By Ami ElShareif and Shaun Hundle
College Democrats
UW-Madison Students for Obama began in February 2007, shortly after Barack Obama announced his candidacy in Springfield, Ill. What started as a meeting of a few idealistic students at the Rathskellar quickly grew into one of the largest and most active chapters in the country. Over the past 20 months, hundreds of students have worked tirelessly to spread Obama's message, both here on campus and throughout the Midwest.
UW-Madison Students for Obama had the opportunity to charter three trips to Iowa to talk with voters during fall semester 2007. Our excitement and dedication intensified on the night of Jan. 3, 2008, when voters of every age group, race and gender across Iowa caucused for Obama, a win that secured his place as a serious candidate for the presidency. Remember, up until that point, Obama was 20 points behind Hillary Clinton in the national polls. Of the five counties in Iowa our organization canvassed, Obama overwhelmingly won all of them.
In February 2008, over 20,000 people came to the Kohl Center to hear Obama speak, and the following Tuesday primary he won campus with 80 percent of the vote. Students turned out in record numbers to ensure that their voices were heard, despite the frigid temperatures on Election Day.
This fall we were met with more excitement and enthusiasm on campus. Michelle Obama drew 4,000 people in September, and other celebrities, like Adam Brody, Penn Badgley and Bradley Whitford, who visited campus, were greeted enthusiastically. Over the past few weeks, countless numbers of students worked tirelessly - making phone calls, knocking on doors and registering a record number of voters on campus. On Nov. 4, we shattered records once again when 22,000 students on the UW-Madison campus voted - 80 percent of them in favor of Obama.
Although we saw a momentous victory last Tuesday, now the real work begins. We are excited for the new administration, but our work as Democrats starts locally. Even in Madison, we can channel the energy we saw Tuesday night on the streets of Madison to enact real change. There will be important bills in the state legislature in 2009 on health care, a state-wide smoking ban, and the UW system. We encourage all students to attend the College Democrats of Madison meetings, specifically next Wednesday Nov. 19, 7 p.m. TITU, where we will discuss the future of our political movement here on campus.
To everyone who knocked on a door, made a phone call, registered a voter, attended a meeting, held up a sign or put their sleep and homework aside, we thank you sincerely. Our operation would not have been possible over the past year and a half without student dedication. What many of our events, like tabling or canvassing, may have seemed like trivial tasks at the time, they not only helped us win UW-Madison, but also Wisconsin and the entire country. We made history last Tuesday, and you were a part of it. Thank you.
Sitting at Memorial Union, a year and a half later, our vision and dreams have become a reality, and our organization has come full circle. Writing this column is our last official duty as Students for Obama. But, watch out UW-Madison. We will be back in four years to ensure another victory!
Ami ElShareif is the chair of students for Obama. Shaun Hundle is the volunteer coordinator for College Democrats and Students for Obama. Please send responses to opinion@dailycardinal.com.
