Video: Organizing for America’s training program
posted at 12:52 pm on March 23, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
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I’ve been mulling over this latest entry from Naked Emperor News since yesterday afternoon, when I first saw it. On one hand, organizing for political change is perfectly fine, and I suppose training videos to make organizing more successful make sense. On the other hand, organizing a door-to-door campaign to support a political leader already elected to office seems to tip over into that cult-of-personality territory, to which Organizing for America seems oblivious:
From a purely pragmatic point of view, the OFA effort makes sense as a means of collecting addresses for later political campaigns. Think of it as a more-organized successor to the VP selection text messaging Team Obama used in August 2008.
But the mission here seems very, very strange, and not in line with traditional politicking at all. The creepy, ubiquitous Obama logo on their material gives the game away. They’re not supporting the economic policies, which by the way have yet to be fully explained. How can they encourage people to support Obama’s economic policies when even the Obama administration has trouble articulating them and providing details? And even if they could, the omnibus budget bill and Porkulus have already passed Congress and been signed into law. So why do they need a door-to-door campaign?
The policies don’t need the door-to-door campaign; Obama does. They’re pushing their Obama fetish, not grassroots policy change. And that’s very, very creepy.
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“Well, howdy there, young fella. Come on in. I was just cleaning my guns…”
Wethal on March 23, 2009 at 1:37 PM
Between this and Geither’s zombie banks, what we’re seeing is the complete Zombification of America.
econavenger on March 23, 2009 at 1:38 PM
Do the Obama people just not realize how disturbing this is?
I mean, Rahm is creepy, but he is smart. Wouldn’t he speak up and say, “Hey, right now, with all the socialism talk, maybe isn’t the time to send Obama supporters door to door. You know, sort of brown shirt’ish.”
myrenovations on March 23, 2009 at 1:38 PM
My husband and I have a very un-PC term to label the kids in that video of “obama’s dancing youth brigade”… but I so can’t say it on this blog.
ErinF on March 23, 2009 at 1:38 PM
Or maybe “get off my lawn”.
mr.blacksheep on March 23, 2009 at 1:39 PM
Mircat,
I was thinking the same thing. That is a brown shirt.
These people sure as hell know nothing of history, diplomacy, or even how to manage the government. It’s gonna be a long 3 years 10 months.
bossk92 on March 23, 2009 at 1:39 PM
OFA? Pronounced “ofay”, perhaps?
mojo on March 23, 2009 at 1:39 PM
Show up at the door in a blood-spattered leather apron and a hockey mask but be incredibly polite.
Bishop on March 23, 2009 at 1:40 PM
I pledge allegiance to the Obama
Of the Democrat Chicago machine
And to the corruption
From which he profits
One Teleprompter
Under pressure
Indistinguishable
With tyranny and oppression of all
Laura in Maryland on March 23, 2009 at 1:40 PM
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation UNDER GOD, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.
GISAP on March 23, 2009 at 1:40 PM
You know, if they really are mainly just looking for something bigger than themselves to be a part of, that response might be more appropriate than you think.
kc8ukw on March 23, 2009 at 1:41 PM
Throw ‘em a splitter. Tell them you can’t get involved because Barry has gone back on his cap and trade promise and hasn’t withdrawn all trroops from iraq to be reinserted into Darfur under U.N. command, plus he’s going to allow rendition of captured terrorists to other countries. He’s lost your support because he abandoned the hard left.
a capella on March 23, 2009 at 1:41 PM
I’m not afraid of these people…I just find it interesting to have a glimpse into what they’re thinking.
That better have been a joke that just looks bad in print.
capitalist piglet on March 23, 2009 at 1:42 PM
They will go to lefty colleges where they’ll get three credits of Independent Study for it. I think there was a college (UMass?) that was going to give IS for Obama campaigning last fall, but had to drop it when it became public. This new campaign, however, isn’t “political.”
Wethal on March 23, 2009 at 1:42 PM
Birmingham News. It’s legit, but unless this moron DeHaven is hanging out in downtown B’ham with the bros, I wouldn’t want to be within 20 or 30 feet of him, just in case. That sort of talk doesn’t go over well in Alabama. And from his facebook picture, DeHaven is in no shape to be fighting anyone.
AubieJon on March 23, 2009 at 1:42 PM
Oh please please please come to my home so I can explain exactly went wrong in your life, why your parents should have taught you better, why you should have listened more in school, why you should have never joined a radical political movement and why you should have challenged your left leaning professors in college, and why you should have a real job that pays real wages that you would like to keep so that you too could be a productive member of society instead of a drone for a puppet government.
Oh yeah, and I will explain exactly why we need a second amendment in the United States when I show them the fastest way to exit my property.
HornetSting on March 23, 2009 at 1:42 PM
Show up at the door in a blood-spattered leather apron and a hockey mask but be incredibly polite.
Bishop on March 23, 2009 at 1:40 PM
LOL
now to clean the coffee off my monitor……………….
Thanks.
Old Hippie Vet on March 23, 2009 at 1:43 PM
Licking my chops in anticipation. Bring it.
sandspur on March 23, 2009 at 1:43 PM
Tell them you don’t live there and that you were just robbing the place. Asking them for all their money is optional.
jmarcure on March 23, 2009 at 1:43 PM
+ 1,000,000,000,000
capitalist piglet on March 23, 2009 at 1:43 PM
I don’t remember any of us fascist authoritarians going out on Whitehouse direction to knock on doors to get fellow citizens to sign loyalty oaths.
eh on March 23, 2009 at 1:43 PM
Or another good tactic is one I sometimes use on unsolicited phone callers when I’ve been off my meds for a while: engage them in a pointless, circular, interminable conversation (you know, like a liberal) that keeps them on the hook by occasionally sounding like you’re “coming around”. If you have the time, see if you can keep them busy for a couple of hours. Your neighbors will be grateful, and the ‘tards won’t have anything to “celebrate” before going on to their no-data entry.
mr.blacksheep on March 23, 2009 at 1:45 PM
\\
That’s the problem – they have been listening all too well in school. The public schools are the breeding grounds for this. I bet you they are all A students.
keep the change on March 23, 2009 at 1:45 PM
…you’re just in time for dinner, I’ve got some faeve beans and a bottle of chianti.
Laura in Maryland on March 23, 2009 at 1:46 PM
That’s awesome. You should email that to the Teleprompter’s blog site. They may make it their official mission statement.
ErinF on March 23, 2009 at 1:46 PM
I want to meet these people, and either discourage or effing scare them.
thebrokenrattle on March 23, 2009 at 1:49 PM
Oh please please please come to my front door! Krl
krl on March 23, 2009 at 1:49 PM
Storm out the front door after they knock and scream, “CAN’T A GUY JUST EAT HIS FU**ING WAFFLE?????”
Bishop on March 23, 2009 at 1:50 PM
S/B fava beans… stupid preview button. *snarl*
Laura in Maryland on March 23, 2009 at 1:51 PM
The Obama Administration: Putting the CULT back into Cult of Personality.
VoxRobotica on March 23, 2009 at 1:53 PM
As they’re talking to you, look them up and down as if appraising a side of beef, then squeeze their arm and say, “You’re kinda scrawny…but I suppose you’ll do, why don’t you come in the house?”
The possibilities are endless.
Bishop on March 23, 2009 at 1:54 PM
That can be a lot of fun. I successfully convinced one caller my wife had just run off and cleaned me out financially, and hit him up for a loan. Another approach only works on female callers, but immediately ask them what they are wearing. They become remarkedly stand offish and hurried in their sales pitch. Obviously, there can be variations on the theme, but subtle is the most entertaining.
a capella on March 23, 2009 at 1:55 PM
Get over here and clean the Pepsi off my computer.
Knucklehead on March 23, 2009 at 1:55 PM
mmmmmm…freerange and steroid free!
Laura in Maryland on March 23, 2009 at 1:56 PM
None of these topics has anything to do with the current mess.
Just ask the question and shut them down immediately.
drjohn on March 23, 2009 at 1:56 PM
And if you don’t support them, ACORN will pay you a visit.
drjohn on March 23, 2009 at 1:57 PM
I once had somebody call me to try to sell me a timeshare. I told them I was going to jail for 35 years for rape and murder. She actually asked me if I would have time to come to the presentation before I went in, and maybe I would want to use it when I got out!
mr.blacksheep on March 23, 2009 at 1:58 PM
Some of these guys were outside of my place of work last week asking people as they walked toward the entrance to my building “Do you have a minute for Obama?” I just laughed in their faces and kept on walking. There were a lot of other chortles and snickers and I didn’t see one person actually stop and give a minute of their time “for Obama”, which is funny because a large majority of people where I work are democrats – around 65% I’d say.
t.ferg on March 23, 2009 at 1:58 PM
Not if you tell them Obama isn’t far enough to the fringe left. Sow confusion in the ranks.
a capella on March 23, 2009 at 2:00 PM
dont worry my little obamanuts my dogs dont bite , But I do .
Mojack420 on March 23, 2009 at 2:00 PM
Let them start their spiel. A couple of minutes in, look at them very seriouly and say,
Then slowly smile. They’ll leave.
kingsjester on March 23, 2009 at 2:01 PM
seriouly=seriously
kingsjester on March 23, 2009 at 2:01 PM
Excellent.
mr.blacksheep on March 23, 2009 at 2:02 PM
Greenpeace is on the streets in Philly.
“Do you have a minute for the environment?”
“No.”
“Don’t you want to save Earth?”
“Already been saved, kid. Jesus did it.”
And I walk on…
Wethal on March 23, 2009 at 2:02 PM
I’m working right now and have the movie Patton on, listening to it in the background. His opening speech in the movie always gets me fired up (in a good way, of course). I always wonder what he’d think of the current state of affairs of the country he and so many others put their lives on the line for.
ErinF on March 23, 2009 at 2:02 PM
wow acorn will pay me a visit:) guess i really need to take down the “trespassers will be shot, survivors will be shot again “ sign
Mojack420 on March 23, 2009 at 2:02 PM
Ask them whether they’re Bolsheviks or Mensheviks.
Wethal on March 23, 2009 at 2:03 PM
Why wouldn’t that work on guys? What guy doesn’t want to hear another guy say; “Ooooh, is it a while Family Guy T-shirt, that’s so hot! Say it slower and squeal like a Quahog.”
Laura in Maryland on March 23, 2009 at 2:03 PM
Just tell them you misplaced your telepromter and will get back with them later.
Limerick on March 23, 2009 at 2:03 PM
“No, I don’t have a minute. But I have a finger – is that good enough?”
innominatus on March 23, 2009 at 2:04 PM
Oh, I like that. Let’s all throw the Green Party platform at them and send the whole group over the edge.
Me, personally, I’d love to watch President Obama come out in favor of a maximum wage. :)
Snowed In on March 23, 2009 at 2:04 PM
The classic “How to prank a telemarketer”
Wethal on March 23, 2009 at 2:06 PM
“You shouldn’t be here, they’re on to us. You’ll need this.” *hands solicitor tin foil hat* “Now they’ll never know!” *laughs and twitches* “Wait, Come back; you forgot your hat!”
Laura in Maryland on March 23, 2009 at 2:12 PM
Calling it a cult-of-personality downplays the seriousness of the threat. Obamaism is a cult and even more potentially destructive than Jim Jones (his victims only numbered in the dozens). Despair and hopelessness can lead the weak to acts of violence against themselves or others, either by design or coincidence. The last election proved there is no shortage of weak minds in America. Is this part of the plan? Are these his first recruits for his private army? Will they pass his test for genetic superiority?
SKYFOX on March 23, 2009 at 2:12 PM
Q:You know the difference between Jim Jones cult and Obama’s Cult?
A:Obama’s Cult doesn’t use styrofoam cups when they pass out the Kool-Aid. They use bio-degradable paper cups.
portlandon on March 23, 2009 at 2:16 PM
As creepy as this is, Obama already has heretics deserting the ranks – the journalists who are, one by one, finding out that they backed an unqualified Manchurian Candidate.
A cult leader needs to control the media, and when you’ve got the NYTimes opinion writers cirticizing the One, you do have problems. Of course, Brooks was brought back with some re-education by four Obama officials, but others are leaving the plantation. If Timmy doesn’t produce his miracle economic elixer, then it will be a slow slide. Obama may have his kiddie crusade but will it be enough?
Wethal on March 23, 2009 at 2:19 PM
If everyone called on kicked the canvasser in the nuts, this would stop right away.
BL@KBIRD on March 23, 2009 at 2:19 PM
The classic “How to prank a telemarketer”
Wethal on March 23, 2009 at 2:06 PM
LOL Haven’t heard that in a while.
It’s Classic!
Old Hippie Vet on March 23, 2009 at 2:21 PM
tell them you already singed the pledge to TOTUS .
Mojack420 on March 23, 2009 at 2:21 PM
BL@KBIRD on March 23, 2009
Well, that would take the sparkle out of my eyes!
SKYFOX on March 23, 2009 at 2:22 PM
Bishop, you now owe me two monitors…eww toast and butter…mixed with iced tea. Knucklehead, can’t you do something about this bishop….LMAO!
HornetSting on March 23, 2009 at 2:25 PM
and bloggers gave conservatives a hard time when children were at tea parties saying that we “use” our children…..
so damn creepy.
Ricki on March 23, 2009 at 2:26 PM
“Make sure you get their information.”
Sick and frightening.
NebCon on March 23, 2009 at 2:30 PM
Well if they come to my door I know just how to scare them off. My mouth can be pretty cruel when it wants to. I cannot believe that so many Kool Aid drinkers will sign this stupid plan. TOTUS is a pure disgrace.
sheebe on March 23, 2009 at 2:32 PM
That is a great point.
sheebe on March 23, 2009 at 2:34 PM
Bring them on, I need some exercise and kicking their ass all the way up and down my street is as good as 30 minutes on an elliptical.
NoDonkey on March 23, 2009 at 2:36 PM
Don’t forget, two can play the intimidation game. When they come to your door, be sure to aim a camera at them and ask for their names, and addresses, and phone numbers. Tell them you need as much information as they’re comfortable giving so you can put it up on your blog, or so you can email your brother in law at the police department. If you don’t have a camera handy, hold up your cell phone and ask them to stand still for a moment.
The possibilities are endless.
tom on March 23, 2009 at 2:41 PM
DITTO.
CP on March 23, 2009 at 2:43 PM
Heh, good one. How about these people signing up:
Mike Hunt (say it fast five times)
Sphincter Says What
Orvil Obamatron
Sam Sheeple
Anyone else with any ideas on how to pledge?
Also, be sure to ask the activist if you get a free brown shirt if you pledge…
Liberty or Death on March 23, 2009 at 2:48 PM
Yes indeedy. Find the pressure points, exploit them fully, and make the little darlings dread what they think will be your next request. Be overly friendly,..lots of touching.
a capella on March 23, 2009 at 2:48 PM
I was approached by two of these little Obama Zombies on Saturday while in a park. At first I thought it was some kind of fund raiser for a high school project, since they identified themselves as students.
Then they explained that they were asking me if I would “Take a pledge for Obama”. Flash-back to stories my mother told me of being a child growing up in Nazi-occupied Austria in 1938. Taught to say the pledge not to a nation or a flag or an ideal or a constitution but to a personality.
When approached on Saturday, I was confused so I just said “NO!” and walked away. This was before I saw the video and did not have the context of this insidious operation. Next time, I will be a bit more aggressive in my denunciation.
kurtzz3 on March 23, 2009 at 2:53 PM
I’m looking forward to seeing pledges from people like Al Coholic, Amanda Hugankiss, Mike Litoris, etc.
Snowed In on March 23, 2009 at 1:15 PM
Don’t fortet Hugh Gass, Claude Bawls, One Hung Low.
Dukehoopsfan on March 23, 2009 at 2:53 PM
Doofus Buttlick.
AubieJon on March 23, 2009 at 2:56 PM
t. Be overly friendly,..lots of touching.
a capella on March 23, 2009 at 2:48 PM
I would rather stick my hand in a plugged up toilet.
Old Hippie Vet on March 23, 2009 at 2:57 PM
On my opinion, 20% of the population not only agrees with the marxification of the economy, they want to speed it up.
30% of the population don’t care, so long as they get their stimulus check on time.
40% of the populution couldn’t care less, so long as it doesn’t interrupt “American Idol”.
The 10% that knows how big a disaster this is going to be aren’t enough to stop it.
MarkTheGreat on March 23, 2009 at 2:59 PM
I’m pretty sure these folks have no idea what awaits them beyond the freeway. This guy sounds a lot like Baghdad Bob — remember him? Maybe they’ll come after dark, so they’ll have some chance of survival.
littleguy on March 23, 2009 at 3:01 PM
Remember, when they come to your door 1. Sign it Mickey Mouse and 2. Sign it large enough to take up the whole page.
oakpack on March 23, 2009 at 3:04 PM
They’re going to get a big FU if they stop me or my family.
As for “pledges”, well I’ve already pledged allegiance to my country, the warriors I served with in the United States Army and my wife. I’m spoken for already so keep moving, Obama.
Claypigeon on March 23, 2009 at 3:04 PM
Better yet, if they come to my door I’m grabbing the signed pages and ripping it up in front of em.
oakpack on March 23, 2009 at 3:07 PM
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation UNDER GOD,
indivisible,with Liberty and Justice for all.GISAP on March 23, 2009 at 1:40 PM
Fixed it for me.
MarkTheGreat on March 23, 2009 at 3:07 PM
That reminds me of Jim Cramer “hostage statement” for Obama that Rush played last week. You know the cult has reached another stage when we begin seeing them attempt to escape, only to be pulled back into the fold.
And yes, this is becoming more than a cult of personality. It’s now a government cult with religious overtones led by a
charismaticcold teleprompter reader who’s been trained to use NLP techniques on a mass audience. History will prove – once more people have time to fully break out of the trance and shock to study what just happened – that he mainly used hypnotic language and techniques to take over the United States in a crisis.The people going door to door are willingly hypnotized for Obama, so rational discussion about their actions and belief in Obama will be ineffective. It will be mostly blank stares where no information is processed, or an upset reaction much like trying to wake a sleepwalker.
econavenger on March 23, 2009 at 3:15 PM
Stay out of my yard, Obamabots, else I shall release the hounds.
-Dave
Dave R. on March 23, 2009 at 3:17 PM
How creepy that this dude has to tell them, “admire what you have accomplished, celebrate what you have done.” It’s like the Marxist self-criticism sessions, or a cult.
PattyJ on March 23, 2009 at 3:18 PM
Actually, I heard about this on NPR, and the second reaction they excerpted wasn’t too different (audio only; skip to 3:10 if you want just the response).
When Obama tries to get support for his plans by degrading the Presidency, I Hope He Fails (TM).
calbear on March 23, 2009 at 3:23 PM
I think I’ll be having the Video of “Open Season” by Stuck Mojo playing on my flatscreen TV, and be holding a dog-eared copy of the latest “Soldier of Fortune” magazine in my hand if they come to my door.
Oh, and if they DO go only to the dem neighborhoods in Atlanta, they’ll probably get robbed, mugged, shot or all of the above.
MsUnderestimated on March 23, 2009 at 3:24 PM
Hmmm, Brown, it`s the RED WHITE and BLUE.
NY Conservative on March 23, 2009 at 3:25 PM
duhhh, the NEW R,W&B
NY Conservative on March 23, 2009 at 3:26 PM
Come right on in, sit down and please pardon our Brown Recluse Spider investation!
TN Mom on March 23, 2009 at 3:27 PM
I’m gonna yell so loud the whole neighborhood hears:
“Honey, come look at the idiots who want to help Obama destroy America”
TN Mom on March 23, 2009 at 3:30 PM
Invite them in for a cup of tea to enable the distribution of a tea bag or just offer them a few tea bags to staple to the pledge.
Oxybeles on March 23, 2009 at 3:32 PM
Here is Acorn, using their new donations to arm twist support the Party and those who are “unreliable”.
Better to sign the paper than have them come back later, at night, Comrade.
Think this is any different than “Card Check” where they hassle you at work to conform to the Union through removal of the secret ballot? Think this info will be kept secret? At least the Nazi party used heroic imagery to recruit. These guys used a wimp metrosexual who encourages you to “celebrate” your work for the Party.
GunRunner on March 23, 2009 at 3:38 PM
“Well, howdy there, young fella. Come on in. I was just cleaning my guns…”
Wethal on March 23, 2009 at 1:37 PM
Or maybe “get off my lawn”.
mr.blacksheep on March 23, 2009 at 1:39 PM
I prefer ‘we stacked f***s like you five feet high and used you for sandbags’
godhelpus on March 23, 2009 at 3:47 PM
How long before that logo is an arm band or on giant flags at Obama rallies in football stadiums? He may be too tactically wise to avoid doing that, but instead it seems for now the Obama Youth are intimidating you door to door. I suggest you get yourself a Liberal Trojan Horse to throw them off.
Blue Collar Todd on March 23, 2009 at 3:52 PM
White House Switchboard:
“I’m sorry, no one can take your calls concerning the economy or current job losses, we are out campaigning.”
TN Mom on March 23, 2009 at 3:52 PM
Ding! Ding! Ding! We have a winner!
This is card check for the country. Simply put, it is. Join or suffer the consequences.
Wethal on March 23, 2009 at 3:54 PM
Great idea. :-)
But I don’t have a hockey mask or a leather apron…. how about if I answer the door with a loaded AR-15 in hand with the laser sight on? (pointed at the ground of course, but ready to rock)
Just the sight of it would make a leftist wet their pants in fear.
UltimateBob on March 23, 2009 at 4:06 PM
I watched this nearly twice trying to figure out if it was an SNL-style spoof. I kept looking for those comedic give-aways.
amend2 on March 23, 2009 at 4:08 PM
Chris Hughes, who developed FaceBook, then went on to MyBarackObama.com, the internet sensation that tied all the volunteers together…now has morphed MyBO.com into Organizing For America.
Basically they took what he made for Barack, and just changed the title.
right2bright on March 23, 2009 at 4:08 PM
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