Why California Students are Drawn to Barack Obama and Why It Will Make a Difference

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Ryan McElhinney

My generation has grown up in the era of highly partisan warfare in Washington. From the politics of division by Karl Rove to the winner-takes-all nature of a Tom Delay dominated Congress, young people in America have grown tired of politics as usual.

This is why young people and students especially are drawn to Barack Obama's candidacy. We want a candidate that will work to unite America, rather than divide it. Throughout the Senator's career, whether was organizing in Chicago, working with Republicans to pass landmark legislation, or negotiating the strongest ethics reform bill in the US since Watergate, Barack Obama has shown that he can work with individuals from both ends of the political spectrum. He has energized us, motivated us and inspired us.

There have been many candidates in the past who have solicited strong support from youth, yet failed to turn out the vote like Students for Barack Obama did in the Iowa caucuses or in the New Hampshire primary. In Iowa, students made political history and gave our candidate a decisive win. We will do the same in California.

The difference between those candidates and Barack Obama can be summed up in what has become the unofficial catch phrase of California Students for Barack Obama, "We are not a fan club."

We are not a fan club because we don’t just loiter around our homes, cafes or bars supporting Barack Obama in name only. Members of SFBO are regularly out on their college and HS campuses and neighborhoods, identifying supporters and ensuring turnout. Our members, most of who have never been involved with politics prior to this campaign, are organizing and running chapters on over 50 campuses in California.

Many campaigns have promised a large youth turnout, yet rarely have succeeded. For these students promises are not enough. We have implemented a comprehensive field plan adapting grassroots roots organizing techniques on college and high school campuses all over the nation. Students are ensuring that their peers not only support Barack Obama, by staying engaged and turning out the vote.

Ryan McElhinney is the California Field Director for Students for Barack Obama. He is responsible for training and organizing students throughout California to implement the California field plan. He became involved with politics in high school, where he worked on Sacramento-area campaigns. More recently, he was the president of the Chico State Democrats where he helped instill a progressive majority on the City Council of Chico.