OFA targets Republican Representatives

ABC News’ Yunji de Nies Reports

It's Day 7 in Organizing For America's Final March for Reform.  The president's fundraising arm is reaching out to its 13 million members, asking them to not only call their representatives in Congress, but also call strangers with Republican representatives who may be leaning toward a no vote on health care reform to then inspire them to call their representatives to vote yes.

A sample email sent out today targets Congressman Mike Castle (R-DE).  It reads, “In 2008, voters in Delaware voted to send President Obama to Washington to fight for change — including for desperately needed health insurance reform. They expected Republican Representative Mike Castle to reach across the aisle to be a partner for change. 

Unfortunately, last fall Rep. Castle opposed reform and voted to let insurance companies continue jacking up premiums and denying care to sick people. But it's not too late for him to change his mind and put average Americans and the middle class ahead of corporate and special interests. 

The next make-or-break vote on reform is just a few days away, it's expected to be extremely close, and Rep. Castle could be critical. So for Day 7 of the Final March for Reform, our plan is to reach out to voters in his district and ask them to call their representative to speak out for reform.”

OFA members are encouraged to follow the online “Neighbor-to-Neighbor tool,” which pulls up a stranger’s name and telephone number along with a form letter with this standard pitch:

“Hi. Is Mr./Ms. _________ available? My name is ___________, and I'm a volunteer with Organizing for America. How are you today? (Wait for a reply and engage in a conversational manner.)
I'm calling because Congress will be voting on health reform as soon as this week, and your Representative, _____ needs to hear from you.
Voters in your district voted for President Obama in 2008 and clearly want change, not more partisan politics. But sadly, Rep. ______ voted last fall to oppose reform and preserve the status quo, where insurance companies can jack up rates, drop coverage when folks get sick, and discriminate against people with pre-existing conditions.
The upcoming vote will be incredibly close. Rep. _______ has one last chance to support health reform that protects us all from insurance company abuses, guarantees affordable options, and reduces costs. But insurance company lobbyists are working overtime in DC, and he needs to hear from you directly. Would you be willing to call Rep. ______ and ask him to support the President's proposal for health insurance reform?”

OFA’s site encourages each person to call 50 people.  Callers are ranked against each other and receive color coded star promotions for each person they successfully contact.