Organizing for Action is becoming something of a conundrum for those who want more regulation on speech. On the one hand, the worries “that foreign money could easily be laundered through the dark money system that evolved after the Citizens United decision,” and the OFA is representative of such an effort are ridiculous. As are the panicked calls to “shut it down.”
Of course, the latest news, thanks to an op-ed written by former deputy Chief of Staff in the Obama White House and current National Chairman of OFA, is that the group won’t be accepting corporate money:
While Organizing for Action is a nonprofit social welfare organization that faces a lower disclosure threshold than a political campaign, we believe in being open and transparent. That’s why every donor who gives $250 or more to this organization will be disclosed on the website with the exact amount they give on a quarterly basis. We have now decided not to accept contributions from corporations, federal lobbyists or foreign donors.
Supporters of Organizing for Action will dedicate their time to mobilize their friends and neighbors on behalf of the president’s agenda. Whether you’re a volunteer or a donor, we can’t and we won’t guarantee access to any government officials. But just as the president and administration officials deliver updates on the legislative process to Americans and organizations across the ideological spectrum, there may be occasions when members of Organizing for Action are included in those updates. These are not opportunities to lobby — they are briefings on the positions the president has taken and the status of seeing them through.
The Hill Reports the following:
The president will address the advocacy group’s “founder’s summit,” a two-day event for donors and supporters at a Washington-area hotel.
According to The New York Times, donors will pay $50,000 to attend the event, and other speakers will include OFA Chairman and former Obama campaign manager Jim Messina, as well as Jon Carson, the group’s executive director and former director of the White House Office of Public Engagement.
At the event, the president and OFA officials are hoping to rally supporters for efforts on the president’s gun control, immigration and budget initiatives.
