With our By the People Fund, we’re going to make a statement this fall — strengthening our grassroots efforts on the ground, focusing on getting first-time voters from 2008 back to the polls this year, and holding the Republicans and their special-interest allies accountable.

We’ve all gone to the mat with these folks time and again — ever since Barack and I took office. And, from the Recovery Act to historic health reform to Wall Street reform, you helped prove we could win those fights.

Now these groups have one goal in mind when it comes to November 2nd — erasing the progress we’ve made together.

By spending an unprecedented amount of cash to support Republicans, they’re doing their best to buy their way back into power. And, if they do, they’ve been clear that they will do everything they can to undo the historic achievements we’ve fought so hard to win.

It’s no wonder that each and every Republican in the Senate on Tuesday voted to allow these special interests to have a greater say in our elections. Their vote will allow these groups to spend millions on campaign ads — and not have to reveal who’s actually behind them.

I’ve been in politics a long time. I’m used to seeing the good guys outspent by interest groups. But we’ve never been outnumbered — and we’ve never been outhustled.

I’m asking you to make sure it stays that way. Will you chip in and help us grow our By the People Fund?

Please donate $25 or more today:

https://donate.barackobama.com/ByThePeople

Thank you,

Vice President Joe Biden