Well, that's one way of putting it.
But what we're really talking about here is organizing -- Organizing for Action's herding of the cats, if you will -- for the next election season. NBC News' Michael Isikoff takes a look at just what this means.
The creation of OFA, which is being chaired by former Obama campaign manager Jim Messina, is stirring controversy – both among public interest groups over the group’s plans to except unlimited corporate donations, and among privacy advocates over the transfer of the database.
“It’s extremely worrisome,” said Lillie Coney, associate director of the Electronic Privacy Information Center, noting that Obama campaign supporters likely have no idea that personal data they voluntarily shared with the campaign has now been transferred and is being used for purposes beyond the election.
Dubbed the “nuclear codes” by campaign aides, the Obama campaign database is widely described as one of the most powerful tools ever developed in American politics. According to published reports, it contains the names of at least 4 million Obama donors – as well as millions of others (the campaign has consistently refused to say how many) compiled from voter registration rolls and other public databases. In addition, the campaign used sophisticated computer programs — with code names like “Narwhal” — to collect information through social media: Anybody who contacted the campaign through Facebook had their friends and “likes” downloaded. If they contacted the campaign website through mobile apps, cellphone numbers and address books were downloaded. Computer “cookies”captured Web browsing and online spending habits.
"I can’t think of anything that rivals this data,” said Coney, noting that much of the data was voluntarily supplied by voters, something that consumers are often reluctant to do when dealing with commercial companies. “The private sector would love to be able to do what the (Obama) campaign was able to do.” ...Michael Isikoff, NBC News"Just as bad as Republicans," seems to be what many critics on the left are saying. And, of course, I'd agree. Except OFA doesn't represent Republicans. It represents the good guys. Right?
