Two celebrities stumped for U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., at the Obama campaign office located at Laundry 101 on West Gilman Street Thursday.
“Superman Returns” stars Brandon Routh and Kal Penn shared how Obama has inspired them with a crowd of students and community members gathered among laundry machines.
“I have never been as inspired by anyone probably since my grandparents marched with Gandhi,” Penn said.
A self-identified cynic and Independent, Penn became an Obama supporter after the presidential hopeful’s inspirational keynote speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention.
Routh encouraged students to put aside political apathy and get involved in the political process.
“This is not really politics we’re talking about, this is an investment in my future,” Routh said.
“You may not like what everyone says, you may not like every politician, but there are people who are doing good things in this country.”
The actors downplayed their celebrity status, saying they are just volunteers who make calls and knock on doors like many in the crowd.
Penn said he enjoys knocking on doors because he can talk to people one on one and hear their concerns.
“They’re the ones that support the stuff that we do, you know, they’re the ones who watch our TV shows and buy our DVDs,” Penn said.
“Without that I certainly wouldn’t have the type of health care that I hope that they have with a new president.”
Although celebrities are criticized for endorsing politicians, state coordinator of Wisconsin Students for Obama Bryon Eagon said celebrity endorsements help gain the attention of new voters.
“The benefit of celebrities is they bring people into discussions that might not otherwise be motivated to be involved,” Eagon said. “The goal of tonight having these two men here was not for them to persuade people, but to really bring them into the movement for change.”
The actors and student speakers emphasized joining the grassroots movement to educate their neighbors and classmates about the upcoming Feb. 19 primary.
Penn and Routh also visited campuses in Eau Claire, River Falls and La Crosse Thursday. The pair will join Kerry Washington to speak to students in Milwaukee and Racine Friday.
