Spring Break
Michelle Obama rallies at CU
Stresses the value of the student vote
Madeline Novey
Issue date: 10/1/08 Section: News
Hundreds of people crowded onto Farrand Field in the center of the CU campus to hear Michelle Obama, the wife of presidential candidate Sen. Obama, speak about the importance of voting in the 2008 election Wednesday.
The event, which was open to the public, was hosted by the CU Student Union.
The line began to form at 8:30 a.m. and was composed of only a few dozen people. By 10 a.m., it stretched several hundred feet to the east of the field.
People of all ages waited in anticipation, dressed in their "Change" Obama t-shirts as a swarms of voter registration volunteers walked the line and registered the eager political participants.
Political officials have predicted an increase in vote turn-out from the young demographic, ages 18-25. In addition to that increase, Obama said that on the campaign trail, she has met more people than ever who have registered to vote when they never had before.
She said that 170,000 young people across the nation have not registered yet.
"With 170,000 students alone, we can make the difference," she said. "What we're asking right here on the CU campus, register right now. We have a goal of registering 4,100 students on this campus. We are half way there. I am asking you - personally - let's get that goal."
Obama said to the crowd, "even if you have registered," "your job is to find five other trifling people in your life" and convince them to register to vote.
"We need everyone in the sound of my voice to be engaged," she said. "We need people to register today."
She emphasized the weight and importance of the individual vote in Colorado, a swing-state in the election.
"This is a swing state - and we want some swinging to go on right here," she said. "What happens here in the state can set the tone for the rest of the election."
Prominent political figures, CU students and local celebrities supported Obama's message. Speakers included but were not limited to:
The event, which was open to the public, was hosted by the CU Student Union.
The line began to form at 8:30 a.m. and was composed of only a few dozen people. By 10 a.m., it stretched several hundred feet to the east of the field.
People of all ages waited in anticipation, dressed in their "Change" Obama t-shirts as a swarms of voter registration volunteers walked the line and registered the eager political participants.
Political officials have predicted an increase in vote turn-out from the young demographic, ages 18-25. In addition to that increase, Obama said that on the campaign trail, she has met more people than ever who have registered to vote when they never had before.
She said that 170,000 young people across the nation have not registered yet.
"With 170,000 students alone, we can make the difference," she said. "What we're asking right here on the CU campus, register right now. We have a goal of registering 4,100 students on this campus. We are half way there. I am asking you - personally - let's get that goal."
Obama said to the crowd, "even if you have registered," "your job is to find five other trifling people in your life" and convince them to register to vote.
"We need everyone in the sound of my voice to be engaged," she said. "We need people to register today."
She emphasized the weight and importance of the individual vote in Colorado, a swing-state in the election.
"This is a swing state - and we want some swinging to go on right here," she said. "What happens here in the state can set the tone for the rest of the election."
Prominent political figures, CU students and local celebrities supported Obama's message. Speakers included but were not limited to:
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