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Grassroots effort tries to make dent in political process

by Canda HarbaughWestern News
| February 8, 2010 11:00 PM

The newspaper advertisements and glossy brochures promised a way to boot the 435 politicians out of the U.S. House of Representatives and replace them with “everyday Americans.”

It may not be a new idea, but it is a new procedure.

About 50 attendees and organizers met last Friday evening at the VFW Hall in Libby to discuss Get Out Of Our House, or GOOOH (pronounced, “go”), a grassroots organization with a direct plan aiming to “bypass the two parties, sever all ties with special-interest money, replace career politicians and hold elected officials accountable.”

Marchette Robinson of Libby organized the meeting after catching wind of the concept that has gained national momentum. Robinson was inspired by the Lincoln County Tea Party that attracted nearly 300 people to the same venue last September. She had hoped that many of the same folks, those frustrated by decisions in Congress, would show up.

Attendance numbers disappointed her, but she was still pleased with the event.

“Maybe I didn’t have a good turnout, but I did something,” she said. “I see people that are concerned with the government. With that they’ll be able to spread the word. That’s what a grassroots effort is.”

Jerry Todd, who is the Montana representative for GOOOH, traveled from Spokane, Wash., to give a presentation.

“It’s simply a very innovative way that we choose our elected officials,” Todd explained. “The goal of GOOOH is to replace all 435 members of the House of Representatives. It seems like a very daunting task, but as I’ve gone through this process – I’ve seen that it’s possible.”

To become a GOOOH member, participants must fill out an online questionnaire about key issues and make a donation of at least $100. The goal is to get 500,000 members, which, Todd said, would raise enough money and support for an election campaign.

Once the membership goal is met, GOOOH members from each voting district would be organized into small groups. Each group would deliberate on the issues and choose two people to advance to the next round. After several rounds, a single representative would be selected from each district to be on the ballot.

Attendees participated in a mock session, where they filled out a 20-question sheet about key issues and discussed their views in six-member groups. After deliberation, they voted the top two candidates that would, in theory, move up to the next round.

Some familiar faces, such as state Rep. Jerry Bennett and Libby councilmembers D.C. Orr and Vicky Lawrence, participated.

“GOOOH is a cool concept,” Orr said. “It has the potential to gather the numbers they need. It has the potential to really rock the boat, which could be a good thing or could be a bad thing.”

Orr said that because GOOOH candidates would all be “everyday Americans,” they may not have the knowledge or background they need to succeed in Congress.

“That’s the only weakness I can see,” Orr said.

Orr pointed out that GOOOH is one of many similar movements that have come forward in recent years.

“I see a lot of those movements happening all with a little different angle,” he said, “but it is a sign of frustration. People are frustrated with the political process.”