Jon Carson, the executive director of Organizing for Action, makes an extraordinary claim in USA Today:
We are not a partisan organization; we will hold both Republicans and Democrats accountable to ensure that they are advancing the agenda endorsed by the majority of the American people. We are not a political organization, and our focus is issues, not elections.The claim echoes that of another pro-Obama group:
Americans United For Change is a platform for patriotic voices from all along the ideological spectrum: people who care about America and believe we are stronger united rather than divided; moving forward rather than standing still. We are not a partisan organization nor are we allied with any political party. Together, we will amplify our voices so the priorities of working people can no longer be ignored by the powerful. Our goal is simple: a government that works for all of us.Factcheck.org says: "Americans United for Change is a liberal group whose message closely mirrors that of the Obama White House."
There is an old precedent on the other side. The Christian Science Monitor reported on January 25, 1984:
President Ronald Reagan soon may have his own well-organized team of cheerleaders in each of the nation's 435 congressional districts. That is the goal of a conservative, grass-roots lobbying force now taking shape across the United States.
Citizens For America (CFA), which first sprouted last summer at the behest of the President, is dedicated to supporting and promoting Reagan policies ''for economic growth and a strong national defense.''
The organization, headed by Lewis E. Lehrman, the millionaire Republican businessman and New York GOP gubernatorial nominee, plans an ongoing two-dimensional program in behalf of its cause.
''We are a nonpartisan civic group banded together in the common interest of building a stronger America,'' explains former Boston Mayor John F. Collins, a member of the CFA national steering committee.
The Massachusetts Democrat, emphasizing the goal is to bring together those who believe in the same principles whether they be Republican, Democratic, or independent, declared: ''We are pro-life, pro-family, pro-liberty, pro-economic growth, pro-free enterprise, pro-jobs, and pro-strong defense.''
Messrs. Lehrman and Collins make it clear they feel President Reagan is on the right track in his leadership of the nation.
They deny vehemently, however, that theirs is a single-candidate force, explaining they will not endorse political candidates, not even President Reagan.
