Don Cheadle makes surprise campus appearance

Don Cheadle said students can affect the election.

By Andrew Denney

Published Sept. 26, 2008

Award-winning actor Don Cheadle made a surprise appearance at Speaker's Circle on Thursday to discuss the importance of the youth vote and voice his support for Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama as part of the Young Democrats of Missouri's Day of Action.

Citing the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa, Cheadle said student movements have made an impact throughout history. He said college students today have the ability to communicate and network with each other better than when he was college-aged, which could have an affect on the election.

"More people have been energized and inspired by this election than ever before," Cheadle said to a group of students gathered around a voting registration tent to hear him speak. "If you come out and represent, you could see it happen."

Cheadle said besides voting, it is important for young voters to educate themselves about the issues.

"It's not a time to be cavalier, it's not a time to be cool, it's time to step up," he said. "What's going to happen is unprecedented."

Cheadle said in the face of issues such as financial crises at home and military conflicts abroad, the country needs a president who is "capable and willing."

"America is being put to the test in a very serious way," he said, adding that issues need to be dealt with "correctly," and Obama would do it.

When asked about his personal relations with the candidate, Cheadle said he had played basketball with Obama, and jokingly criticized his low post game.

"His jump shot is questionable," he said.

Another asked about Obama's dancing skills.

"I've never danced with the man," he said.

Junior Josh Schaller said he, like many other students gathered at the event, didn't know Cheadle was supposed to make an appearance.

"I was walking through Lowry, and I heard cheering and went to the circle, and there was Don Cheadle," he said.

Cheadle is one of several prominent figures that have appeared on campus and in Columbia in the past few weeks to support Obama. Last week, former Secretary of State Madeline Albright appeared on campus, and a week before that, Democratic Party Chairman Howard Dean also appeared. Earlier this month, Democratic vice presidential nominee Sen. Joe Biden appeared in Columbia.

Cheadle, a Kansas City native, is a one-time Oscar nominee. He was recognized for his leading role in the 2004 Oscar-winning film "Hotel Rwanda."

"We've had a lot of great surrogates," Young Democrats of Missouri spokesman Brian Roach said. "I think the Obama campaign realizes that Missouri is a big battleground state."

In tune with Cheadle's message, Roach also stressed the importance of the youth vote in this year's election.

"We're going to be the ones to swing the election," he said.

-Staff Writer Scott Kanowsky contributed to this report.