The White House announced that in a big speech tomorrow, President Obama will do what no Republican President has been able to do: Put Medicare and Medicaid on the table for potential cuts. Many former Obama volunteers, donors, and voters are deeply disappointed. A Democratic Congressman said on MSNBC last night that Obama needs to "act like a Democrat." Read the text of the urgent pledge below, and click here to add your voice now.
President Obama: If you cut Medicare and Medicaid benefits for me, my parents, my grandparents, or families like mine, don't ask for a penny of my money or an hour of my time in 2012. I'm going to focus on electing bold progressive candidates -- not Democrats who help Republicans make harmful cuts.
Below are some amazing notes from Obama volunteers who worked passionately for the President in 2008.
Many people still want to believe in President Obama. But the White House needs to understand that their actions now will have real consequences for 2012. The level of grassroots enthusiasm will be determined by whether the President fights for bold progressive change -- and takes cuts that hurt grandparents, the disabled, and kids firmly off the table. The Huffington Post is calling this pledge a "preemptive warning shot" to protect these essential programs.
The White House will absolutely be watching the progress of this petition. And we'll deliver the pledge signatures to the Obama campaign headquarters in Chicago. Please sign today -- then, pass it to others who worked to elect President Obama in 2008.
NOTES FROM ACROSS THE NATION:
Susan Carpenter, Obama volunteer from Ohio:
"Like many volunteers on his campaign, I was in love with the idea of Obama. I haven't given up on him quite yet, but I'm mustering the energy to work on the resistance. He needs to know who we are."
John Rotolo, Obama volunteer from Florida:
"I'm almost too heartsick to comment...I'm at a loss."
Barbara Louise Jean, Obama volunteer from Nevada:
"It's ludicrous to cut Medicare for seniors when Wall Street created this mess without being held accountable. At 69, I'll be in financial trouble if Medicare benefits are lowered."
Joelle Barnes, Obama volunteer from Pennsylvania:
"This is like a knife through my heart! This is a Republican thing!"
Michaele Bonenberger, Obama volunteer from South Dakota:
"This does not sound at all like the Barak Obama that I worked so hard to get elected in 2008."
Dotty Hopkins, Obama volunteer from California:
"It makes it hard to gin up enthusiasm for 2012. More like hold your nose and vote again! As a former Obama volunteer, I'm already worrying about my lack of desire to do any campaigning and I'm on our County Central Committee for heaven's sake."
Suzanne Fair, Obama volunteer from Maryland:
"I know he has to compromise sometimes, but it seems that he is caving to the Republicans far too often. We elected him for real change and I would like to see him stand strong against the corporate rich."
Margaret Copi, Obama donor from California:
"I contributed more to Obama's campaign than I have to anything else in my life, but no more dollars from me and definitely not a moment of volunteer time, unless he makes huge shifts and starts to fight for the peoples' interest."
Frankie Perdue, Obama volunteer from Colorado:
"I do not think that Medicare/Medicaid and Social Security should be on the negotiating table at all. Have the corporations pay their fair share of taxes."
Deborah Finn, Obama volunteer from North Carolina:
"This is wrong! We did not elect Obama to have him make cuts in valuable, important programs. He needs to stand up to the Republicans. And he needs to speak to the American people about why it is morally wrong to cut the programs."
The White House needs to hear your voice -- sign our pledge today. Then pass it on to others.Updated by BoldProgressives at Tue Apr 12, 2011Over 30,000 40,000 50,000 60,000 70,000 80,000 90,000 supporters have taken the pledge!