PRESS RELEASE from MoveOn.org Political Action
For Immediate Release: Thursday, June 21, 2012
Contact: Sahar Wali or Gena Madow

 

MoveOn.org Political Action announced today its endorsement of Barack Obama for reelection as President of the United States. To endorse candidates in two-way races, MoveOn must receive a two-thirds vote in favor from its members. In a 24-hour poll that took place starting yesterday morning, more than 91 percent told MoveOn to endorse and dedicate substantial resources to the presidential race.
 
According to member comments, the candidates’ competing economic philosophies played an important role in the vote. MoveOn members believe Obama is the only candidate with whom a strong economy and prosperous middle class are possible. They know Mitt Romney’s plan to raid the middle class to give even more to the 1% would be a disaster for the economy.
 
MoveOn.org Political Action Executive Director Justin Ruben had the following statement:
 
“MoveOn.org’s 7 million members have spoken out in resounding support of reelecting Barack Obama and defeating Mitt Romney.  With this endorsement, we will invest significant time and resources into mobilizing people power to win the election and prevent a hostile takeover by the 1%. We simply cannot allow Mitt Romney to drive a stake through the heart of the middle class.
 
“We win by fighting back against efforts to narrow the electorate through voter suppression and will work to get all eligible women, voters of color, and voters under 30 to the polls this November. We will make clear for voters the stark choice before them: an economy in which all Americans have a shot or one in which Mitt Romney raids the middle class to transfer even more wealth to the 1%, which would lead to economic disaster.
 
“With this endorsement, we thank the President for his promise to veto the Bush tax breaks for the wealthy, for his leadership on marriage equality and women’s rights, and for helping the thousands of immigrant students who have worked so hard to contribute to our nation.

“And we commit to pushing both parties to provide more support for the 99%. MoveOn members have disagreed with the President on multiple issues, including the job-killing debt ceiling deal. We understand that electing him will not by itself bring the change we seek, but it is absolutely a precondition to that change, and we will devote the full resources of our 7 million members to making it happen.”
 
MoveOn’s strategy:
MoveOn will employ the following strategy to use creativity and innovative technology to leverage the people power of its 7 million members: 
·         Ensure voters know that Mitt Romney would be great for the 1% but a disaster for the economy and the middle class. MoveOn will use grassroots mobilization, creative tactics, and hard-hitting ads to expose Mitt Romney as a corporate raider who will do the same thing to the middle class that he did to workers while he was at Bain Capital – kill jobs and saddle us with debt, to make the ultra rich richer.
·         Turn out young voters, single women, and voters of color in the face of suppression efforts. MoveOn will fight back against the 1%’s attempt to narrow the electorate. We will hold politicians who support suppression efforts like Governor Rick Scott’s racist voter purge in Florida accountable, and we will use the grassroots power of our 7 million members to turn out the Rising American Electorate in November.
 
Sample MoveOn member comments in support of the endorsement of President Obama:

“Obama is not just the right choice -- in my mind, he's the only choice. While I have not agreed with all of his decisions, he is a good and decent politician who cares about ALL Americans -- not just those in the top 1%.”

“I am an independent but it worries me that Romney is too far to the right.  I also believe the Bush tax cuts should be repealed for those most able to afford them. I am also concerned about women's rights and the potential mix of the Supreme Court. I would definitely want to try to get the Supreme Court to come back to its senses and get rid of the super pacs. We no longer elect our government.”

“I endorsed the President because I believe that he is the best man for the job.  He has made his share of mistakes, but he handled the recession and bank crisis well.  He got us out of Iraq.  He has the right priorities on the budget.  He has tried in good faith to compromise with the Congress.  His health care bill has great potential to insure far more Americans.  He will keep Social Security and Medicare.”

“In short, because the alternative is so terrible!  Letting the Republicans get back in power would be disastrous for the poor, the middle class, women, the environment... just about everyone and everything except the Super-Rich.”

“I feel Obama is for the people of the lower and middle class. Mitt Romney will be for the rich. All people in general need a fighting chance to survive in this struggling economy. For instance, unemployment and the rising of student tuition as I'm a student myself. When November comes in, I will vote for Barack Obama.”
 
 
MoveOn.org Political Action is a political action committee powered by more than 7 million Americans from every state and every congressional district. Since its founding in 1998, MoveOn members have volunteered tens of millions of hours for progressive candidates. MoveOn members believe in the power of grassroots action to make our country a more progressive place and elect candidates who will fight to put the American Dream back within reach for all Americans.