Obama takes center stage

As the crowd exploded into applause and students crowded the floor in Agganis Arena at Boston University on Friday night, one was reminded of the countless contentious games between BU and Boston College hockey battling for bragging rights of the Comm. Ave rivalry. Instead, BU and BC students put aside their rivalry and united with thousands of other Bostonians to hear Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama give his vision for the future.

In what was the largest fundraising event ever for Obama in Boston, nearly 6,000 people packed the arena to show their support for what many are calling the new face of politics.

Obama emphasized this point throughout his speech, arguing that the current political situation in Washington was in need of repair.

"The reason that we are not meeting the challenges [of today] is not because we don't have good ideas. The reason is because our politics is broken. Because our politics is small and it's petty. And it divides us instead of bringing us together," said Obama. "I've been in Washington long enough to know that Washington needs to change. We need a new kind of politics. We need something different, we need to turn the page."

Citing this broken system, Obama electrified the crowd when he said that events like these show that things are starting to change - that the American people want a solution and a better America. Empowering the crowd, Obama challenged the audience to take a stance and create a "new kind of politics" by becoming involved in a political campaign. "When the American people pay attention, things happen. That's the incredible thing about our democratic process. It doesn't work when people aren't involved, when people give up," explained Obama. "But when we decide to make it work, then things start happening."

The crowd was more than double the amount Obama drew in his campaign events in New England over the past week, highlighting his base of support among college students and the rising importance of a historically apathetic demographic. In an effort to mobilize young adults in college campuses across the nation, the Obama campaign has relied heavily on student-led initiatives, including BC's Students for Barack Obama organization.

Founded in December of 2006, before Obama announced his candidacy for presidency, the BC chapter of Students for Barack Obama has risen in importance as the senator's campaign has picked up steam, becoming a leading contributor to his campaign in Massachusetts. With approximately 30 active members and several hundred members of the Facebook group, BC's chapter of Students for Barack received the distinction of being the only chapter in the nation to be filmed by Obama's campaign team in the run up to Friday's event. The chapter was also one of only two in the nation that was able to partake in an active conference call with Obama, which was included in a video that should be released later this week.

"It is unbelievingly successful and we are happy with the response. We have a great organization. We have had quite a bit of success at BC comparatively," said BC chapter founder Joshua Darr, A&S '09. At $23 a ticket for students, the chapter was able to raise approximately $5,000 for the Obama campaign.

"His message is very powerful. He represents a new politic. He's a great speaker. He connects with people; he doesn't talk at you, he talks to you. You feel a real connection with him," said Darr. "He's a great candidate, that's why he's been so successful at BC."

Students at Obama's fundraiser agreed. "He inspires optimism and hope and I think that a lot of people accept that. Look at the crowd - there are a lot of students around here," said Justin Rownsky, A&S '09. "Every time an election cycle rolls around it seems like we have to settle for the most experienced candidate or the most electable candidate. I'm tired of lowering the bar, and I think Obama sets the bar high."

Obama's fundraising effort, which focuses on events such as these that bring in a large amount of small donations, differs starkly from the methods of his competitors. Earlier this month, the Obama camp announced it had raised $25 million - $1 million less than Democratic rival Hillary Clinton. The difference in campaign styles, however, is highlighted by the fact that Obama's war chest was raised by a larger pool of donors with smaller contributions.

With the Democratic primary race figuring to be a competitive one, wooing college students may be the difference between winning and going home early.

"The thing that I find most attractive about him is that he's honest. He's one of the most honest people in politics nowadays and he's not afraid to say things that are unpopular and that other people are trying to hide. He's a step in the right direction," said Myke Garcia, A&S '09.