Barack Obama speaks to MU students
April 20, 2007
In the Hudson residence hall classroom, 31 students anxiously waited for the call. After being told to wait five more minutes, then 15 more minutes, then five more minutes, a voice that is becoming more and more familiar to Americans across the country filled the room.
"Hello everybody," U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., said. "It's great to talk to you guys. Thank you so much for calling in."
The MU chapter of Students for Barack Obama, the official youth wing of Barack Obama's presidential campaign, participated in a conference call with the Illinois senator on Wednesday. Other chapters of the organization also participated.
Junior Michele Boeche formed a Barack Obama for President group on Facebook and later turned it into a chapter for Students for Barack Obama and became the MU chapter director. The group has more than 200 chapters on college campuses across the country. The MU chapter is the largest in Missouri, with 286 members, Boeche said.
"I'm really glad he took time out of his day to give to students, and I'm glad that he knew the issues to address for students," she said. "He knows how to tailor his message to the right crowd. He really is doing a lot for students."
Obama spoke for about 20 minutes and addressed issues close to students and answered questions. He offered his opinions about the Virginia Tech shootings, U.S. foreign policy, race relations and health insurance for graduating students. Mostly, he stressed the importance of student support for his campaign.
"Young people have always been at the center of great movements for change in this country, whether it was marching against the Vietnam War, sitting down to protest segregation or standing up for women's rights," Obama said. "I really think if we can get young people activated in this election, then not only do I think we'll be able to celebrate a new chapter in our country's history, but I think that all of you will be able to know you helped to move history. I think this campaign has the potential of really breaking out the youth vote in a way we haven't seen in a very long time."
Boeche said the conference call was Students For Barack Obama's first event outside of sending information and petitions via Facebook. The group also held a "social kickoff" Wednesday night in Memorial Union to generate excitement for the group.
Junior Nancy Pinkston, another group member, said she supported Hillary Clinton at first, but after she learned about Obama's platform, she changed her mind.
"He has a great understanding of what's going on and what we need said in this country for America to keep going in the right direction," Pinkston said. "He really is the real deal. A lot of the politicians, they can talk as much as they want, but their actions show otherwise. Barack Obama shows that actions speak louder than words."
Boeche said she plans to continue recruiting members, especially when classes resume next fall, and will try to get students to vote in the primaries.
"I think that this campus has been waiting for a candidate that's going to mobilize and care about students, and that's Barack Obama," she said.
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