Obama Taps Database to Help Victims of California Fires

Susan Davis reports on the transition. What will President-elect Barack Obama do with the multimillion voter database his presidential campaign amassed? A firefighter drags a hose uphill as his crew prepares to put out a wildfire destroying homes in Yorba Linda, Calif., on Saturday. (AP) Today he offered a glimpse of how he will be able to harness his grassroots support behind other causes, using his Web site to direct supporters to relief efforts for victims of the wildfires in California. “Throughout the campaign, we saw time and again that when ordinary people act together, they can make a huge difference,” a blog post on the site reads, directing viewers to where they can make donations or sign up to volunteer. Obama spoke with California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Sunday to discuss the impact of the fires on the state. Since last Thursday, three major fires have burned nearly 41,000 acres, or 64 square miles, ... (link)