DontGo (also commonly spelled in numerous other ways such asDon't Go,DontGO, andDon'tGO) is afree marketpolitical activistnon-profit group founded byAmerican conservativePatrick Ruffini, who had previously created theblogThe Next Right, andlibertarian Eric Odom, aninternet marketer living inChicago, Illinois.[1]
The group started during the August 2008offshore oil drilling debate in theHouse of Representatives, their members strongly favored further drilling and supported theRepublican revolt on the issue. Founders Odom and Ruffini intended for their website to work as aclearinghouse of information for theRepublicans.[1][2]
Critics of the group accused it of taking contributions fromoil companies. Eric Odom strongly disputes the charges, saying that he's "still waiting on those magical checks".[3]
Eric Odom has stated that "Our agenda is to declare war on incumbency and long term power.[2] The group's mission statement on its website labels it "for anyone who supports free markets, low-taxes, low-regulation and personal freedoms."[4] Threenational conservative groups, DontGo,FreedomWorks, andAmericans for Prosperity led the tea party movement in April, 2009, according toThe Atlantic magazine, which referred to DontGo as a "tech savvy" "online rapid response team".[2]
The group is instrumental in co-coordinating theNationwide Chicago Tea Party, which led to theTax Day Tea Party protests. It claims to have worked with 700 separate demonstrations. Odom, aBob Barr supporter withlibertarian leanings, opposes too muchRepublican involvement with their protests. Notably, he turned down a request fromRepublican National Committee ChairmanMichael Steele to speak at the group's Chicago protest.[2] After the snub, theRepublican National Committee released a statement saying that "They're just having a little fun."[5]
