Obama's Volunteer Army

Submitted by JC on March 21, 2009 - 9:20pm.

One of the most spectacular ways that President Obama changed Washington during the campaign was to enlist an army of volunteers who acted like community activists, developing a broad grassroots organization.  This was very helpful in the campaign field operation, registering voters, informing citizens of the candidate's initiatives, and turning people out to vote.

President Obama has undertaken a novel approach to governing from the White House.  He has decided to re-engage the 13 million people who invigorated his campaign, asking them to reach out to their friends and neighbors in support of his budget.  I am a big fan of these efforts, described in greater detail in the Washington Post.