Spring Break
11/24 Column: Grass-roots Mobilization for Obama and Change
Jason Anton '10, Chapter Co-Director, Students for Barack Obama
Issue date: 11/3/08 Section: Opinion
In February 2007, a freshman senator from Illinois declared his candidacy for president of the United States. Sharp in rhetoric but light on experience, Barack Obama launched his campaign in the shadow of political heavyweights. No mainstream pundit, no matter his political affiliation, doubts the historic nature of his election. But how did it happen? The grassroots power of Obama's base of support clearly had a role, buttressed by an organization I am privileged to have been a part of: Students for Barack Obama.
Princeton's chapter was like many others, starting in the early months of 2007, while Obama ran third in the polls. It was intended to be a conduit in which the campaign, and all of its constituent offices, could reach out to the vast student base of support. Nationwide, SFBO created the foundation, albeit a complicated one (I had at least 5 bosses at any given time), for a remarkable campaign.
Through the end of the primary season, with as much support as the College Democrats could provide while remaining neutral, the Princeton chapter of SFBO and other chapters nationwide did their best to boost student interest and turnout, culminating in record turnout numbers throughout the country. On campus, the chapter gathered contacts, organized phone banks, and held events to raise awareness and persuade students to support the Illinois Senator. It was not these events, though, but rather the people we met, that really made the experience worthwhile.
I recall one night, after taking students to a rally in Jersey City, the group of us were sitting in a Subway when two African-American men of around our age walked over. Admittedly startled, we anxiously anticipated what they might say or do - few college students know how to react to a confrontation with strangers in a foreign city. The two men were not aggressive, nor were they looking for trouble. Rather, they simply came up to us and asked, "I see you have an Obama sticker. Would you mind explaining to us why you support him?" We did; they thanked us and walked away. It was moments like these-intellectual, cross-cultural exchanges that would never have occurred otherwise-that make me proud to have been a part of this campaign.
Princeton's chapter was like many others, starting in the early months of 2007, while Obama ran third in the polls. It was intended to be a conduit in which the campaign, and all of its constituent offices, could reach out to the vast student base of support. Nationwide, SFBO created the foundation, albeit a complicated one (I had at least 5 bosses at any given time), for a remarkable campaign.
Through the end of the primary season, with as much support as the College Democrats could provide while remaining neutral, the Princeton chapter of SFBO and other chapters nationwide did their best to boost student interest and turnout, culminating in record turnout numbers throughout the country. On campus, the chapter gathered contacts, organized phone banks, and held events to raise awareness and persuade students to support the Illinois Senator. It was not these events, though, but rather the people we met, that really made the experience worthwhile.
I recall one night, after taking students to a rally in Jersey City, the group of us were sitting in a Subway when two African-American men of around our age walked over. Admittedly startled, we anxiously anticipated what they might say or do - few college students know how to react to a confrontation with strangers in a foreign city. The two men were not aggressive, nor were they looking for trouble. Rather, they simply came up to us and asked, "I see you have an Obama sticker. Would you mind explaining to us why you support him?" We did; they thanked us and walked away. It was moments like these-intellectual, cross-cultural exchanges that would never have occurred otherwise-that make me proud to have been a part of this campaign.
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