Students for Barack Obama launches chapter at ECU

On March 19, ECU held its initial meeting for the official student wing of Senator Barack Obama's campaign, Students for Barack Obama (SFBO).

The meeting was held at 7 p.m. in the Bate building.

Students are currently preparing for the May 6 primary election in North Carolina.

Efforts will be made to organize young voters, canvass, and promote Obama's message to both college students and the community of Eastern North Carolina.

NC SFBO Regional Field Coordinator and ECU Chapter Director, Nathan Lean, provided ways for students to get involved and assist in campaigning within the state, such as encouraging people to vote and informing them of where the polls are in their area.

Lean stressed the idea that Obama's campaign is youth driven.

"It is fascinating to see young people getting involved," Lean said.

The first event that SFBO will hold is a voter registration drive.

The deadline for voter registration in North Carolina is April 11.

SFBO is currently searching for a solution to get as many students to register as possible.

Holding the drive during dinnertime at the dining halls on campus was one of the suggestions discussed at the meeting.

"The bottom line is it's important for young people to vote," Lean said.

The next event SFBO is approaching is the North Carolina primary election.

Alycia Gibson, sophomore English education major, suggested that SFBO hold a forum for all candidates running in the 2008 election.

"It is important to raise awareness of the primary and present issues alongside other candidates," Gibson said.

Currently, Obama holds 1,622 delegates to Clinton's 1,485. In order to win the position as the Democratic candidate, 2,024 delegates need to be won.

In North Carolina, the lead that Obama holds is closing in, making it very important for young people to vote.

After the primary election, considering Obama reigns victorious, SFBO's focus will shift toward awareness of Obama's policies and the promotion of his message as it relates to youth voters and the November 4 election.

"College students can help spread the message of Senator Obama's campaign by joining SFBO, inviting their friends and families to watch his speeches and debates, and just simply letting anyone who will listen know about the issues Obama stands for and the fact that he is ready to bring about the change this country needs to be successful in the future," said Melissa Hege, sophomore psychology major and member of SFBO.

The members of SFBO also feel that it would be wise to collaborate with other student organizations such as the College Democrats and Republicans and the Student Government Association.

"As a student organization at ECU we have the ability and power to reach many people in our university and community and make the issues that Obama stands for known," Hege said.

This writer may be contacted at news@theeastcarolinian.com