This is why

Jason --

Last year, millions of Americans came together for a great purpose.

Folks like you assembled a grassroots movement that shocked the political establishment and changed the course of our nation. When Washington insiders counted us out, we put it all on the line and changed our democracy from the bottom up. But that's not why we did it.

The pundits told us it was impossible -- that the donations working people could afford and the hours volunteers could give would never loosen the vise grip of big money and powerful special interests. We proved them wrong. But as important as that was, that's not why we did it.

Today, spiraling health care costs are pushing our families and businesses to the brink of ruin, while millions of Americans go without the care they desperately need. Fixing this broken system will be enormously difficult. But we can succeed. The chance to make fundamental change like this in people's daily lives -- that is why we did it.

The campaign to pass real health care reform in 2009 is the biggest test of our movement since the election. Once again, victory is far from certain. Our opposition will be fierce, and they have been down this road before. To prevail, we must once more build a coast-to-coast operation ready to knock on doors, deploy volunteers, get out the facts, and show the world how real change happens in America.

And just like before, I cannot do it without your support.

So I'm asking you to remember all that you gave over the last two years to get us here -- all the time, resources, and faith you invested as a down payment to earn us our place at this crossroads in history. All that you've done has led up to this -- and whether or not our country takes the next crucial step depends on what you do right now.

Please donate whatever you can afford to support the campaign for real health care reform in 2009.

It doesn't matter how much you can give, as long as you give what you can. Millions of families on the brink are counting on us to do just that. I know we can deliver.

Thank you, so much, for getting us this far. And thank you for standing up once again to take us the rest of the way.

Sincerely,

President Barack Obama

"I have President Obama on the line"

Jason -- "If we don't get it done this year, we're not going to get it done." That's how President Obama -- briefing leading Organizing for America volunteers in our health care effort -- described our fight to pass real health care reform in 2009. Then, yesterday, the President took the next step by writing congressional leaders to re-emphasize his principles for real health care reform, including his commitment to creating a public insurance option available to all. Now it's up to us to show massive public support for the President's call -- and we have to move quickly. Can you add your name today? Declare your support for the President's health care reform principles. You can also listen to the President's call with leading Organizing for America volunteers. It was an incredible moment, and I'd like you to be a part of it. This signature drive is so urgent because Congress is working as we speak to hammer out the details for health care reform. What comes out of this process will make or break our one shot at real reform. Washington is swarming with insider lobbyists, and we have to show that regular people in every state and every district are paying attention. So please add your name to show you support President Obama's call that any final reform plan must reduce costs, guarantee choice -- including the choice of a public insurance option -- and ensure quality health care for every American. http://my.barackobama.com/ObamaCall President Obama put it best on the call: "This is our big chance," he said, "to prove that the movement that started during the campaign isn't over -- we're just getting started." And that's exactly what we're going to do. Thank you for standing with us again, David Plouffe Organizing for America P.S. -- Please forward this note around to friends and family who want to listen to the President's briefing from Air Force One and then add their voice to our campaign. This is going to take all of us.