WASHINGTON (AP) — The presidential campaign is over, but that doesn't mean President Barack Obama's political organization is through.
It's being turned into a non-profit group -- funded partly by corporate money -- to help mobilize support behind Obama's second-term agenda.
Officials say the group -- called Organizing for Action -- will advocate on key policy issues such as gun control and immigration. It will also devote attention to local issues around the country.
Obama campaign manager Jim Messina will be the national chairman. The board of directors will include several former White House and campaign aides.
The decision to keep the group separate from the Democratic National Committee could anger some Democrats who have grumbled that Obama was more interested in protecting his own "brand" than in building the party.
The group will have tax exempt status. As a nonprofit, it can run ads advocating support for an issue, but can't be involved in political activity aimed at electing Democrats.
Campaign finance experts said the creation of a nonprofit group with close ties to the president could raise questions about how donations from corporations might influence federal policy.
%@AP Links
028-v-30-(Shirley Smith, AP correspondent)--AP sources are saying the Obama team is set to form an agenda group to be called Organizing for Action. AP correspondent Shirley Smith reports. (18 Jan 2013)
<<CUT *028 (01/18/13)>> 00:30
029-c-16-(Shirley Smith, AP correspondent)-"promoting his agenda"-AP correspondent Shirley Smith reports forming this outside, nonprofit group is unprecedented. (18 Jan 2013)
<<CUT *029 (01/18/13)>> 00:16 "promoting his agenda"
