Blueprint for our future

Jason -- Yesterday, President Obama submitted his first budget to Congress. As the President said, the budget isn't just numbers on a page. It establishes our plans and priorities as we confront some of the longest-standing challenges this country has ever faced. Watch a short video of President Obama introducing his budget and share it with your friends: With this budget, President Obama is asking Washington to do something it rarely does -- look beyond the next election and take the long-term steps to ensure America's future strength and prosperity. It will involve sacrifices and difficult decisions. But it will also boldly invest in the three areas most critical to our economic future: energy, health care, and education. Investing in a clean energy future will put America at the forefront of industry in the 21st century and create the jobs that will form a new foundation for the middle class. Confronting the mounting cost of health care will put America back on a solid foundation so businesses can thrive and families can prosper. Reforming and strengthening our education system will ensure American innovation and competitiveness well into the next century. Watch the brief video now: http://my.barackobama.com/thebudget This budget isn't just a reflection of President Obama's priorities. It's a reflection of yours. This is the change you worked for and Americans demanded. But to make sure it succeeds, the President will need your help. In the coming weeks, we'll be asking you to talk directly to people in your community, to build momentum and demonstrate the broad support President Obama has for this new direction. Thank you for your continued commitment, David David Plouffe Campaign Manager Obama for America

My address to Congress

Jason --

Last night, I addressed a joint session of Congress for the first time.

To confront the serious economic challenges our nation faces, I called for a new era of responsibility and cooperation. We need to look beyond short term political calculations and make vital investments in health care, energy, and education that will make America stronger and more prosperous well into the future.

Watch a few highlights from my address and share it with your friends now:

A little more than a month into my administration, we've already taken bold steps to address our urgent economic problems.

Through the Recovery Act, the Stability Plan, and the Housing Plan, we're taking the immediate necessary measures to halt our economic downturn and provide much-needed assistance to working people and their families.

But to set our country on a new course of stability and prosperity, we must reject the old ways of doing business in Washington. We can no longer tolerate fiscal deficits and runaway spending while deferring the consequences to future generations.

That's why I pledged last night to cut our deficit in half by the end of my term. Achieving that goal will require making sacrifices and hard decisions, as well as an honest budgeting process that is straight with taxpayers about where their dollars are going.

Watch some key moments from my address now:

http://my.barackobama.com/presidentialaddress

Central to this plan will be a renewed commitment to honesty and transparency in government. Restoring our country's economic health will only happen when ordinary citizens are given the opportunity to hold their representatives fully accountable for the decisions they make.

I look forward to continuing to work with you as we bring about the change you made possible.

Thank you,

President Barack Obama

A big first step -- thank you

Jason --

Today, I signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act into law.

This is a historic step -- the first of many as we work together to climb out of this crisis -- and I want to thank you for your resolve and your support.

You organized thousands of house meetings. You shared your ideas and personal stories. And you informed your friends and neighbors about the need for immediate action. You continue to be a powerful voice for change throughout the country.

The recovery plan will create or save 3.5 million jobs, provide tax cuts for working and middle-class families, and invest in health care and clean energy.

It's a bold plan to address a huge problem, and it will require my vigilance and yours to make sure it's done right.

I've assigned a team of managers to oversee the implementation of the recovery act. We are committed to making sure no dollar is wasted. But accountability begins with you.

That's why my administration has created Recovery.gov, a new website where citizens can track every dollar spent and every job created. We'll invite you and your neighbors to weigh in with comments and questions.

Our progress will also be measured by the tens of thousands of personal stories submitted by people who are struggling to make ends meet. If you haven't already, you can read stories from families all across the country:

http://my.barackobama.com/yourstories

Your stories are the heart of this recovery plan, and that's what I'll focus on every day as President.

With your continued support, we'll emerge a stronger and more prosperous nation.

Thank you,

President Barack Obama

Update: Recovery bill and your stories

Jason --

Congress is preparing to vote on a final Economic Recovery bill.

President Obama is urging action in Washington because families across the country need help right now.

In the past week, thousands of you came together at house meetings to talk about how the economic crisis is affecting your communities. And thousands more shared your personal stories on our website.

Your voices were heard. Help is on the way.

Take a few minutes and read some of the stories your fellow Americans shared.

These stories are the face of the economic crisis, and they will be the focus of our recovery. Here are a few excerpts from the tens of thousands of stories people like you shared:

"As of a week ago, our family has joined the ranks of the unemployed and thus uninsured. We have two children, a 6 year old and a 10 month old. With my part time jobs and unemployment, we should be able to keep the roof over our heads, at least one car in the driveway and food in our stomachs for a few months. The state of our health insurance is what truly scares us."
Nichole H., Columbus, OH

"I live in a small rural community in central Minnesota and have run my own small business for 32 years here. These last 8 years have been a slow steady decline economically. This has caused me to continually find ways to tighten my budget. Our small towns are really struggling with infrastructure and loss of businesses to attract and hold workers in their communities."
Judy T., Motley, MN

"I am a teacher in Florida where we are 50th in the country in spending per student. I feel this generation of students is being cheated out of a quality education. I'm fortunate that I have a job. But our education system is failing our children. There are so many areas of education that are suffering because of massive budget cuts. The bottom line is: as the United States of America we can do better for our children."
Betty Jo A., Deltona, FL

Read more from Nichole, Judy, Betty Jo, and others who shared their economic crisis stories:

http://my.barackobama.com/yourstories

Ordinary people are telling the real story of the struggles and pressures families are facing right now. They drive home the importance of this recovery plan and the need to put it into action immediately.

The President's economic recovery plan is an important first step in getting our country back on track. But recovering from this downturn will require the faith, confidence, and hard work of all Americans.

Thank you for staying involved during this critical time for our country,

David

David Plouffe
Campaign Manager
Obama for America

VIDEO: President's first prime time press conference

Jason --

Last night, President Obama gave his first-ever prime time press conference to call for immediate action on his economic recovery plan.

Today, the Senate voted to pass the President's plan. But there's another round of voting in both houses of Congress before the president can sign it into law.

Make sure that your voice is heard in this process.

Watch the video and share your economic crisis story. If you've already shared your story, talk to a friend, neighbor, or family member and record their story.

http://my.barackobama.com/recoveryconference

Thank you,

Mitch

Mitch Stewart
Director
Organizing for America

Your Economic Crisis Story

Jason -- Americans have organized Economic Recovery House Meetings in all 50 states -- including 382 in California, 255 in Florida, 115 in Ohio, 199 in New York, 105 in Washington, and 149 in Texas. That's more than 3,587 meetings in 1,579 cities and 429 congressional districts. This past weekend, meeting hosts and guests watched a video of Governor Tim Kaine answering your questions about the president's recovery plan. Then they shared their own stories about how the crisis has affected them. Watch Governor Kaine's video and share your economic crisis story. The media is filled with numbers about the economic crisis. But the numbers do not tell the full story. The story of this crisis is in homes across the country -- homes where a family member has lost a job, where parents are struggling to pay a mortgage, and where college tuition has slipped out of reach. That's also where the story of our recovery begins -- in communities where repairing roads and bridges, manufacturing green technologies, and rehabilitating our schools and hospitals will directly impact the lives of ordinary people and their families. President Obama's recovery plan will help struggling families right now by saving or creating up to 4 million jobs. But it will also help strengthen our economy for the future by investing in crucial infrastructure projects in health care, education, and energy. Share your story about how this economic crisis is affecting you and your family and join your fellow Americans in supporting bold action to speed our recovery: http://my.barackobama.com/sharestories Thank you for organizing so much support at this crucial moment for our country, Mitch Mitch Stewart Director Organizing for America

Urgent message from President Obama

Jason -- President Obama recorded a video to speak directly to you about his economic recovery plan. America is facing an urgent and unprecedented challenge. The economic crisis requires bold and immediate action. Watch President Obama's video and share it with your friends and family: http://my.barackobama.com/recoveryvideo Thank you, David David Plouffe Campaign Manager Obama for America

Paid for by Organizing for America, a project of the Democratic National Committee -- 430 South Capitol Street SE, Washington, D.C. 20003. This communication is not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to: jasonbugg@gmail.com To unsubscribe, go to: http://my.barackobama.com/unsubscribe

Continuing to sell the Stimulus Pakcage.

Here's the latest email.

Jason -- Last night, President Obama recorded a series of national network and cable news interviews about the urgent need for an economic recovery plan. Watch the video and share it with your friends and family: President Obama discussed why we need an immediate effort to create millions of jobs while investing in long-term challenges like energy and health care. He called for swift investment in job creation while continuing to assist those who are out of work, without health insurance, or in danger of losing their homes. The Economic Recovery plan passed the House of Representatives, and the Senate is preparing to vote on it very soon. The final version can and will be improved. But the President's core plan will positively affect families and communities all across the country. You can help make sure the American people have all the facts so they can support this crucial effort to boost our struggling economy. The President is leading. Help is on the way. Lend your voice by sharing this video with everyone you know. Then sign up to join thousands of people across the country who are organizing Economic Recovery House Meetings this weekend: http://my.barackobama.com/recoveryplan Thank you for staying involved, David David Plouffe Campaign Manager Obama for America

For the record, I'm for the stimulus.

Selling the Recovery Bill

Here's the latest email update from the White House.

The economic crisis is growing more serious every day, and the time for action has come.

Last week, the House of Representatives passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which will jumpstart our economy and put more than 3 million people back to work.

I hope to sign the recovery plan into law in the next few weeks. But I need your help to spread the word and build support.

It's not enough for this bill to simply pass Congress. Americans need to know how it will affect their lives -- they need to know that help is on the way and that this administration is investing in economic growth and stability.

Governor Tim Kaine has agreed to record a video outlining the recovery plan and answering questions about what it means for your community. You can submit your questions online and then invite your friends, family, and neighbors to watch the video with you at an Economic Recovery House Meeting.

Join thousands of people across the country by hosting or attending an Economic Recovery House Meeting this weekend.

The stakes are too high to allow partisan politics to get in the way.

That's why I've consulted with Republicans as well as Democrats to put together a plan that will address the crisis we face.

I've also taken steps to ensure an unprecedented level of transparency and accountability. Once it's passed, you will be able to see how every penny in this plan is being spent.

You can help restore confidence in our economy by making sure your friends, family, and neighbors understand how the recovery plan will impact your community.

Sign up to host or attend an Economic Recovery House Meeting and submit your question for the video now:

http://my.barackobama.com/recovery

Our ability to come together as a nation in difficult times has never been more important.

I know I can rely on your spirit and resolve as we lead our country to recovery.

Thank you,

President Barack Obama

P.S. -- If you can't host or attend an Economic Recovery House Meeting, you can still submit your questions for Governor Kaine and then share the video with your friends and family this weekend. Learn more here:

http://my.barackobama.com/recovery

Don't get me wrong for saying this, I'm with the President about 90% of the time, but this is just what some people are worried about. Sending text messages and emails to supporters that he might not make on the records. There's nothing nefarious about this email or any other to date, but could you imagine the hubbub if the Bush White House had sent out texts and emails to their campaign contributors and followers? The left would be going bonzo gonzo right now.