National presidential campaign organizers for Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., stressed the importance of the youth and student volunteer movement Thursday before the Wisconsin primary on Feb. 19.
Obama National Campaign Manager Steve Hildebrand said via teleconference a record number of college-age voters voted in this years' 30 state primaries so far.
He credited the ambition and quick mobilization of students at universities and colleges nationwide for their dedication and commitment to efficient action.
Utilizing online social networks like Facebook, students at UW-Madison and across the country have used the event"" feature to inform, invite and confirm attendance at sign-making meetings and rallies to support the Obama campaign.
Wisconsin coordinator for Students for Obama Bryon Eagon said the groups only had 72 hours to organize Tuesday's Obama Rally for Change at the Kohl Center.
However, through Facebook groups, mass e-mails, word of mouth and last-minute flyers, Eagon said the rally hosted the largest crowd for a primary election event the venue has ever had.
Danielle Gray, deputy national policy director for the campaign, said the outpouring of support for Obama could be because of the fact that several of his proposed policies are made with the interests of college students at heart.
She said Obama's college affordability plan, national service plan and health care initiative all focus on real issues that affect the lives of college students. From reducing the strain of student loans to tuition assistance for participation in programs like Peace Corps, Obama's ideas are stirring great support from younger generations, Gray said.
Speaking on Obama's behalf, Hildebrand said the presidential hopeful felt he got his launch from students who made contributions during the Iowa caucuses and that all of their help is appreciated.
""There are no more motivated electorates than young voters,"" Hildebrand said.
