“We’re looking for supporters,” saidDeHaven of Hoover, one of the event’s organizers.”We’re not looking for a fight. That will comelater, when we have an army.”
Volunteers fanned out across the Birmingham area and AlabamaSaturday to pump up enthusiasm for President BarackObama’s budget proposal in much the same way they didto win over voters during the presidential campaign.
About 30 volunteers in Birmingham canvassed shopping areasand other high-traffic locations to talk about the need forhealth care reform, an education overhaul andenvironmentally friendly energy development.
“If we don’t change these three things in thenext 10 to 15 years, America is over as we know it,”Chris DeHaven, told the group of volunteers before they wenttheir separate ways.
Obama’s plan faces criticism from Republicans andothers who say it’s too expensive. The nonpartisanCongressional Budget Office released a report Friday sayingObama’s agenda would cause huge budget deficits,forcing the country to borrow $9.3 trillion in the nextdecade.
Those who gathered at Kelly Ingram Park in downtownBirmingham were urged to enlist others who shareObama’s vision and to stay away from trying to convertnaysayers.
“We’re looking for supporters,” saidDeHaven of Hoover, one of the event’s organizers.”We’re not looking for a fight. That will comelater, when we have an army.”
The volunteers are part of Organizing for America, thesame grassroots, national network credited in large partwith Obama’s quick rise from obscurity to president.Birmingham and 11 other sites statewide were part of anational push this weekend by Organizing for America totrumpet Obama’s spending proposal.
Across the metro area, volunteers gave their opinionsabout why Obama’s plan is good for the country’sfuture. Then they asked those willing to sign a pledge ofsupport for the budget. Supporters’ e-mail addressesand other contact information were collected, to keep peopleengaged and to recruit more volunteers.
Leanne Townsend of Hoover also helped organizeSaturday’s event. She has been a member of the Obamagrassroots network since March 2007.
“Our group in Birmingham has been veryinvolved,” Townsend said. “We’re still veryenergetic. We all worked so hard during the campaign. Wecan’t just stop.”
E-mail: avelasco@bhamnews.com