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FILE - This May 10, 2007, file photo shows David Plouffe, who led President Barack Obama's winning campaign in the 2008 presidential race, in Obama's Chicago campaign headquarters. Obama veterans are building a wide network of deep-pocketed groups and consulting firms independent of government, the Democratic Party and traditional liberal groups, a sweeping _ if not unprecedented _ effort outside the White House gates aimed at promoting the president's agenda and shaping his legacy.
WASHINGTON—Close aides and loyal allies who made President Barack Obama's re-election possible are attempting to do what's never been done before. They're building an extensive, well-heeled network of outside groups and consulting firms with one goal: promoting Obama's agenda and shaping the legacy he'll leave behind.


So those who fought to keep him in office are launching a sweeping effort, independent of government, the Democratic Party and traditional liberal groups, to create a web of influence outside the White House gates that can rally support for Obama's policies, with more flexibility that being on the inside allows.

"You can only change it from the outside," Obama said of Washington in the heat of his re-election race, reflecting a frustration that characterized his first term and his ongoing challenge to convince Republicans to see things his way.







The group controls Obama's massive email list and also his campaign Twitter account, which has more than 27 million followers and frequently tweets links to his government website.



"Any notion that there is a set price for a meeting with the president of the United States is just wrong," Carney said Monday. He said it's expected that Obama would meet groups promoting his agenda and that OFA's existence is "perfectly appropriate."


"They have created literally a cottage industry solely devoted to access and making money off the access," said Sean Spicer, a spokesman for the Republican National Committee. 





"The goal is to bring new people into the process and help them tell Washington how to create jobs and accelerate our economic recovery," said Jim Doyle, Business Forward's president.




"Many of us have spent at this point six years or longer together," said Teddy Goff, Obama's 2012 digital director, who is not affiliated with the fledgling bodies. "I have no doubt that people are talking to their old friends and making sure they're efficient as possible."



"Organizing for Action is unlike any entity we have ever seen before tied to a president," said Fred Wertheimer, a campaign finance reform advocate with Democracy 21, a Washington nonprofit. "This group is so tied to Obama himself, that it creates opportunities for corporations and individuals to buy corrupting influence with the administration—and at a minimum, to create the appearance of such influence."


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