Seeking out the youth vote
T.J. GREANEY
Supporters of U.S. Sen. Barack Obama say if he�s going to win the Democratic primary in Missouri on Feb. 5, college students will play a huge role.
"The challenge has always been - with the students here - is a lot of them are registered at home, so they have to take the time and effort to do the absentee ballot or move their registration," said state Sen. Chuck Graham, D-Columbia, an Obama supporter. "That�s always been the problem."
And if the first three contested presidential primaries are any indication, the Democratic race might hinge on candidates� ability to draw out younger voters.
Yesterday, Sen. Claire McCaskill was accompanied by her mother, Betty McCaskill, and state Auditor Susan Montee as she tried to inspire the college-age crowd with a speech to about 100 people in Memorial Union at the University of Missouri.
She asked whether they felt "Fired Up and Ready to Go," a slogan used by Obama�s campaign.
In a short stump speech, McCaskill recalled her own days working in the same building as campus chairwoman for a campaign by U.S. Sen. Stuart Symington.
"Enjoy this moment in your lives, where you�ve found something you believe in and it�s worth it to get off the couch," she told them. "Because what you�re doing right now is something you�ll never forget."
McCaskill told the crowd she was drawn to Obama after seeing him "put his arm around" Senate Republicans and reject partisanship. Most of the crowd indicated they are firmly in Obama�s corner. About 10 people raised hands to show they went to Iowa to get out the vote for the caucuses earlier this month. Many at the gathering indicated they were political newcomers, drawn by Obama�s message of optimism.
"He�s inspiring," said Emily Tewes, 19, an MU sophomore. "He�s kind of like a young, fresh face, and he seems like he has something to offer that the other candidates don�t."
Most people interviewed said Obama and Republican candidate Rep. Ron Paul have the most apparent following on campus. "I�ve seen the most stickers and buttons for those two," Tewes said.
A voter registration drive in December by the Mizzou for Obama campaign in Lowry Mall netted more than 100 new student voters, supporters said. The Obama group plans a canvassing effort today.
"There�s something about him. I think younger people find it easier to identify with someone closer to their age," said Caitlin Ellis, 20, deputy director of Mizzou for Obama. "It�s harder to look at" Republican U.S. Sen. "John McCain or someone and try to relate to them."
Concern has mounted among Democrats that a feud between U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton and Obama might be hard to patch up before the fall.
But McCaskill said she�s not worried for the party or that she has put herself in a politically awkward position between her two Senate colleagues.
"It was a very hard decision," McCaskill said of her Obama endorsement. "I�m not against her, I�m for him, and I�ll be thrilled to work for her if she ends up being the nominee."
Graduate students Brandon Pope, 26, and Ericka Evans, 24, said they went to the gathering out of curiosity. Pope said he�s leaning toward Obama and liked the message of unity. Evans said she needs more information.
"I�m not swayed, but I�m definitely more interested in him after hearing McCaskill talk," she said. "I�m going to start paying more attention to the television and radio before I make up my mind."