Obama in Ohio today visiting wind turbine plant - mobilizing public behind economic agenda

Obama to tout economic plan in Ohio

WASHINGTON — President-elect Barack Obama heads to a manufacturing plant on Friday in Bedford Heights, Ohio, the first stop in an extraordinary new effort to motivate and mobilize millions of citizen-lobbyists to promote his vast agenda.

"I wouldn't have won without our ability to organize ordinary people," Obama said in an interview with USA TODAY late Wednesday. "We want that to continue. That's important not just for winning elections, but it's important for governing. In some ways, it may be more important for governing. It's also important for holding me accountable."

Today's campaign-style trip is to the Cardinal Fastener & Specialty Co., which makes parts for wind turbines. Obama will tour the plant and meet with workers to talk about how his $825 billion economic stimulus plan will benefit companies involved in efforts to develop new energy sources such as wind power.

His supporters, meanwhile, are in the early stages of building a grass-roots network that the Obama administration can tap to shape and promote his policies and serve the country.

"We've got 10 million people out there who were involved actively in our campaign," Obama said. "I don't want them to just sit around waiting for me to do something. I want them to be pushing their agendas."

-snip

The effort to motivate the public in the face of dire economic reports and predictions of darker times, begins with Tuesday's inaugural speech. Obama said his remarks are designed in part to remind Americans that they have overcome tougher times. "The American people of today are as up to the challenge as they were in FDR's time," he said.