Organizing for America | Anthony Kusich's Blog: Hoops for Change

Hoops for Change

By Anthony from Portland, OR - Apr 29th, 2008 at 2:57 pm EDT

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Tags: basketball, college, Craig Robinson, James Jones

Before a North Portland crowd of volunteers, local activists, and basketball fans last night, the campaign held an exciting Hoops for Change event featuring some of the biggest names in Oregon sports.

Craig Robinson, Oregon State's new men's basketball coach (who also happens to be Barack's brother-in-law), refereed a 3-on-3 game with some young Obama supporters who had collected voter registration forms over the weekend. Participants were picked after answering a couple of Craig's Obama-centric trivia questions, such as "What state does Barack represent in the Senate?" and "On which island did he spend his childhood?"

Coaching the opposing teams were Portland Trail Blazers Channing Frye and James Jones, taking some time away from the Rose Garden to lend a hand in Barack's campaign for change. KXL "voice of the Trail Blazers" (and former Blazer himself) Antonio Harvey did some hilarious play-by-play at the event.

Frye's team came up short both times, but there was little disappointment among the 100 or so fans who showed up for a good time and a good cause. Of course, pictures and autographs were part of the post-game package.

Earlier in the day, "Fresh Prince of Bel Air" actress and Yes We Can star Tatyana Ali made a string of campus appearances for Obama at colleges around the state. Hitting UofO and OSU, she wrapped up the day at Portland State University on the eve of the voter registration deadline. She encouraged students to make their voices heard in the process, and to support Sen. Obama in the May primary.

Ali cited Obama's message of hope and change for getting her first involved with the campaign. She also discussed how having a leader who is able to "cross so many lines and divides" to inspire the American people is absolutely critical in our next president. The voter registration period ends Tuesday, April 29th, and ballots are due by May 20th.

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FROM A FORMER OREGONIAN | Report to Admin

By Fire Is Born Apr 29th 2008 at 5:18 pm EDT

YES WE CAN!

YES WE CAN!

YES WE CAN!

FROM A FORMER OREGONIAN | Report to Admin

By Fire Is Born Apr 29th 2008 at 5:18 pm EDT

YES WE CAN!

YES WE CAN!

YES WE CAN!

FROM A FORMER OREGONIAN | Report to Admin

By Fire Is Born Apr 29th 2008 at 5:19 pm EDT

YES WE CAN!

YES WE CAN!

YES WE CAN!

OBAMA! | Report to Admin

By Ryan Loney-Students for Barack Obama Apr 30th 2008 at 12:39 am EDT

They used our sign! Go UC Davis for Obama!

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