by Christi Parsons
Despite gloomy warnings about the unreliability of young voters, Sen. Barack Obama's presidential campaign continues to invest money and time in cultivating the campus crowd.
The latest sign is today's rally at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, where Obama spoke to more than 4,000 students and community members today.
The Madison campus has a reputation for progressive politics and a history of student activism, and it serves as an apt backdrop for Obama's message: that prognosticators are wrong to discount the potential influence of young voters.
That's not just a talking point for Obama, who has adopted a strategy that seems to thumb its nose at historical lessons a bit. Young voters are significantly less likely than older voters to show up for primaries, caucuses and elections.
Nevertheless, the Obama campaign has dispatched paid youth vote staff members to each of the first four voting states, where they're organizing door-to-door canvassing that includes both dorms and off-campus housing.
Their Students for Barack Obama organization just reported the formation of their 600th college campus chapter, and the campaign has also set up several dozen high school chapters in Iowa. The early voting state allows students to participate in caucuses as long as they'll turn 18 by the election.
Founded independently by a handful of students, SFBO is now an official part of the Obama campaign and retains paid staff members.
"Students who support Senator Obama are energetically organizing at the grassroots level," said Meredith Segal, one of the founders of the group and today its executive director.
She's not put off by perennially poor showing of young voters on the actual day of voting.
"We believe that the success of the students' effort will be made clear," said Segal, "when Senator Obama wins the Democratic nomination."
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Comments
I love listening to the Republican nitwits crying about Senator Obama and the other Democratic candidates.
The Republicans had full power of the American government for 6 years and they blew it and now they have a bunch flimflams running for their nomination and they know that their "glory days" are OVER.
Obama looks people in the eyes and listens and seems to really like people, as exhibited by his easy give and take with them. Those personal skills will serve him well when he's President.
I also enjoy reading about all his stops in Iowa, where I grew up----and went to school----so many are familiar and bring back memories. I see he's going to speak in Amana, which is Amish country---and near Iowa City where I went to college. It made me wonder how much they participate in the political process and wouldn't Obama's integrity and morality be a great fit for them? There are some of the best home-cooked meals in the restaurants there if you're ever in the neighborhood.
And in Charles City, where I went for my first cheerleading game, I thought it was very smart to tell the people there that if they show up to caucus, "We're going to make it fun". Yea! Fun!
(and change the world)
I liked Obama's quote when he was named president of Harvard Law Review, "The fact that I've been elected shows a lot of progress. It's encouraging". I agree, and I can think of something else that would be even more encouraging.
And ---sorry to be so talky---or typey---have a lot to say tonight----but I liked this little funny in the paper today: "On Friday in Indianola at the county fairgrounds, he used humor to soften the charge that he is too inexperienced. "Sometimes I think it's because I look young," Obama said. "I got these big ears. I look like Opie."
Posted by: Karen | October 15, 2007 1:38 PM
Yeah, most of the youth was for Kerry, too. A lot of good it did him. They talk a good game but they don't vote. Democrats shouldn't ignore them, but they shouldn't think having their support is enough to win.
Posted by: Paul | October 15, 2007 2:21 PM
Actually Paul, Kerry was the second choice for many young people in 2004. Howard Dean was their first choice and early on did turn out in numbers for him. The thing about Obama, however, is that many young people seem to trust him. He does not come across as a typical politician and, with younger voters that's a huge plus. I really beleive that it will be the young voters that turn out and vote for the Senator and will ultimately give him the nomination.
Posted by: Dean G. | October 15, 2007 5:42 PM