MCTBarack Obama, one of the Democratic presidential hopefuls, is looking to receive student support in his presidential bid.
Today, the Illinois senator will speak at Union Station in St. Louis at an event catered specifically toward his growing base of student voters.
“Traditionally, the youth vote, the generation 18 to 25 [years old], has been the least likely to turn out and vote,” said William Lowry, a professor of American politics. “If more young people are going out to vote, that segment of the population becomes that much more important in an election that could be pretty close.”
Obama’s campaign is actively looking to engage with students for the Illinois senator’s presidential pursuit.
“Barack Obama listens to the people,” said sophomore Michelle Stein, the Missouri State Commissioner of Students for Obama, the student wing of the Illinois senator’s campaign. “It’s nice to feel like you have a voice in the campaign.”
Students For Obama is an amalgamation of different chapters of high school, college and graduate school students that spans across the country, including a chapter at the University.
Washington University Students For Barack Obama has been involved in aiding campaign efforts in St. Louis. The group has been particularly involved in this event, which is the first stop on Obama’s “Countdown to Change” tour of Missouri.
The efforts of the Obama campaign come as part of an effort by candidates nationwide to motivate students and to mobilize a segment of voters that has been largely apathetic in recent years.
“Campuses have not been as active in recent years as they were, certainly 30 years ago,” said Lowry. “There are so many issues right now that should be so relevant to that generation-not just military involvement overseas but issues involving the federal deficit-that should make people more willing to take the effort to go out and vote and campaign.”
In efforts to lure more students to Friday’s event, student ticket prices have been discounted from $25 to $15. According to a Facebook event for the rally, more than 400 students have indicated their intent to attend.
Obama was the first candidate to open a political office in St. Louis, and that office is one of the two offices he has in Missouri.
“Missouri is a pretty important state because it has been so close in the last couple of elections,” said Lowry. “It generally reflects the way the rest of the country is going to go.”
The Missouri presidential primary is scheduled for Feb. 5, 2008, on the nationwide “Super Tuesday.”
According to recent polls of the Democratic primary field, Obama is trailing Senator Hilary Clinton in the bid for the Democratic nomination.
Despite this, the Obama campaign remains hopeful that it can reach out to students and effect change in the political system.
“I believe that if we focus and work together, then the results will be very good,” said Stein.
Tickets to the event can be purchased online as well as at the door before the event scheduled to start at 5 p.m.
To buy tickets for the event or to learn more, visit Obama’s website.
-With additional reporting by Sam Guzik.