Posts with the tag students for barack obama

Comedy Writers! Here's your Chance: " PFAW McPalin Haiku Hysteria Contest"

Theresa — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 13:48:13 EDT

Please join "Female Fundits for Barack" to receive more posts like this.

Link to submission page: https://secure.pfaw.org/site/SPageServer?pagename=action_haiku&autologin=true

People For the American Way is looking for some great haikus about John McCain and Sarah Palin! Three winners will have their haikus published in the Nation magazine. Other prizes will be announced. Ten finalists will be chosen and then the three winners will be voted on by you and other People For the American Way supporters.

What is a Haiku?

A haiku is an unrhymed verse/poetry form of Japanese origin having three lines containing usually five, seven and five syllables respectively. Intended to convey a vivid impression poetically in only seventeen syllables, haikus have traditionally focused on nature — but our goal is to spread a very important election year message:
IMPORTANT: Guidelines for Contest

Entries must be submitted online, using the form provided.
Each contestant may submit up to three entries.
All valid entries must be received by Sunday, October 12 at midnight.
Haikus will be judged on the following criteria:
- Connects Sarah Palin and/or John McCain to the Far Right or to what's at stake this election, OR
- Makes the connection between the 2008 Election and the future of the Supreme Court

Here are some samples:

McCain on judges:
"I like all the ones Bush picked."
We're in trouble, now.

Driving our nation
Over a bridge to nowhere
Thats McCain-Palin

Activism, Enthusiasm and Students find Company in Burgers

Michael- NU — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 17:26:13 EDT

It was a Monday evening on a college campus. The football game would be on in a couple hours, the barbecue was fired up and the burgers were cooking. However, the people congregating at the picnic tables weren’t discussing the Chargers versus the Jets. They weren’t focused on the busy first day of classes looming tomorrow. Instead, they were discussing something far more important and intriguing: their future and each other.

Yesterday, Northwestern University students congregated around four picnic tables and two grills for a “BBQ for Barack”. Almost 300 students showed up to find out more about the campaign and what they could do to help (and of course free burgers!). While the event, hosted by Northwestern University Students for Barack Obama and College Democrats, was designed to raise awareness about the organizations, it also raised awareness about the students themselves. Alison, a junior from Coconut Creek, FL felt that “everyone’s pretty enthusiastic. It’s really cool to actually see people out here wanting to do something!”

In a college student’s daily discussions, politics has difficulty getting the same play time as classes, parties and how unfair it is that all the freshmen get wireless in their dorms. However, this gathering clearly showed that there is a crowd that wants to discuss the issues that are important and relevant to the world outside campus life. Jacob, a senior from San Francisco, said there were “lots of familiar faces that you wouldn’t expect to see here. It’s always nice to see young faces, people my own age, interested.” And many of these students were far more than just interested. Approximately 140 students pledged to travel to Iowa with the campaign at least once, with more than 80 planning on going this Saturday.

NU students have often complained of political apathy on campus. This election, this candidate and this message have changed that. Today’s students are finding their voices and using them to declare the need for change in this country. Thousands of students across the country are sacrificing their time, a precious commodity in college, to help the campaign that has inspired millions. Anyone wanting to see the hope in Barack Obama’s campaign need only look out at that crowd of students and find inspiration.

Gov. Strickland Returns to Athens to Spread Love for Barack

Michael in Ohio — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 11:06:14 EDT

More from Stephen, on the road with the Heartland Change RV for Heartland Issues Week, about an event yesterday in Southeast Ohio:

We gathered in the Golden Hour in Athens at Ohio University. Gov. Stickland fired up just over 200 college students and community members gathered in the Scripps Ampitheater. We heard about how Sen. Obama needs our help to get elected to affect the change we need. We need him so that we can restart our economy and bring jobs to Ohio. People made posters to greet the Governor and they recognized a friend coming to Athens to tell them about the desperate need for a change in the Presidency.

Tailgating for Change! Voter Registration at the Bowling Green Game

Michael in Ohio — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 19:31:56 EDT

Football is huge at colleges across Ohio... and so is the hunger for a new kind of politics in the White House! Every weekend at football games, and before them at the tailgate parties, student volunteers in Ohio register hundreds of new voters. This weekend in Bowling Green, BG played Minnesota, and though the outcome of the game wasn't ideal, the voter registration drive at the tailgate was! Local Field Organizer Corrie has the story, below the picture:

Saturday night was a winning night at the BGSU football stadium even if the home team didn't win. BGSU college dems and SFBO hosted an Obama tailgate where we barbequed, registered voters, and signed up tons of supporters and future volunteers! A few even joined us the next day to canvass after the festivities! After talking about Barack and feasting on hot dogs and hamburgers the crew headed to the stadium decked out in Obama gear to show support not only for the local team but also for Barack!

Looking for a way to get involved on your campus? It can be as easy and fun as tailgating! Now is the perfect time to start making a difference--the deadline for registering voters is October 6th, and there are still plenty of unregistered students out there, waiting to let their voice be heard. Ohio has the second highest student population in the country, at around 665,000--and John Kerry lost Ohio by a mere 118,000 votes. Now more than ever, young people in Ohio have the opportunity to single-handledly turn this country around by turning the Buckeye state blue. Get started right now, by clicking HERE.

Check out this video about Students for Barack Obama and what this movement means to a whole new generation of active, engaged citizens:

Ohio for Change Launches Campus Voter Registration Drive

Michael in Ohio — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 21:29:26 EDT

As students return to campuses throughout Ohio for Fall classes, Barack Obama’s Ohio for Change Campaign will launch a voter registration drive this weekend at colleges and universities across the Buckeye State.

Ohio for Change volunteers will be registering students and discussing Sen. Obama’s plans to bring real change to Washington and why Ohio can’t afford the four more years of George Bush’s failed economic policies that John McCain promises.

Campuses with voter registration activities this weekend include Case Western University, Miami University, University of Dayton, Bowling Green State University, Ohio Wesleyan University and the University of Toledo.

Case Western University
Freiberger Field and Campus
Cleveland, OH

University of Dayton
Student Union
Dayton, OH

Miami University
Miami University Union
Oxford, OH

Ohio Wesleyan University
Campus Union

Delaware, OH

University of Toledo
2801 West Bancroft
Toledo, OH

Louisiana Students for Barack Obama!

Candice Dixon — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 02:53:07 EDT

Hello Louisiana Obama Supporters!

Students for Barack Obama (SFBO) in Louisiana has a new State Leadership Team.

State Coordinator: Candice M. Dixon, cdixon@studentsforbarackobama.com, (225) 341-1580
Deputy State Coordinator: Shaawn Ali, sfshaawnsf@yahoo.com
Field Coordinator: Gerren Sias, gsias1@lsu.edu
Deputy Field Coordinators:
Adnan Suleman, amsuleman@gmail.com
Lauren Jeanene Anderson, landers1@tulane.edu

We have currently been charged with and will be working hard to establish Students for Barack Obama Chapters at Colleges & Universities throughout the State. High Schools are also welcomed to form a SFBO Chapter. For instructions on how to formally establish a SFBO Chapter, please e-mail cdixon@studentsforbarackobama.com. Additionally, if you would like to join an existing chapter please visit http://students.barackobama.com/ and click on the find a chapter link on the right.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Thank you for all that you have done and will continue to do to ensure that Barack Obama is elected as the next President of the United States.

Candice M. Dixon
Obama Organizing Fellow
Louisiana State Coordinator
Students for Barack Obama
cdixon@studentsforbarackobama.com
(225) 341-1580

signed, sealed, deliverd

Farris — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 07:12:43 EDT

a received a strange phone call tonight, a Southern Baptist preacher, a distant acquaintance, asking me for insight.

he told me that recently, he had begun to listen to Senator Barack Obama's speeches. he told me these rallies caused him to look up Obama's policies. he told me he saw Christ's message reflected in Obama. he became an enlightened republican, what we Obama supporters affectionately call "Obamacans."

he confided in me that many in his church strongly disagreed with him. he told me that he was intimidated by the Clinton machine, and that he was afraid for the future of our nation. he asked me if i felt the same way. i do.

i told him that against all of these incredible odds, to have hope. to keep faith. to pray. nothing is impossible. Obama's support is drawn from the American people, a diverse coalition with one thing in common - desire for change.

it was a short phone call, but we both needed it.

when i got off work the other day an older couple was walking to their car. i noticed they had an Obama sticker on their bumper. suddenly, i was consumed with the desire to reach out to them. & i knew i was going to look stupid.

i ran up to the car and motioned for the man behind the wheel to roll down the window. he looked shocked, a bit scared, I really don't blame him. i introduced myself to him and told him i was involved in students for Barack Obama and he broke into a broad grin. he stepped out of the car and gave me a hug. laughing, he told me "we've just got to keep doing what we're doing!"

when i think about students for Barack Obama, I'm overwhelmed with pride for all of the students that take part in it and the love i have for them. I'm reminded of all of the great people i met in that time that led up to primaries. All of the volunteers that practically lived in 1025 Calhoun, all the hours of sleep they sacrificed, and all of the hard work they put in to ensure Obama would win the primary. I owe them so much, ultimately they were fighting tirelessly for my future.

i know that all of this has made me a better person.

these people, no matter how far away they are, no matter how much or little i know about them, no matter their gender, race, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, or economic status - they are my family. i will never forget them and i will always love them.

Video: Young voters energize election

Sam Graham-Felsen — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 19:03:22 EST

One of the most remarkable things about this campaign is the number of young people who have become politically engaged for the first time. Check out this video tribute to the young voters who are making a huge difference in this campaign...

Also, check out "Generation Obama," a video profile of a group of Boston College students and this short documentary on Students for Barack Obama.

And check out Students.BarackObama.com for updated blog coverage on how students are impacting and continue to impact the campaign.

Nevada Students Attend Mock Caucus

Michael Pipe — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 22:55:25 EST

On a cold Saturday night, students gathered at the University of Las Vegas, Nevada to learn how to caucus. Check out this video from the Mock Caucus:

Here are some pictures that our great volunteer Shawn took of the action:

To signup for a winter internship, click here.

Students Ready for Change— Hitting the Phones for Obama

Zachary Scott Edwards — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 17:26:11 EST

Tonight in Las Vegas, 25 high school and college students’ showed up at our Flamingo HQ to call young voters and talk about Barack’s commitment to change Washington.

Las Vegas Students for Barack Obama socializing before hitting the phones

It was really inspiring to see high school students asking college students about their college experience.

During the Students for Barack Obama video, the silence was amazing. After the video, while the students were socializing, they seemed to all come to the conclusions that they are part of a young movement for change, that this is their moment in history, and that their work is changing the world. After the discussion every single student who came hit the phones and started reaching out to potential supporters.

One of our phone bankers tonight was Tyler, a grad-student at Cambridge University, who is in Nevada for 10 days during his “ludicrously” long winter break. Tyler went to Stanford University as an undergrad, and while he was there he learned about his passion for education issues.

For the majority of his time there, he tutored janitors, and then eventually helped run the janitorial tutoring program called Habla el Día. He also taught under-privileged kids and learned about what it really means to give something back to your community.

Tyler decided to forward his resume to the Obama campaign because of his desire to get involved in a political campaign, and Barack’s sincere commitment to education issues.

Tyler was offered a position in the Obama education policy group-- he was officially the youngest member of the group. He ended up doing a couple reports on education programs in early states like Nevada and New Hampshire, and then a report on community colleges.

“It was extremely fulfilling to be able to contribute on a policy level and in such a substantive way. After my work on the policy group, the campaign emailed us to let us know about volunteer opportunities in early states. I figured I might as well put myself to good use, so I decided to come out to Nevada for about 10 days, and do the other side of this work for the campaign; rather than policy work, do the real important organizational work.

It has been just completely eye opening, and thrilling to be here and to see the type of work that gets done here in Nevada, and to really see firsthand what is going into our winning campaign.

When I got here, I think my first night, I made calls for a few hours, and I felt pretty proud of myself. I went and told someone and they told me about a guy named “Robot,” aka Robert, who held the record for voter contacts in one night, which kinda lit my competitive fire. I told the people I was working with that I would go big one day and try to beat him!

Robert and Tyler, two of the top phone bankers at the Obama Campaign in Nevada

Yesterday, we decided that it was finally my time and I would spend all day today making calls. So at 12:05 PM I started making calls and I ended up with nearly nine hours of phone calls!

Fortunately I brought all my food before hand, so I never had to make any food runs, or else I never would have made it!”

Tyler on hour 8, with his sandwich and water, to ensure no breaks were needed!

The work of students like Tyler, and their commitment to building a better future for everyone, is the type of work that is going to change this country. Hundreds of students across Nevada have been working for months for the Obama grassroots. Their work is ensuring a vast network of Students for Barack Obama who are hoping for change, ready for change, and working for change. They are also standing up and speaking out for the issues that are so close to Barack’s heart. The Obama campaign is going to bring back a voice for students, and it’s clear that they are ready to work for a change they can believe in.

The Nevada Caucus is January 19, 2008.

Join Students for Barack Obama in Nevada and Let’s Go Change the World

Nevada SFBO College Chapters Leading the Pack

Michael Pipe — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 17:30:59 EST

Students for Barack Obama at UNR and UNLV have built the largest grassroots organizations of any of the other Democratic presidential candidates at their respective schools. The student-run newspapers for both universities recently highlighted the achievements of each SFBO chapters.

Nevada Sagebrush

Barack Obama’s 200 versus Hillary Clinton’s 26.

... These numbers, representing members of official University of Nevada, Reno student clubs, fall out of line with national polls, where Clinton is ahead of Obama by nearly 20 percent...
... UNR political science professor Eric Herzik said Clinton is a diverse candidate too, but her ties to previous administration dismay students from supporting her.

Students tend to distrust Washington, D.C., and are looking for a completely new face, Herzik said.

"... Obama calls for a steady withdrawal of troops. This attracts students who want a practical solution to end the war, said Marysa Falk, president of Students for Barack Obama."

Rebel Yell

"I've been pleasantly surprised by the student outcome," [Sara Arthrell, junior international business major and campus representative for Barack Obama] said. "As an organization, we’re very excited about it."
The main topic students have asked Arthrell about is Obama's stance on Iraq, which has caused the official Obama headquarters to create a specific pamphlet for students and a pamphlet on Iraq.
"We are offering them a tool," Arthrell said.
Meanwhile, apart from Paul and Obama no other presidential candidate has campus representatives campaigning for them.
For Obama representatives that means the student pool is more open for conversion. They currently have 300 signed supporters. Arthrell said it’s the undecided potential voters that she is trying to reach. Her main goal is to notify students of their power to vote.
"Our main focus is to inform students on Nevada as a caucus state," Arthrell said. "You have just as much an impact as everyone."

There is still time to join your school's Students for Barack Obama group. Click here to find your chapter. If you are interested in interning in Nevada with the Obama campaign during the winter break you can click here to apply.

Brown University Backs Barack Obama

Justin Charity — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 18:48:50 EST

The Brown Daily Herald has some exciting news for young Obama enthusiasts in Rhode Island, and across the country - as of November 13th, Senator Obama wields a substantial lead in support from Brown’s undergraduate student population in the 2008 race for the White House.

“Brown undergraduates overwhelmingly favor Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., in the 2008 presidential election, according to a Herald poll conducted last week.
“37.5 percent of students said they believe Obama would make the best president of the United States, versus 18.4 percent who said they favored Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y. Former Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina came in third with 5.6 percent.”

Senator Obama has continued to enjoy strong support from college-age voters throughout the course of the campaign, and the enthusiasm from college campuses is apparently on the rise. Now the media is beginning to take notice. As Reid Wilson of the RealClearPolitics blog noted in a recent column:

"Indeed, at this weekend's Iowa Democratic Party's Jefferson Jackson Dinner, the Obama camp claimed to have brought in 3,000 supporters, many college-aged and all clad in identical red Obama t-shirts. The campaign has offices open in cities with major college campuses, and some organizers are focused solely on college-age voters."

Our campaign is ready to transform the youth vote into a political force to be reckoned with in the months to come.

Student Rewind: California Dreaming

Marc R. Peters — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 17:30:50 EST

Students for Barack Obama at the California Young Democrats Retreat
By Stephanie Chan, SFBO CA Communications Coordinator

This weekend, California SFBO treated the California Young Democrats (CYD) Tahoe Retreat to the ultimate 2- day visibility blitz.

This retreat was the place for young and like-minded political junkies to be. Students from schools all around California came together to attend workshops, network, and exuberantly socialize into the wee hours of the morning.

For California SFBO members, this retreat wasn’t simply about CYD; it was about chapter improvement and showing off a fraction of California’s 50+ different SFBO chapters’ enthusiasm.

Who else but Obama supporters would decorate a cabin with duct tape, window signs, banners, and pledge cards? According to Ryan McElhinney, no detail was overlooked; cabins looked like “an interior decorators worst nightmare” with red, white, and blue everywhere. Chico State SFBO strove for and achieved ultimate accessibility by placing literature on their stairwells, walls, and of course, restroom. Just in case cabin decorations weren’t enough, members rocked Obama stickers and buttons while passing them out like campaigning was going out of style.

Reclaiming Education for All Americans

“Every American has the right to pursue their dreams. But we also have the responsibility to make sure that our children can reach a little further and rise a little higher than we did.”

As part of his plan to reclaim the American Dream, Obama introduced this week an education plan that Sam Brill of the Yale Daily News called “visionary”:

“Obama is uniquely positioned to unite the country to reform education. Typical of his non-partisan vision, Obama sees families and schools as responsible together for educating our children.”

Senator Obama called the American Dream special because it is a shared dream, and said that we must therefore share the responsibility of providing such things as health care and the best education to all our citizens. Obama’s plan improves the opportunities for more students to go to college by simplifying the process by which they can achieve financial aid and by providing more of it. He also plans to pay teachers more and increase grants to school districts to address local needs. The SFBO Blog featured a more comprehensive review of the plan last week.

Students Create an Online Town Hall
By Luke Messac

Can't make it to Iowa or New Hampshire to talk with the candidates face-to-face? Now you don't have to: you can ask your questions on straight2thecandidates.com, a nonpartisan web site created by 16 college freshmen from across the country. This site aims to increase voter access to the Democratic and Republican presidential candidates. Users can vote for or against existing questions, or post their own in video or e-mail form. The questions which garner the most votes are periodically submitted to the candidates for a response.

To date, Senator Obama has received the most questions of any candidate, Democrat or Republican. Some of the most popular questions posed to Barack include such issues as universal health care, civil liberties, and the Iraq War. Yet the posts also deal with issues that have not been aired as much in media coverage of the presidential race, such as ethics reform, inner-city schools, and the peace process in southern Sudan. Visit the site to see if issues of concern to you are being addressed. If not, post your own question!

Winter Break Campaigning

By the time finals end this semester, Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina will all be in the final weeks before their first-in-the-nation primaries and caucuses. If you want to be a part of the Obama campaign at its most crucial moment, come spend a week or more during your break interning with the campaign in one of these states! No previous campaign experience is necessary. All you will need is your own means of transportation out there and a great work ethic! Housing is available on a limited basis, so sign up today.

In Other News…

An Iowa high school student had the once in a lifetime opportunity to introduce Senator Obama.

Students for Barack Obama teamed up with other student organizations at Johns Hopkins to run voter registration and education drives to promote student involvement in the upcoming election year.

Students’ Obama Essay Wins Scholarship

Zachary Scott Edwards — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 01:54:40 EST

“We have an obligation and a responsibility to be investing in our students and our schools. We must make sure that people who have the grades, the desire and the will, but not the money, can still get the best education possible.” --Barack Obama

Education in America is becoming more expensive each year, and students are at an ever increasing risk of not being able to attend college because of financial difficulties. Senator Obama considered this to be one of the most important problems facing our country and the first bill he introduced when elected to the Senate was a bill to increase Pell grants.

One of the Obama campaign’s supporters in Nevada, Kimberly, was facing this all too common decision about paying for college when she wrote an essay about Barack for the African American Student Leadership Conference Scholarship of 2007. She was granted the scholarship and will now be attending Spelman College in the fall of 2008 to further her education.

Congratulations Kimberly! The Obama campaign is proud of your commitment to our movement for change, and your education; which will lay the groundwork for your success in the future. Please enjoy her essay Barack Obama for President.

In this day and age the nation needs someone wise and patient, yet one who possesses the ability to manage America correctly. This nation needs a president who will not crumble or show weakness in times of crisis. Leaving part of America suffering with no insurance, in poverty, or wondering where their future lies, can no longer be an option. Though the country feels we are not ready for an African American man taking on this large role, I believe Barack Obama contains the qualities of a great leader as the next president of the United States.
Barack Obama is a Democrat devoted to progress the American people. He has seen what President Bush has done with America and vowed to do better to steer the nation onto a clear path where the issues segregating our nation can be resolved. Senator Obama has reached out to Republicans to find areas of common ground. He has been able to develop innovative approaches to challenge the status quo and achieve results.
As a survivor of poverty himself, he understands the needs of over 37 million Americans, the majority of whom are workers, but are unable to make ends meet. Obama is an advocate for the poor and while he was a community organizer as a college graduate; he worked with Chicago residents and local government to set up job training programs, plus after school activities for kids. He is committed to fighting poverty which is something my family and I face everyday. I feel that with him being president, there is a better chance for my single parent mother to not be forced to live paycheck to paycheck. Though she ensures that my brother and I always have clothes to wear and food on our table, we have no health insurance. Barrack Obama will be able to change this situation for us and the millions of families in our condition or who have it worse.
Most importantly, Senator Obama believes that greater concentration should be placed on the nation’s homeland security, something I strongly agree with. Under the Homeland Security Plan, Barrack Obama mentions that the Defense Response is priority; which will ensure that the mistakes with and after Hurricane Katrina does not happen in the future.
I along with four other family members relocated to Las Vegas, from New Orleans, Louisiana in early September of the year of 2005 to stay away from the hurricane. We did not intend to move so far away from what we knew as home all of our lives.
We were also unprepared for the after-affects of Katrina and unaware that subsequent to two years, our family as well as those in New Orleans, trying to start over would still be struggling. America needs a president to guarantee an occurrence such as what happened along the gulf coast will never come to pass again. Senator Obama cares for our nation and is committed towards enhancing and assisting all people despite economic backgrounds.
Barack Obama is an inspiration to me. After reading his autobiography, Dreams From My Father, I felt as if I knew him on a personal level. The novel encouraged me to get involved in politics and the community around me. Obama opened my eyes enough to make me want to generate a difference in my school and the world.
I know if he became president, it would give my family and me a better opportunity in life to succeed. Because of the reform programs he advocates, it will once again increase the middle class population who has fallen over the years into the poverty line. Through him, this country has the potential to be truly called the United States of America progressing over time, one step at a time.

Students’ Obama Essay Wins Scholarship

Zachary Scott Edwards — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 19:14:27 EST

In this day and age the nation needs someone wise and patient, yet one who possesses the ability to manage America correctly. This nation needs a president who will not crumble or show weakness in times of crisis. Leaving part of America suffering with no insurance, in poverty, or wondering where their future lies, can no longer be an option. Though the country feels we are not ready for an African American man taking on this large role, I believe Barack Obama contains the qualities of a great leader as the next president of the United States.
Barack Obama is a Democrat devoted to progress the American people. He has seen what President Bush has done with America and vowed to do better to steer the nation onto a clear path where the issues segregating our nation can be resolved. Senator Obama has reached out to Republicans to find areas of common ground. He has been able to develop innovative approaches to challenge the status quo and achieve results.
As a survivor of poverty himself, he understands the needs of over 37 million Americans, the majority of whom are workers, but are unable to make ends meet. Obama is an advocate for the poor and while he was a community organizer as a college graduate; he worked with Chicago residents and local government to set up job training programs, plus after school activities for kids. He is committed to fighting poverty which is something my family and I face everyday. I feel that with him being president, there is a better chance for my single parent mother to not be forced to live paycheck to paycheck. Though she ensures that my brother and I always have clothes to wear and food on our table, we have no health insurance. Barrack Obama will be able to change this situation for us and the millions of families in our condition or who have it worse.
Most importantly, Senator Obama believes that greater concentration should be placed on the nation’s homeland security, something I strongly agree with. Under the Homeland Security Plan, Barrack Obama mentions that the Defense Response is priority; which will ensure that the mistakes with and after Hurricane Katrina does not happen in the future.
I along with four other family members relocated to Las Vegas, from New Orleans, Louisiana in early September of the year of 2005 to stay away from the hurricane. We did not intend to move so far away from what we knew as home all of our lives.
We were also unprepared for the after-affects of Katrina and unaware that subsequent to two years, our family as well as those in New Orleans, trying to start over would still be struggling. America needs a president to guarantee an occurrence such as what happened along the gulf coast will never come to pass again. Senator Obama cares for our nation and is committed towards enhancing and assisting all people despite economic backgrounds.
Barack Obama is an inspiration to me. After reading his autobiography, Dreams From My Father, I felt as if I knew him on a personal level. The novel encouraged me to get involved in politics and the community around me. Obama opened my eyes enough to make me want to generate a difference in my school and the world.
I know if he became president, it would give my family and me a better opportunity in life to succeed. Because of the reform programs he advocates, it will once again increase the middle class population who has fallen over the years into the poverty line. Through him, this country has the potential to be truly called the United States of America progressing over time, one step at a time.

Student Rewind: A Change is Gonna Come

Marc R. Peters — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 14:56:02 EST

Senator Obama showed students that he will bring about change we can believe in at Converse College Saturday.

Student voters in Georgia harassed

“From the day I take office as President, America will have a Justice Department that is truly dedicated to the work it began in the days after Little Rock. I will rid the department of ideologues and political cronies, and for the first time in eight years, the Civil Rights Division will actually be staffed with civil rights lawyers who prosecute civil rights violations, and employment discrimination, and hate crimes. And we’ll have a Voting Rights Section that actually defends the right of every American to vote without deception or intimidation. When flyers are placed in our neighborhoods telling people to vote on the wrong day, that won’t only be an injustice, it will be a crime.” ---Barack Obama, Howard University Convocation 9/28/2007

Students for Barack Obama is committed to changing the political landscape by getting students more engaged and involved in the process. And because SFBO has been so successful, it comes as a shock when we hear news about student voters being intimidated and threatened while trying to vote. It's hard to fathom that happening in 2007.

According to the National Campaign for Fair Elections students at Georgia Southern University in Statesboro "have been the victims of challenges to their registration, threats, intimidation, and have faced police officers stationed outside and inside early polling places all because they had the nerve to want to vote in local elections."

Change in North Carolina

In North Carolina this week students from rival universities came together to welcome Senator Obama and start counting down to change.

Students from UNC-Chapel Hill and N.C. Central, N.C. State, Duke and N.C. A&T universities crowded the field and the bleachers to hear the words of the man in whom they have put their trust.

"To see a lot of young people here excited about change and the future is really encouraging," said Stephen McIntyre, a UNC-CH law student.

Debate at Drexel

Drexel University students welcomed the Democratic presidential contenders for this week's debate on their campus. In an online campus poll immediately after the debate Senator Obama won with 47% of students responding saying he had the best performance of the night.

Cornell not divided into red and blue

Cornell did not have the honor of hosting a real live Presidential debate…so they substituted student supporters for candidates. Senator Obama had two student representatives taking part:

Matthews Grosshans '11 characterized Senator Obama as a charismatic and inspirational speaker who could restore the American electorate's faith in the country's government.

"Obama appeals to the core values that unite all Americans instead of dividing the citizenry into blue and red states," said Grosshans, referencing Obama's keynote address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention.

In other news…

Obama participates in MTV/MySpace Forum with Iowa college students

Georgetown University's star center Roy Hibbert may follow in Obama's footsteps

Hibbert looks forward to tossing his mortarboard in the air at graduation next spring, not the type of sentiment one hears every day from a big-time college athlete. Hibbert, though, said he could put his degree to good use down the road.

He has been keeping tabs on the 2008 presidential campaign and went to hear the Democratic candidate Barack Obama speak twice.

"After basketball, maybe you might see me running for governor or mayor, something like that," Hibbert said, his eyes and smile as wide as can be. "I won't go so far as to say president, because that's kind of cliché. But you never know what will happen."

The Chicago Tribune reports on candidates courting the youth vote in Iowa.

Want more Students for Barack Obama?

Check out Students.BarackObama.com throughout the week for daily updates.

Highlights from MTV/MySpace Dialogue

Sam Graham-Felsen — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 10:51:46 EDT

Here are a few highlights from yesterday's MTV/MySpace Presidential Dialogue with Barack.

In this clip, Barack discusses the critical issue of net neutrality:

In this clip, Barack discusses how he would repair America's reputation in the world and turn the page on foreign policy:

And here's a video of the post-Dialogue rally at Coe College:

Claflin University

Lisa Beyer — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 23:33:06 EDT

Fitsnews Exclusive: Claflin University: Would-Be “Students For Barack Obama”

Times And Democrat: Claflin University Student Asked The University's Administration About Forming An Obama Supporter Group On Campus And Was Denied

UNR Students for Barack Obama Turn Out to Historic Mockus

Michael Pipe — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 19:10:02 EDT

Last night, the University of Nevada, Reno, hosted an educational meeting to discuss the upcoming Democratic Caucus, otherwise known as a Mock Caucus. Nevada Democrats have less than ninety days to pick their candidate and turn out to caucus sites on January 19, 2008. The UNR chapter of Students for Barack Obama were present at yesterday's Mock Caucus. Here's a report from SFBO president Marysa Falk.

The University of Nevada, Reno was home to a major event tonight - UNR held it's first Mock Caucus! The "mockus", as it's sometimes referred to, was sponsored by the UNR Young Democrats and local and state Democratic leaders. We set up a table at the event and it attracted a significant amount of people asking questions and joining the campaign. We'll usually have a sign up sheet or two filled with names and email addresses. Tonight we had a few people sign pledge cards. Each one is like gold to the campaign.

The Mockus was designed to get university students prepared for the early Nevada Caucus to be held on January 19, 2008. Several UNR clubs and campaigns participated to spread more knowledge of their cause. Rachel Miller, President of the UNR Young Democrats (voted number one club on campus for 2006-2007), said, "I think it's really great that the candidates who have campaigns in Reno were able to attend. I saw a lot of interaction with students and as always the Obama table seemed to have a lot of interest and people always surrounding their table."

Overall the Mockus added another ten members to the club as well as four pledge cards! "It's a grassroots campaign. We attend as many events as possible, get a small amount of students registered for the SFBO club and get a few people to sign a pledge card and we build this group one member at a time." said Vice-President of the club Maritza Perez.

Thanks to the amazing work that you and the other members of UNR Students for Barack Obama are doing. You're going to change the world.

UNLV Students Organize for Barack on Campus

Michael Pipe — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 20:05:16 EDT

Chapters of Students for Barack Obama are forming in high schools and colleges all across the country. Students here in Nevada are eager to organize and spread the word about Barack. The University of Nevada, Reno has been featured on the Nevada blog before and has a fantastic grassroots presence on campus. Their bretheren and sisters in the south are organizing the campus of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Sara Arthrell, president of Students for Barack Obama at UNLV, spoke with me for a few minutes after a meeting the group held in the Student Union. Check out some of our interview below:

To learn more about Students for Barack Obama in Nevada and how you can get involved please email Nevada Youth Vote Director Justo Robles (email).

Rebel Pride

Michael Pipe — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 17:52:33 EDT

After Barack finished up his first leg of his "One Day Two Cities" swing through Nevada, Obama supporters joined in the festivities on the UNLV campus.

It's Homecoming Week at UNLV and students, faculty, and administrators enjoyed some food and music on campus today.

Students for Barack Obama were busy signing up supporters and handing out tickets for the Las Vegas Community Event with Barack Obama tonight. Nathan from Las Vegas (above) manned the Obama table for an hour or two and answer questions about Barack's policies and positions.

I'm headed off to the Las Vegas event right now! I'll see you there!

Texting the Vote at Dartmouth

Tim Foley — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 16:10:42 EDT

Autumn on a college campus is a busy time of transition for first year and returning students. With new classes and a new year’s worth of extracurricular activities to schedule, appointments can easily be forgotten or missed.

But college students in New Hampshire have an additional responsibility that’s too important to be lost in the shuffle – the responsibility to register to vote and actively participate in a Presidential primary for the first time in their lives.

Last night, students at Dartmouth College had the opportunity to register to vote on campus. Town clerks set up shop in the Collis Center, the center of student life. A number of students, however, nearly missed their chance

Luckily, the students had signed up for the Obama campaign text messaging program. We sent them reminders throughout the day, including information on what IDs they needed in order to register, and a “last chance” reminder half an hour before registration closed.

A number of students hadn’t seen the notices about the on-campus registration on Blitz or in their inboxes. They only showed up because they received a text reminder.

Nick, class of ’11, was particularly impressed. “I got my text message before I got an email about voter registration.”

Sean, a member of Dartmouth Students for Obama, agreed. “It’s a cool little reminder.”

If you’re one of thousands for whom text messaging is the best way to reach you, text “NH” to 62262 (OBAMA), and we’ll keep you up to date with events in your area. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Barack inspires 4,000 in Madison

Sam Graham-Felsen — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 17:22:28 EDT

(AP Photo/Andy Manis)

Details from the Wisconsin State Journal:

Presidential candidate Barack Obama greeted an overflow crowd of 4,000 in Madison today — with a sports joke:
"Never before have this many Packers fans cheered for a Bears fan," the U.S. senator from Illinois told the throng of college students and others.
He quickly shifted gears, and appealed for help in his campaign for the Democratic Party nomination.
"I want to bring about a better America, and I need you to make that happen Madison," the Democrat said.
Organizers are calling the campaign event the largest student-driven event the Obama campaign has held.
More than 300 people were lined up to see Obama at the Monona Terrace Convention Center before the doors opened this morning at 9:30 a.m. and by 11 a.m. more than 1,000 were waiting for admittance to an overflow area.
Audience members said they were impressed by the charisma Obama sustained throughout the 48-minute speech.
He won applause with jabs at President Bush, the Iraq War and special interest groups. He also stirred the audience with promises of health care for all Americans and better pay for educators.
He mixed in examples and stories from his life that underscored his message of millions of individuals uniting to effect change.
"I will open up the doors of government and ask you to participate in our democracy," Obama said. "I'm not just asking you to trust in my ability to lead this country. I'm also asking you to trust in yourselves."
... At about 11 a.m., Bryon Eagon, a UW-Madison sophomore and organizer of Students for Barack Obama, announced to the crowd that more than 2,000 students were in attendance, with about 1,000 still lined up to get into an overflow area of the event.
"For many of us, this is the first time that we've found a candidate we can really care about," Eagon said. "But more importantly, we've found a candidate who really cares about us."

A welcome break from midterms...

Marc R. Peters — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 18:13:02 EDT

Yesterday, college students in my home state of Maryland skipped a night of studying (gasp). These students did not simply blow off work. These students got actively engaged in the democratic process.

Taking advantage of a rare presidential campaign event in Maryland, students from colleges and high schools from all around the state showed up in Prince George's County to see Barack Obama speak about his vision for America:

"He's definitely appealing to college students. He's doing things to reach us, and that's appreciated," said Trisha Chakraborty, 18, a freshman at the Johns Hopkins University who drove 40 miles south with several classmates. "I'm looking for someone fresh and new, who's not jaded by the process," she said.

Step 1: Network With Other Supporters

Matthew Henry — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 17:44:21 EDT

I hosted an interest group meeting today at LCCC. We now have 2 more members. Although it's less than the 7 I had hoped for, I'm still satisfied with the results. This group is slowly forming into an active organization. I hope to host a meeting with all the members early next week to organize our next step. The most important thing at this point will be to bring at least another 5 Barack supporters out into the open so that we can charter the group with the school and begin official activities like voter registration, banners, and hosting informational and fundraising events.

Sapphire

Jacob Hart — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 17:04:03 EDT

When my wife and I were engaged, we went around to various ring shops to look for a style that would suit her. The emotions we felt while trying to choose a diamond ring ranged from exhausted and fed up to smiling and laughing. We would ask the salesperson, "Do you have something quietly elegant, rather than large and gaudy?" The salesperson would nod their head and pick up a ring seemingly at random. "This isn't exactly like how you described, but look, it doesn't catch on a sweater!"

After a full day of ring shopping ended, my wife had a few possibilities, but didn't seem sure. I said, "It seems like you are just picking out of the options available, but you don't actively want any of the ones we saw today. Why don't we start from scratch and re-think the whole thing?" It turned out that's exactly what had happened. We ended up forgetting about diamonds altogether, and instead found a beautiful sunset sapphire that my wife really likes. It isn't just the best out of a lot of mediocre options, it's exactly what she wanted. Now her wedding ring is more significant than a diamond formality - it represents something more personal.

In getting to know the candidates for President of the United States, I was reminded of this experience. In most elections I find myself choosing the best out of a lot of mediocre or similar options. I'd think, "well, this candidate isn't exactly what I wanted, but I guess it's the best one available," or "This candidate isn't exactly how I described, but look, it doesn't catch on a sweater!"

Even before Barack Obama threw his hat into the ring, I hoped he would run for president. As far as candidates go, he is a sapphire - I had never been inspired and made proud of our country by a politician before. In fact, modern politicians had usually made me feel somewhat hopeless about our country.

But now, I believe in America - I think with the right leadership, we can become a symbol of hope and goodwill throughout the world. And I really believe that the leadership that will do that starts with President Barack Obama.

That's why I support Barack Obama for president.

Young People Don't Vote

Justin Charity — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 11:45:57 EDT

Young people don't vote. It's a a foregone conclusion. We're fed up with politics of division and fear and feel like even if we cast a vote, we remain unheard. Right?

But the youth turnout keeps rising, and considering
the effect a large youth vote could have on Senator Obama's prospects for success, the media is starting to take notice. CBS political reporter Brian Montopoli
writes about the "hidden vote," represented by young voters who pollsters
overlook in traditional surveys and polling samples.

"To reap the rewards of that appeal, [Obama] needs to convince those
voters to register as Democrats and show up at the caucuses. Since
the total number of voters is relatively small -- in 2004, about
100,000 Iowans participated in the Democratic caucuses -- it doesn't
take a huge number of new supporters to swing the vote in a
candidate's favor."

Senator Obama certainly seems able to bring his fair share of new supporters
into the process. Iowa Democratic Party Chairman Gordon
Fischer said,

"In all my many years of political activity I have
not seen a candidate with Obama's talent. I have not seen young
people as excited about a candidate, including Dean. He's just on a
different level. He's so energized young people, and it's not just
young people -- there's minorities, independents, even some
Republicans, people who don't normally caucus."

Younger voters seem to be tuning into the process much more
enthusiastically these days, and they've shown themselves to be
particularly enthusiastic about Barack Obama. The Des Moines Register
recently profiled one Iowa high school junior, 17-year-old Jordan
Welder of Waukee High School, about the upcoming election season:

"Jordan's political awakening came after he was introduced, by way of
a campaign speech on DVD, to Illinois Democratic Sen. Barack Obama.
Here was a presidential candidate who seemed trustworthy and real to
Jordan. When he went to see Obama in person, Jordan decided he
believed what the senator said about changing politics and uniting
voters...

"Jordan has had contact with the Obama campaign's Dallas County
organizer, but he said all of the ideas for the group's activities
have come from its members. The group got positive reactions marching
in the homecoming parade on Sept. 20, and Jordan hopes members can
start attending rallies together.

"'I really want to take it to the next level', he said."

Transforming cynicism into enthusiasm is no small feat, but like Jordan, we can turn conventional wisdom on its head.

Student Rewind (Sept. 23-30)

Marc R. Peters — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 15:54:46 EDT

This was an action packed week for Students for Barack Obama featuring a 24,000 person rally with Senator Obama, a convocation address, a Walk for Change, and the many many other efforts of students on campuses across the country.

On Thursday, Senator Obama spoke in Washington Square Park, smack dab in the middle of New York University’s campus. Syracuse University alumnus Ericka Mitton was in attendance:

“Obama walked on stage to Kanye West’s “Touch The Sky,” and immediately made his political agenda clear. He painted the landscape of his platform and the masses cheered to hear a leader that shared their ideals.”

Senator Obama also paid a visit to Howard University to deliver an address for convocation. He called upon the students to not just reflect on a history of action, but to work with urgency for equality for all students and all people across the country.

Students from Howard joined with their peers from American, George Washington and Georgetown and members of DC for Obama for a 8-hour bus ride to South Carolina this weekend.

Bharat Krishnan, an American University freshman, said that the trip opened his eyes to a part of the country previously foreign to him:

I realized just how different South Carolina is compared to northern Virginia. I came across a 5-year-old girl who informed us we couldn’t talk to her daddy because he was in jail. I came across an old grandma who had never heard of Barack Obama, but said that elections were important to her and she wanted to know more. Surprisingly, a lot of people had never heard of Barack Obama.

More people across the country will be hearing about him as we continue to Walk for Change and as we all come together to support Barack Obama.

And now...

Featured Student of the Week: Sara Haile-Mariam

Sara Haile-Mariam, a junior at NYU, has found hope in Barack Obama:

“I think that my generation is often underestimated,” said Sara. “We see the hypocrisy of Washington and I feel like the majority of us would argue that if a little bit of reason was applied to the issues plaguing our country, our world- we could collectively move towards concrete resolutions.”

She was not satisfied sitting on the sidelines of the campaign. Sara picked up a pen and crafted a poem about what she could do with a five dollar donation and started to think what could be accomplished if all Obama supporters simply made a donation of $5. After setting up a fundraising page using My.BarackObama.com, Sara got creative in her efforts and created a YouTube ad to promote her five buck campaign. Thus far Sara has raised over $1300:

My message to the Students for Barack Obama is this -- don't let the media, the skeptics, the pundits -- disillusion you. There are so many of us rallying together -- if each one of us was to step up and do something extraordinary, to act on our hope, then perhaps those skeptical voices would quiet.

Also in the news:

Missouri University’s Barack-a-que
USC’s Barack the Vote concert
UMass canvasses NH
Southern Illinois University offers a class on Obama's Rise
Senator Obama draws support from HBCUs

Howard University's 140th Convocation

Justin Charity — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 00:50:56 EDT

"It's not enough just to look back in wonder of how far we've come -- I want us to look ahead with a fierce urgency of how far we have left to go." ---Barack Obama @ Howard University 9/28/2007

Yesterday, Howard University welcomed Barack Obama to its 140th opening convocation ceremony, where Senator Obama delivered the morning's keynote address and also received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from university president H. Patrick Swygert.

Speaking at one of America's most celebrated historically-black colleges, Obama noted that "there are few other universities that have played so central a role in breaking down yesterday's barriers and inching this country closer to the ideals we see inscribed on the monuments throughout this city."

In addition to extending his congratulations and best wishes for the academic year ahead, Senator Obama issued a call-to-arms for ALL students across the country:

"No single law can erase the prejudice in the heart of a child who hangs a noose on a tree; or the callousness of a prosecutor who bypasses justice in the pursuit of vengeance. No one leader, no matter how shrewd or experienced, can prevent teenagers from killing other teenagers on the streets of our cities; or free our neighborhoods from the grip of hopelessness; or make real the promise of opportunity and equality for every citizen. Only a country can do these things."

From crime, to inequality, to the case of the Jena Six in Louisiana, Senator Obama offered examples of the issues that divide us alongside an inspiring reminder of our own power to push past such divisions:

"I would not have driven out to Chicago after college to organize jobless neighborhoods if I didn't believe this was possible. I wouldn't have organized a voter registration drive, or become a civil rights lawyer, or a constitutional law professor, or a state Senator, or a U.S. Senator if I didn't believe this was possible. I would not be standing here today if I didn't believe this was possible. And I know that you believe it's possible too."

First Nevada SFBO Chapter Ready to Go

Michael Pipe — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 18:45:00 EDT

The first University chapter of Students for Barack Obama has been founded in Nevada. Our newest addition is an SFBO group at the University of Nevada, Reno.

I spoke with Marysa, the Chapter President, about her goals for the group. A sophomore studying political science and public relations, Marysa says she'll focus on getting as many students to sign pledge cards and then turn them out to the Nevada Caucus on January 19, 2008.

Following in Barack's footsteps, Marysa also wants to run a voter registration drive at the university. (Barack was not much older then Marysa when he led a voter registration drive during his time as a community organizerin Chicago.)

Marysa was able to meet Barack when he stopped into Elko on August 06, 2007. She had the priviledge of introducing him and then speaking with him backstage. Marysa is second from left in the photo below. All four of the students in the photo were interns at the Elko campaign office last the summer. Obama Nevada Field Director Michael Moffo said they played a pivotal role in "driving the Elko Train" towards victory on Caucus Day.

Here's what Marysa had to say about the picture she emailed me: "(From L to R) Boris, me, Barack, Maritza, Jed. Boris and Jed were very active volunteers and Boris spoke before I gave the more formal introduction to Barack in Elko. Also, Maritza and Jed spoke a few minutes before Boris and I about pledge cards." Maritza is the Get-Out-The-Vote Coordinator for the campus.

If you attend the University of Nevada, Reno, and want to help organize the campus for Barack Obama, send an email with your Name, Year, and Major to Marysa (Email).

Also, to learn more about SFBO at the University of Nevada, Reno, join the MyBO and Facebook groups that have been started:

UNR Students for Obama (MyBO Group)

UNR Students for Obama (Facebook Group)

If you are interested in setting up a SFBO chapter at your school please email the Nevada Youth Vote Director Justo Robles at jrobles@barackobama.com.

iCHANGE Wrap-Up

Matt Lehrich, NH Obama Staff — Sun, 23 Sep 2007 14:02:28 EDT

More than 40 students and young adults came together yesterday for our iCHANGE Back to School Kickoff canvass. Knocking on doors in neighborhoods around Keene and Manchester, the students shared their belief in Barack’s message of change in face-to-face conversations with New Hampshire voters.

Michael, a Windham resident and St. Anselm’s College student said he decided to canvass today because “this is going to be such an important election, and Obama has the right approach to problems to be president.”

Adding to the day’s experience was the debut of our Obama Mobile text messaging in New Hampshire. Throughout the day, canvassers received helpful hints and interacted with campaign staff via text message.

Tufts freshman Logan said, “It was motivational. It felt like there was someone else with you.”

Rob had a briefer endorsement: “Pretty cool.”

The whole group seemed to agree that their favorite tip that they received by text message reminded them to “Smile -- you’re the face of the campaign.”

“It was a welcome reminder out there after a long day of canvassing,” Chelsea chimed in.

You can sign up for updates with the campaign about events and TV appearances by texting “NH” to OBAMA (62262).

PRESS RELEASE: Major Vermont Political Figures Endorse Barack Obama for President

Mark Wiznitzer — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 17:06:46 EDT

PRESS RELEASE5:00PM, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2007

** Major Vermont Political Figures Endorse Barack Obama for President**

Burlington, VT, September 11, 2007

Vermont State Attorney General William H. Sorrell and Vermont State Treasurer Jeb Spaulding, as well as Former Burlington Mayor Peter Clavelle, will announce their endorsement of Illinois Senator Barack Obama’s candidacy for President at a political rally and organizing party tomorrow evening. Obama was the top political fundraiser in the state during the first six month of the year, collecting more than all other candidates of both parties combined. He also won a poll conducted by the Vermont Democratic Party, which announced on August 1 that Obama had 36% of some 800 votes cast.

Sorrell has served as Attorney General since he was appointed to the position in May 1997, and was subsequently re-elected five times. In 2004-2005 he served as president of President of the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG), which had given him the Kelley-Wyman Award for being the “Outstanding Attorney General” in 2003.

Jeb Spaulding was first elected Treasurer in 2002, having served eight terms in the State Senate from 1985-2000. A University of Vermont graduate, he was a founder and General Manager of WNCS-FM in Montpelier and a general partner in Precision Media, Inc., which owned and operated radio stations in New England, for many years.

Peter Clavelle served seven terms as mayor of Burlington from 1989 to 2006, having previously served as Director of Community and Economic Development in the administration of then-Mayor Bernie Sanders. Clavelle, who now assists in community development projects abroad, won an EPA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006 and Champlain College’s Distinguished Citizen Award in 2007.

Vermonters for Obama, a grassroots organization made up entirely of local volunteers, has scheduled a “Club Obama Organizing Party” from 6-9PM on Wednesday, September 12 at Club Metronome (above Nectar’s), 188 Main Street in Burlington. The group has already collected signatures to ensure that Obama’s name appears on the March 4, 2008 Democratic Presidential Primary, and has participated in neighborhood canvassing, both in Vermont and New Hampshire. The party, at which the three senior politicians will officially announce their support, will feature big screen presentations of the candidate, music, and Obama merchandise. The event is open to the public.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For information regarding this press release contact:

Mark Wiznitzer at 571 277-7248 or

Neil Jensen (Vermonters For Obama Group Administrator) at 802-377-9638

Students for Barack Obama Rewind (Round III)

Marc R. Peters — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 20:50:23 EDT

South Carolina State University students register to vote, part of Obama for America’s student vote drive.

University of Missouri’s SFBO chapter receives pledges from their classmates to vote for Senator Obama.

It took a while, but I guess we rewound the tape far enough back that people are starting to come to the same conclusion that we here at SFBO came to long ago: Barack Obama is running the most aggressive campaign for the student vote.

The Concord Monitor specifically cited Obama for America’s extraordinary efforts in an article on presidential candidates courting the student vote .

Even the Students for Barack Obama blog is getting in the action with a shout-out on the FutureMajority.com.

The Emory Wheel, Emory University’s student newspaper, highlighted the school’s Students for Barack Obama chapter in a recent article.

And praise for students isn’t limited to our enthusiasm at SFBO events. We are showing up everywhere. At a recent Generation Obama fundraiser in San Francisco, students filled the balcony.

Elsewhere in the country, South Carolina high school students were partying like BarackStars this week calling their friends and urging them to vote. And University of Missouri Students for Barack Obama are getting their classmates to pledge to vote for our candidate.

And now for a new feature of SFBO Rewind...STUDENT OF THE WEEK!

Student of the Week: Natalie Rojas

Natalie Rojas, a student at the University of California at Santa Cruz, was recently named SFBO’s California State Coordinator. She is an active participant in College Democrats and the Santa Cruz County Democratic Central Committee, and has served in leadership roles within both organizations.

“California is a very forward-thinking, progressive state,” said Natalie. “Students here are especially hungry for change, and Senator Obama offers the type of new ideas and fresh perspectives that will win their votes.”

Natalie plans to spread Obama’s message in a way that resonates with students. She will highlight the senator’s grasp of the issues that students care about, ranging from the environment to health care.

We welcome Natalie to her new role and wish her the best of luck!

Stay tuned to Students.BarackObama.com for daily updates on SFBO...

Students for Barack Obama High School Leaders Meeting

Eric Gallager — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 15:14:42 EDT

Yesterday in the Manchester office I went to a meeting with other Students for Barack Obama High School Leaders. A lot of people recognized me from the John McCain event when I asked McCain about his age. I haven't actually managed to get a group set up at my school for Obama because we haven't been able to get a faculty adviser, but some of the materials we got at the training might help. At the training we talked about community organizing and campaining with Kristina Althoff. Jim Demers also told us about his campaigning experience and his thoughts on the race. I mentioned again that Obama should come to my school regardless of how poorly the McCain event might have gone.

Video: Students for Barack Obama

Sam Graham-Felsen — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 13:10:41 EDT

In February, Barack spoke to a packed room of grassroots student supporters at George Mason University. It was the beginning of a remarkable journey for Students for Barack Obama, which has grown to more than 550 chapters nationwide.

"At each and every juncture of our history, somebody has been audacious enough to say we can do something different," Barack told the students, "And more often than not, it's been young people who've done it."

Watch the video and see why Barack Obama is engaging young people like no other candidate in recent memory:

Share the video with your friends and check out Students.BarackObama.com to see how you can get involved.

Students for Barack Obama: We can do something different...

Marc R. Peters — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 11:24:15 EDT

At each and every juncture of our history, somebody's been audacious enough to say, "We can do something different." And more often than not it's been young people who have done it. ---Barack Obama

Thanks to the hard work of students from all around the country, from Illinois to Iowa, from Maryland to Michigan, from Connecticut to California, Students for Barack Obama has grown to more than 550 chapters nationwide.

Words do not do nearly enough to express the level of anticipation and excitement present on campuses all over the United States. We need to make it crystal clear to our classmates that we need Barack Obama to secure a better future for not only students, but for all Americans.

We've created a short video featuring some of Senator Obama’s speeches, his thoughts on getting young people involved in the political process, and conversations with students. This fight is not his alone. We need to stand next to Barack Obama in this campaign. Take a simple step toward getting involved in the political process by checking out the video and sharing it with your friends!

Click the picture above for the video.

Blog 1: Obama-rama, Santa Barbara Rally

Melissa Jenna — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 23:42:27 EDT

Hey all!

I just had the best Saturday of my life. I was hot. I was sweaty. I developed a nasty sunburn, but it was hands-down the best Saturday of my life thus far.

Today I had the privilege to experience Senator Obama in a way that I never had before; I (along with my district coordinator Walter Heath, and our phone-bank coordinator Molly Coleman) drove from San Luis down to Santa Barbara to listen to Senator Obama speak.

I'm telling you, people: if you haven't had the pleasure of being in his company and listening to the man speak, you, my friend, are missing out on your best Saturday of your life thus far! He is my generation's JFK, and I am just so proud to be able to support such a great, great man. Barack Obama embodies everything that I hope to be as a person, and everything that we need from a leader. He speaks from the heart and leads by example, and that is the very definition of a great man. He is IT, folks.

I supported him from well before today's rally, and I had the good fortune of meeting him back in July at the Citadel in South Carolina, but today did it. Today really solidified it for me. Never in my life have I felt such admiration and respect for someone that I don't even know personally. Barack is someone that the nation (not just the democratic party) can trust to get behind and work for. Barack is the solution for America.

But here's the catch: we are the solution for Barack (or, his victory anyway). That's why I've decided to start a chapter of Students for Barack Obama at my college, as well as volunteer my time working in California congressional district 23. Let's face it: I'm a college student with almost no disposable income; all I've really got is time and energy, but I am more than happy to give as much of that as I can muster to support the man that is going to bring this country back together into something that we can all once again be proud of.

The key to secure Barack as the leader of our nation is organization. The keys to organization are people like us- people who are willing to give of their time, and- for those of us that are able- their financial support. People who are looking for a better America for themselves and their children. People who are willing to work to drive change instead of just complaining about the state of our nation with no interest in sacrificing a little of themselves to effect that change.

"They" will not give us the change we're looking for- the change we need. We are going to have to work for it, we're going to have to organize together, meet and make friends with folks we mightn't never met before, but who share our values and hopes nonetheless. We need to get together on our own time and on our own volition to make this change happen. We are so very lucky to have each other in this effort, and I want to thank every one of your who is working with us, even though we may never meet each other, because it is us driving this change.

We are so lucky to have a leader who is brave enough and complete enough and committed enough to stand up to Old Washington and bring us with him into the unified and prosperous America that we are all working so hard for. We are so very lucky to have a man that is full of integrity, character and vitality to lead us into the America that we deserve. We are just so lucky to have a leader who is dedicated to our United States- so dedicated that he is willing to give all of his time to delivering to us the America that we know is in our grasp. Barack Obama is IT. And he needs us.

We are the Obama campaign, and we decide whether or not we get the change we need. He can't make the phone-calls for us, he can't knock on doors for us, and he can't spread our message to every one that needs to hear it. That's our job. So if you haven't already, you need to contact your congressional district coordinator and ask the question: "how can I help?" That's it. Get involved. Help Barack bring us the future we deserve. Help Barack help us. I mean, heck, it's the least we can do!

Melissa

Students get relief

Sam Graham-Felsen — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 19:46:19 EDT

Very good news for students (and parents) yesterday:

Congress gave final approval to a broad overhaul of federal student loan programs today, sharply cutting subsidies to lenders and increasing grants to needy students...
The legislation, hammered out in a House-Senate conference committee this week, alters many of the ground rules for financing higher education, offering forgiveness on student loans to graduates who work for 10 years or more in public service professions like teaching, firefighting and the police, and limiting monthly payments on their loans to 15 percent of their discretionary income. It also raises the maximum Pell grant, the basic federal grant for middle- and low-income students, to $5,400 from its current level of $4,310 over the next four years. To pay for the changes it slashed federal subsidies to lenders by roughly $20 billion.

It's good to see that this generation, which has been drowning in debt, is finally getting some relief and that Congress is prioritizing young people over the private student loan lobby.

Barack has been a champion of college affordability from his first day in the Senate. In fact, the very first bill he introduced was aimed at increasing Pell Grants to help students pay for school.

This is yet another reason why Barack is resonating with so many young people -- instead of ignoring them (as so many politicians have done in the past), he's speaking to the issues that directly affect them.

Check out Students.BarackObama.com for a student perspective on today's news and to learn how you can get involved in the campaign on your campus. And if you're a Facebook user, add our Facebook application to get the word out to your friends.

Students for Barack Obama Rewind

Marc R. Peters — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 10:25:52 EDT

Here's a look at what Students for Barack Obama chapters have been up to this week...

Indiana communications coordinator Justin Trensnowski, a senior at Notre Dame, had an opinion-editorial published in the South Bend Tribune.

Meanwhile, the University of Wisconsin Students for Barack Obama chapter was highlighted in their campus newspaper.

Students from all over the country registered new SFBO members at their campuses. Southwestern University held its first SFBO meeting on campus.

Georgetown University student Chris Dodge got a shout-out in the Georgetown Independent.

Obama for America launched a week-long drive to register (at least) 1,000 student voters in South Carolina.

Howard University student Brittany Washington (on the far left) sat down to dinner with Barack.

More to come as the semester rolls on...

A New Golden State Warrior

Carey Markoe (SFBO) — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 15:54:33 EDT

We at the SFBO blog team would like to extend our congratulations to new California State Coordinator, Natalie Rojas. Natalie, a student at the University of California at Santa Cruz, is an active member of the Santa Cruz County Democratic Central Committee, as well as the College Democrats - and serves in the leadership of both.

"California is a very forward-thinking, progressive state," said Natalie. She said that Obama understands the needs of students - from health care to the environment.

Natalie plans to campaign throughout California in order to spread our candidate's message of change. She acknowledges that there are some obstacles that she needs to overcome, but she's ready to work for success. It's clear that with the help of talented people like Natalie, this movement is changing the way that politics is done.

Student rewind...

Marc R. Peters — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 20:32:12 EDT

Here's a look at what Students for Barack Obama chapters have been up to this week...

Senator Obama swings through Kentucky drawing student supporters to a rally in Lexington.

University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill)'s newly founded Students for Barack Obama chapter held its first organizational meeting.

The "Barack Chalk Jayhawks" welcome the senator to Kansas. The organization is currently working on putting together a trip to Iowa and organizing a Fall benefit concert, "Barack and Roll."

Florida A&M University students follow in footsteps of alumni activists and rally behind Barack's candidacy.

SFBO members out in full force in New Hampshire.

In case you missed it...Obama on the Daily Show

Marc R. Peters — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 15:31:45 EDT

If you want a completely unbiased and boring report about Barack Obama’s performance on the Daily Show, you probably should not be getting it from the Students For Barack Obama site. However, if you want to see it for yourself and make your own decision, well, that we can help you with. Click on the screenshot above to see Obama’s stellar performance:

We asked our entire blog team to write up their own brief opinions, and after carefully sorting through all of those that were submitted, we picked the best:

“I thought that Obama really did an incredible job incorporating humor as well as seriousness into what turned out to be a great performance.”- Carey

"Obama addressed the core of what is wrong with our political system when he noted that too often political debate is not 'on the level.' It's so inspiring to see a sincere leader remain so even in a grueling campaign season laced with so much opportunity for gamesmanship. History shows us that serious problems are only solved when we have faith enough in one another to tell the truth; Barack continues to offer this brand of leadership to the American people." – Luke

“Barack Obama's performance on the Daily Show made me feel like anything was possible no matter what the odds. I felt the Cubs could win the World Series, I felt like Saturday Night Live could once again be funny, and I felt that a young, charismatic, brilliant politician could change the world.”- Jason

Introducing...Josh Darr

Marc R. Peters — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 21:07:34 EDT

Hey guys,

I wanted to take this opportunity to introduce to you our latest addition to the blog team: Josh Darr. Josh is a junior at Boston College and the Massachusetts State Coordinator for Students for Barack Obama:

"For that is our unyielding faith - that in the face of impossible odds, people who love their country can change it." -- Barack Obama

    The first book I received at Boston College was "Dreams from my Father," Senator Obama's powerful memoir. We were fortunate enough to have him as the convocation speaker for my freshman class. He spoke eloquently and powerfully, and made a significant impression on me. I watched him from far away and wondered if my choice of a political science major could lead me to such a career, speaking powerfully in front of huge crowds (as he did at the 2004 Democratic National Convention), changing young people's lives through my words and actions. It made me hopeful that this education I was about to receive would be more than another four years in school: it would start me down a path, one that I hoped could lead to a better future for myself and my country.

    Two years later, I find myself deeply immersed in Senator Obama's campaign to become president, and absolutely certain in my choice of major and career path.

    My involvement in this campaign has borne out the unflagging sense of American optimism that first drew me to the Senator. I joined the Facebook group for Students for Barack Obama in October 2006, and asked to be Boston College Director. I met with the local chapter of DraftObama.org, which was also encouraging Senator Obama to run for president. Before I knew it, the Senator announced his candidacy, I was speaking at a rally in Copley Square, we hosted our first BC Students for Barack Obama meeting (with 70 attendees), and the ball was rolling on my political career. I was named Massachusetts State Director of SFBO, spoke to Senator Obama on a nationwide conference call, and have met the man (or "the man, the myth, the legend," as I like to call him) multiple times. I secured an internship in his Boston financial office to learn about campaign finance, canvassed in New Hampshire at the kickoff on May 19th, and helped to plan the Walk for Change in Jamaica Plain on June 9th.

    This flies in the face of the conventional wisdom on youth involvement in politics. We've all heard it: the youth don't vote, the youth don't care, and the youth never will. That makes me angry, for the simple fact that I know it's not true. We know that we can no longer trust our future to the current culture in Washington. There's too much at stake.

    Our generation faces real problems: a healthcare system that does not fulfill its most basic purpose, a war that should never have been authorized, and the looming bankruptcy of our social programs as our parents' generation retires. The future of America is at stake, and it's not the time to tune out.

    That is why I support Barack Obama. He believes that government has the power to help people. That what unites us is stronger than what divides us. That by working together and abandoning the petty political squabbles so prevalent in our age of television and punditry, we can solve the problems that lie before us. He believes in the power of politics to be a force for good. What attracts me most, however, is that he believes in the power of youth involvement to make a difference--it's the foundation of his campaign.

    I've done all this, but I can't help feeling as though I'm just getting started. All Americans should have the same opportunities to become politically involved that I did. I was interested in helping and committed to making a difference, and as a result, the doors of opportunity were opened to me. This campaign represents everything that is right about America: the inherent goodness of its people, the ability for one person to make a difference, and the freedom to make your own path in life. It is fitting that the campaign making the most significant commitment to the youth vote is also the campaign with the most forward-thinking vision for America. Our future can be bright if we make it so, and I intend to do everything in my power to make that future happen.

Diary of a Camper

Carey Markoe (SFBO) — Sun, 19 Aug 2007 21:18:16 EDT

When I had first heard about the training session that the Obama for America campaign was offering, I thought it would be the same old training session that you could get at almost any campaign headquarters (you know what I’m talking about, the one where you learn how to phone-bank and canvass). It turns out it wasn’t so, the campaign was well-organized and the list of speakers and lecturers was incredible. Although we did learn how to canvass and phone-bank effectively, we also learned how to organize congressional districts, wards, precincts, etc.

We had speakers ranging from Mike Kruglik, a well-known campaigner within the organizing community, to Jocelyn Woodward, the director of the Camp Obama project and Women for Obama, and Pastor Michael Pfleger, an activist in southern Chicago. Other speakers included members of the Obama for America communications and policy team; Jon Carson, Illinois State Director of Obama for America; a local organizer Dino Martino; and SFBO's very own deputy director, Tobin Van Ostern.

When Pfleger spoke, he motivated and inspired the captivated crowd. During his passionate address, the room was filled with enthusiastic nods and people yelling “amen.” He talked about Senator Obama’s vision of hope, compared to the typical, empty-promise candidates. He also told us that as members of Obama's campaign for change we are effectively altering the way politics is practiced in our country.

After the first day, we took a tour of the national headquarters. We were lead by a member of the National Field Operations team, Stephen Brokaw, and I must admit the office was exceptionally impressive. Seeing all of the different branches at work was a remarkable experience for me. We met people from the Youth Vote team, the Policy Department, and the Communications team. It was incredible to realize that we were now apart of this historic presidential campaign and movement for changing our country.

The next day, Kruglik impressed upon us methods he knew for how to effectively organize a community. And having worked with Senator Obama, he was also a good first-person source of information about Obama's history as a community organizer. Kruglik is all about fighting for the people that live in the south-side of Chicago and teaching them to find their power and find their voice. He was even able to elicit passionate personal stories from camp attendees about why they support Senator Obama:

We heard tear-jerking stories from several of the campers. One story that helped paint a picture of the importance of this campaign was when a woman was called on to vocalize issues important to her. She specifically said “health care,” and Kruglik asked, “and why is this important to you?” She replied, “because I’m one of the millions of Americans who is uninsured.”

Another emotional story was that of a high schooler – we had taken time out of the session to interview each other for our personal stories -- and his interviewer went up to tell why his issue, again, health care, was important to him. She said, “his story is special. Why? Because every person in his family is uninsured.” This included his younger sister who has a serious medical condition. He realizes that when he gets to college in a year, he will be able to obtain health care, but he is incredibly concerned about his little sister.

At the close of camp, each attendee had gained new knowledge about the art of campaigning, but more importantly we forged unbreakable bonds with fellow Obama supporters. We saw up close the power of this campaign. And we walked away fired up to elect Senator Obama.

Dan Rather on Camp Obama

Sam Graham-Felsen — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 18:37:58 EDT

Dan Rather Reports on HDNet features a great story on Camp Obama and how young people are getting involved in the campaign. The section on Camp Obama starts 44:00 into the episode.

Young People are the Backbone

Sam Graham-Felsen — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 16:34:05 EDT

Barack has said that young people are "the backbone of this movement."

He's right. Thousands of young people from across the country are volunteering, taking time out of their busy school and work schedules to take part in this movement for change. They are volunteering locally, organizing online, training to be effective leaders at Camp Obama in our Chicago office, and donating whatever they can. They believe they can make a difference, and they are making a difference in this campaign.

Why are so many young people getting involved in the Obama campaign? Because, according to a new New York Times/CBS News/MTV poll, this generation is a truly progressive generation, and it sees Obama as the best hope for change.

According to the poll:

Young Americans are more likely than the general public to favor a government-run universal health care insurance system, an open-door policy on immigration and the legalization of gay marriage...
More than half of Americans ages 17 to 29 — 54 percent — say they intend to vote for a Democrat for president in 2008.

And here's the kicker: according to the poll, young people are "more enthusiastic" about Obama than any other candidate, Republican or Democrat, running for president.

If you're a student, make sure to check out Students.BarackObama.com for student and youth-related news, events, and volunteer opportunities. Become a part of the backbone.

Students for Barack Obama OFFICIAL Blog

Mary Hodge — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 21:52:16 EDT

The official Students for Barack Obama blog is located at

students.barackobama.com

Check it frequently for profiles of students, events, campaign news and action alerts.

Barack Brings Out Thousands in Hanover

Sam Graham-Felsen — Mon, 28 May 2007 16:02:03 EDT

Capping his Memorial Day Weekend tour of northern New Hampshire, Barack spoke at Dartmouth College this afternoon.

Check out the crowd. An estimated 5 to 6,000 people came out.

For more on the Dartmouth rally, tune into the NH HQ blog at NH.BarackObama.com. Mike Negron will have an in-depth account soon.

Video: SNHU Commencement Address

Sam Graham-Felsen — Mon, 21 May 2007 20:45:06 EDT

The video of Barack's graduation speech at Southern New Hampshire University is now online in its entirety.

Barack challenges the graduating students to step away from the sidelines of history and instead put themselves on the front lines of social change.

In a few minutes, you can take your diploma, walk off this stage, and go chasing after the big house and the large salary and the nice suits and all the other things that our money culture says you should buy.
But I hope you don't. Focusing your life solely on making a buck shows a poverty of ambition. It asks too little of yourself. And it will leave you unfulfilled.
So don't let people talk you into doing what's easy or comfortable. Listen to what's inside of you and decide what it is that you care about so much that you're willing to risk it all.

It truly is an extraordinary speech. Watch the whole thing.

If you're graduating, consider volunteering for the campaign over the summer. And if you're still a student, visit students.BarackObama.com for the latest information on how you can get involved on your campus.

Making College More Affordable

Sam Graham-Felsen — Tue, 15 May 2007 13:13:41 EDT

In the coming days, thousands of young Americans will walk across the stage and receive their hard-earned diplomas. After the pomp and circumstance, they will enter into the real world. And many of them will be crippled with debt.

A college degree should create opportunity, but for far too many, it creates a burden.

Today's students, on average, graduate with almost 3.5 times as much debt as those who graduated a decade ago. As a result of skyrocketing college costs and slashed aid programs, each year, hundreds of thousands of students each year forgo college because they can't afford it.

Barack understands that if America is going to excel in our increasingly competitive, globalized world, educational opportunities need to be expanded, not limited.

That's why the very first bill he introduced as a Senator was to increase Pell Grants to help students pay for college.

And that's why today he unveiled a new plan today to eliminate subsidies for student loan providers and mandate that all federal student loans be provided through the direct loan program. By getting rid of handouts to corporate lending giants-- many of which have been engaged in unethical behavior that shortchanges students and families-- taxpayers will save money and college will be made more affordable.

Senator Obama:

It is long past time to put an end to the rampant abuse by lenders of our student loan programs. One way we can help make college more affordable is by reforming a wasteful system of student loans that profit private banks at the cost of taxpayers. The system needs to be fixed. We shouldn’t be providing billions in taxpayer-funded giveaways to private banks; we should be providing an affordable, accessible college education to every American.

For more details on Barack's plan, click here. And if you're a student and want to get involved, check out our Students for Barack Obama page at students.BarackObama.com.

Music for Obama

Tobin Van Ostern — Mon, 14 May 2007 13:52:09 EDT

The excitement out there for Senator Obama is tremendous. Particularly amongst the youth and students, people that have never closely followed politics or supported a candidate are instead pouring their time and energy into this campaign. Personally, I particularly am impressed whenever anyone takes a particular talent they have, and use it to creatively demonstrate their support.

One of my friends came across this song while checking out the music of one of his favorite artists: Asian-American rapper Jin. Jin took his musical talent and wrote a song, which you can check out on his MySpace, called “Open Letter 2 Obama.” The song is pretty cool, so check it out and let me know what you think.

I am sure all of you out there have skills and talents of your own, and I would love to hear or see some of the creative ways that you are using those talents to show your support for Senator Obama. Feel free to also encourage those people that you know with talents to take part. From music superstars to local bands, the support for Senator Obama is there, you might be surprised who is receptive to doing something unique to show their support. Just shoot me an email with the link so I can check it out.

Keep the energy and excitement going. Feel free to check out Senator Obama’s Facebook and MySpace as well.

-Tobin
Deputy Director, Students for Barack Obama

Boston Globe: "Youth voters a force in '08 race"

Sam Graham-Felsen — Mon, 14 May 2007 12:29:48 EDT

In today's Boston Globe, Susan Milligan discusses the increasingly engaged and re-ignited youth vote that is poised to rock the 2008 elections. Read the whole thing:

Young voters, who for decades played a marginal role in electoral politics, have emerged as a powerful new force in the 2008 elections and are poised to determine the next president as a result of an explosion in political activity among youth, according to pollsters, political organizers, and young voters themselves...
After a steady decline in youth voting since the close of the Vietnam War, young voter participation increased from 36 percent in 2000 to 47 percent in 2004, representing a huge jump. Analysts also project that the final statistics from 2006 will show it to be a record year for youth voting in a midterm con gressional election.
The Internet has accelerated the trend, giving young people a cheap and efficient tool to organize rallies, recruit volunteers, and exchange information about candidates. With passions high over the war, national security, and global warming, young people today are shaping up as a political power bloc that could exceed the influence of antiwar protesters in the late 1960s and early 1970s, pollsters and analysts predict.

Indeed. It's no wonder that Students for Barack Obama, a group that materialized on Facebook and grew to over 65,000 students in a few months, is our largest my.BarackObama.com group.

If you're a student, make sure to check out our Students for Barack Obama page-- students.BarackObama.com --and tell your friends to check it out as well.

As Barack has said, students are, and will continue to be, an absolutely vital force component of this campaign.

"The citizens of Kansas are picking up the slack"

Sam Graham-Felsen — Thu, 10 May 2007 17:27:28 EDT

On Saturday, May 12, Barack Obama will visit Kansas City, Missouri. People from all across Missouri and Kansas have already signed up to attend (click here for information and tickets). Barack’s visit comes in the wake of the tornado disaster that leveled Greensburg, Kansas and left many of the surrounding areas severely flooded. I recently spoke with Nathan H., a 19-year-old student from Wichita, Kansas, whose community is currently grappling with the floods.

“We have tornadoes all the time out here in Kansas, but this was an F5 tornado that directly hit a community,” says Nathan. “I haven’t been around for anything like this before. Lots of people are pitching in to help the folks in Greensburg, though. The outpouring of support has been incredible.”

In the aftermath of the disaster, Governer Kathleen Sebelius criticized President Bush for overstretching the National Guard and not giving them adequate resources for responding to domestic disasters. Nathan says he stands by his governor:

I trust her a whole lot more than I trust President Bush. I find it hard to believe that as many people as we’ve sent to Iraq—that it hasn’t hindered our abilities to respond to crises at home. I wish we had our full resources at home to deal with this. It’s not up to the soldiers. They’re doing what they are told and doing a great job. Fortunately, the citizens of Kansas are picking up the slack.

Nathan says he opposed the war to begin with and says “it’s a tragedy each day it continues.” A member of Nathan’s community jazz band (Nathan plays piano) served in Iraq, and when he returned one day to practice after being deployed for a year, “everyone in the room had their breath taken away.” Nathan says his band-mate and friend has struggled to settle back into his old life, reestablish his career and provide for his family after returning from Iraq.

A member of Students for Barack Obama, Nathan says he sports an Obama bumper sticker on his car, says he was drawn to Barack, “because he can get young people excited and connect to the country as a whole.”

One day, Nathan hopes to enter into politics himself. “People say to me (like they once said to Barack), you’re so young, you’re so bright, why in the world would you want to enter into politics?”

“And I tell them, ‘Because I’m young and smart!'”

Link Up!

Nate de la Piedra [OFA Staff] — Sun, 06 May 2007 11:50:07 EDT

Welcome to the Students for Barack Obama blog. We went live a few days ago (Friday, May 4) and I hope you’ll find us to be an informative and interesting blog covering not only covering major speeches and event, but also some of Senator Obama’s issue stances and how they pertain to students and young Americans alike.

Additionally we hope to bring you stories about some of the awesome things our chapters and student members are doing around the country. Make sure to come back and visit us often as we’ll be updating everyday with new and exciting posts. Our direct website address is students.BarackObama.com. If you have your own blog and want to link to us or add us to your blog roll, that’s OK too (ok, actually it would make us really happy).

If there is something in particular you’d like to see us cover, if you have any suggestions or you want to get in touch for any other reason, feel free to e-mail me at nate[at]StudentsforBarackObama[dot]com (e-mail presented in a funny way so spamming software doesn't grab it off the web, just use the regular "@" and "." symbols)

-Nate

PS: We are still looking for a few more writers for our blog, so if you want to join the team get in touch with Marc, marc[at]StudentsforBarackObama[dot]com. He’ll probably ask you for a writing sample so if you send one with your first e-mail, it’ll save you a step and maybe even impress him a little.

In the meantime, here are some other fantastic Barack Obama for President websites that will help you stay up to speed and connect with other young supporters for change. (click on the picture, it's the link)

1. If you haven’t set up My.BarackObama.com account yet, what are you waiting for? My.BarackObama is our social networking site of supporters young and old. You can set up a profile (and invite your friends), meet other members of the movement, find groups of supporters (national and local), have your own blog or fundraising page and all sorts of other cool stuff.

2. Sign up to become a member of students for Barack Obama, you can also use this page to see if there is already a chapter at your college or university, and if not you can start your own.

3. Come check out Students for Barack Obama on Facebook. We have close to 70,000 members and a group for almost each state as well (you’re going to have click through to get your state link)

4. Friend Up! On MySpace. Come check out the official Barack Obama profile and add us as a friend.

5. For those of you out there that want to procrastinate studying for a final or writing a term paper and still consider it educational. Here is a great diary by ChiGirl88 on DailyKos: Barack Obama's IL Senate record

Video: Boston University Event

Sam Graham-Felsen — Sun, 22 Apr 2007 12:01:14 EDT

The video from Friday's excellent event at BU is up. Take a look.

For an account of the event, which drew 5,000 people, many of them college students, check out the Blue Mass Group blog.

And if you're a student, please visit our new Students for Barack Obama site at students.BarackObama.com.

Tamara B.

Sam Graham-Felsen — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 13:40:01 EDT

Tamara B. is a senior psychology major at Northeastern University.

She plans to go to med school but she says “our generation faces too much debt when we leave college. I myself have a great deal of debt. And I could someday leave medical school with somewhere around $80,000 extra in debt… Something needs to be done about this!”

Tamara says that she doesn't follow politics per se, but that she closely follows the issues she cares about: educational affordability and health care. "I don't care about politics," she says, "I care about policies."

Tamara’s mother immigrated from Jamaica and raised Tamara and her two other sisters in Hartford, Connecticut. She says growing up around people with limited resources made a deep impact on her professional goals.

In my community in Hartford there were a lot of people with no insurance—and until I was in middle school, my mom paid out of pocket too. These people have to rely on emergency rooms. One of the reasons I want to go into emergency medicine, is because I want to work with that population. But I'm also working to ensure that everyone has coverage in the future. For an example, I've lobbied for health care reforms through the organization I belong to, the American Medical Students Association. In the future, I'm hoping that the emergency room doesn't have to be the only option.

She says she is impressed with Barack’s emphasis on providing health care for everyone. She has studied his positions on health care and hopes to learn even more this afternoon at the Boston University event.

Beyond her respect for Barack’s policy proposals, she appreciates his “realness.”

“You can feel like you could just see him walking down the street and talk to him. With someone like George Bush I don’t get that feeling… I don’t think he’d even be walking down a street,” she says.

“All of this Obama talk makes me want to help out with his campaign! I am definitely looking into it now.”

Barack Speaks with Students

Sam Graham-Felsen — Thu, 19 Apr 2007 19:36:00 EDT

On the day of the launch of the new Students for Barack Obama website, Barack spoke with student leaders from all over the country.

Overall, 165 Students for Barack Obama chapters called in and 863 students participated. It was a lively and candid discussion. Students asked Barack questions on issues ranging from post-college health care to the future of race relations to the prospects of repairing America's image abroad.

Here's a bit of what Barack told the students:

Your contributions are really humbling especially when I remember how little money I had when I was a student. Seeing your excitement has really inspired me to keep going on the campaign trail. I really believe that young people have always been at the center of great movements for change. I’m going to be counting on you to be the backbone for this campaign.
Sometimes those of us who are a bit older tend to take things for granted, but young people aren’t wedded to the world as it is. They can ask questions. They can imagine a world as they'd like it to be.

Keep working. Just understand that you are really the key to this campaign. It’s a huge opportunity for all of us to transform the country in a way that we haven’t seen in a very long time. Each and every one of you will be critical. You guys inspire me.

If you're a student, check out students.BarackObama.com to learn how you can get involved on your campus and beyond. Remember, as Barack says, you guys are the backbone of this movement. Help us make it happen.

Students for Barack Obama

Sam Graham-Felsen — Thu, 19 Apr 2007 17:45:22 EDT

From the early days of this campaign—in fact, even before this campaign began--students have been a driving force in the movement to elect Barack president.

Last summer, Meredith Segal, a Bowdoin College student, started a Facebook group, Students for Barack Obama, to encourage Barack Obama to run. Within days, she was flooded with messages from students she had never even met before, from all over the country, who wanted to help get the organization off the ground. Today, Students for Barack Obama is the largest group on my.BarackObama.com and one of the most active grassroots organizations in the movement to elect Barack.

Student support for Barack Obama is stronger than ever. This week, Harvard’s Institute of Politics released a nationwide poll showing overwhelming support among students for Barack. According to the poll, “more than one-third (35%) of likely 18-24 year-old Democratic voters say Senator Obama would be their first choice for President in 2008.” Click here for the full report.

If you’re a student, make sure to visit Students for Barack Obama’s new official website—students.BarackObama.com—to learn how you can get involved on your campus and beyond.

"We're All Hokies"

Sam Graham-Felsen — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 15:43:26 EDT

This comes from Tobin Van Ostern of Students For Barack Obama:

We’re All Hokies

For me it started with a casual question directed my way as I walked into class around noontime, “Hey, did you hear about the shooting at Tech? Two people are dead.” Just like that, the day changed.
Being from Virginia, my thoughts immediately focused on my friends at the school. The concern blocked out papers, work, and school. A bit later, the toll grew to 33 dead, dozens more injured, and countless lives shattered across the country.
My first reaction was to pull out my laptop and get online. I, fortunately, was able to get in touch with one of my friends at Tech who then gave me a rundown of everyone he had heard from so far. One of our friends lived on floor where the first two shootings took place. She ended up safe, but lost one of her friends forever. Later, I spoke to another friend of mine, Morgan, a first-year at the University of Virginia, so we could crosscheck our lists of friends to make sure everyone we knew was safe. During our conversation she made a remark that hit home, saying, “It’s just that there aren't words to describe what anyone is feeling. Whether it’s a personal suffering or those at Tech, we are all affected by this in a different way. All we can do is let the people in our lives know that we love them.”
Throughout the day I was contacted by concerned students from the different Students for Barack Obama chapters, all of whom expressing grief and promising their prayers for those at Tech. John, our George Mason Director, found out through a news alert online while in class. He had a similar response and went to check the Facebook page of a good friend at the campus. “I’m okay,” read her online status. Today, John’s dorm sports a sign simply stating, “God Bless the Hokies.”
My own university, the George Washington University, held a vigil on Monday night and urged students to wear orange and maroon via a campus-wide email. Scanning my Facebook friends list, I scroll past countless friends from schools across the country that have all changed their profile pictures to the VT logo overtop a black ribbon. The message is clear: right now, we are all Hokies.
Our lives have been interrupted by a tragedy on a college campus of unprecedented magnitude. What could have ever prevented this? We will never know for sure. Different programs? Different local action? Different policies? Maybe something as simple as a hug, a friend or a community outreach program? I invite everyone to share their thoughts and feelings on the tragedy. What could we as students and citizens do differently?

To directly help the Virginia Tech community, visit these two websites (they maybe slow loading):

Link

Link

And please use the space below to discuss what you can do in your local communities.

Our first campus meeting

Thu, 08 Mar 2007 01:35:11 EST

A few hours ago we had the first of many Students for Barack Obama meetings at the University of Northern Iowa. I don't mean to make that sentence sound fatigued - "the first of many" - I just mean we have a long journey ahead. And I think the group of students huddled together in the middle of the student union know that. This campaign is a about change in politics and I think students across the country know that too. We have a chance to be a part of something special, something that truly is about us.

We met with the Waterloo Obama for America staff and they emphasized that this campaign can truly go as far as we as student organizers can take it. Idea after idea came as we began to brainstorm about the best ways to get new students registered to vote and how we can get students active in politics one again. I think this election can be the year of the student voice. Not since the 60’s and 70’s have students been so dynamic and ready to work toward something they believe in.

With the Internet being such an integrated and natural way of communication for our generation, it’s easy to network and work toward our cause. This website along with other social networking websites can be just as effective as the traditional print, radio and television mediums. Perhaps even more effective. I'm excited to be a part of something so fresh and exciting.

Stay tuned for more from Cedar Falls and Northeast Iowa.

A Politics of Hope

Marc R. Peters — Sat, 10 Feb 2007 17:27:39 EST

Extreme factions and ideologies dominate the political landscape. Ultraconservatives and extremist liberals continue to exert more and more control on political parties. It is easy to be swept away into a stream of divisive issues: gay marriage, flag burning, abortion and so on. We often forget that it is more important to be united as Americans than divided.

In an ideal version of our government, neither party would be dominant, and thus neither party would dominate the flow of ideas. In addition, we must remember that in a democratic society, government cannot satisfy all people on all issues all of the time. In a free society, government should always be a matter of compromise and accommodation.

It is vital that we have intelligent citizens who disagree with each other. It is by civilized debate between passionate people that democracy changes for the better. Unfortunately, politics in America has deteriorated into partisan bickering. Gone are the days of respectful discussion on the Senate floor. In its place, a continuous power struggle has taken root. Bipartisanship is especially weak in election years, as moderates are often forced to appeal to the most extreme constituents in their party.

We can change the way politics is practiced in America. We can rise above the drudgery of partisianship and look to a politics of hope. A brand of politics that is embodied by Barack Obama. Obama is the candidate for the next generation. He can bridge the gaps in America between young and old, black and white, rich and poor. He is a brilliant thinker who had the foresight to oppose the Iraq war BEFORE it was popular to do so.

It is easy to look at the political spectrum and find things we dislike on both sides of the aisle. It is time for us to seize the day and return America to its roots as a government by the people and for the people, and not a greed-driven machine at the beck and call of special interests. We cannot afford to waste time assessing blame. Both those of us involved in the political process, as well as the politically apathetic, are all equally responsible for the state of this union.

Sending Barack Obama to the White House is the best first step in the journey to healing ourselves at home and mending fences abroad. As Margaret Mead said, "Never doubt that a small dedicated group of individuals can change the world. In fact, it is the only thing that ever has."