By Tom Curry
National affairs writer
msnbc.com
updated 11:49 a.m. MT, Sat., Feb. 7, 2009


RENTON, Wash. - The gathering Friday night in Daryl Berry’s house in this suburban city 20 miles south of Seattle was both a dozen people sitting around talking in a den and a history-making political event.

The talkfest, one of some 3,000 taking place this weekend at houses, churches and coffee shops across the country, marked the first time that the Democratic National Committee has summoned the supporters of President Barack Obama using the Web-based tactics that got him elected.

“I hope to sign the recovery plan into law in the next few weeks,â€