http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPbrkzJnwJw

Obama Campaign Manager David Plouffe talks to College Democrats about the importance of turning out the youth vote on November 4th.

From the Huffington Post:

by Katie Naranjo

Barack Obama inspires younger generations like no other politician in recent history. Rather than ignoring young people and writing off our entire generation as apathetic, Senator Obama reaches out to us and understands our needs. He offers the youth a refreshing alternative to regressive Bush-McCain policies, which continue to increase the financial burdens on college students. More importantly, our country is more vulnerable to another terrorist attack, and our economy is in crisis because of the current Republican administration. In this election, Senator Obama has inspired millions of people of all ages to get involved in our political system, making the point that change can only happen when "We the People" make it happen.


This is why according to a recent Rock the Vote poll, 87 percent of young people intend to vote this election cycle. Indeed, unprecedented voter registration numbers since the primaries have put a number of traditionally "red" states in play. In Virginia, home to 13 electoral votes, the Obama campaign registered nearly 50,000 new voters in August alone. The Obama campaign is rapidly closing in on its goal of registering over 150,000 new voters in Virginia by the October 6 deadline - a remarkable accomplishment in a state that hasn't voted Democratic since Lyndon Johnson carried it in 1964.


Yet with millions of young people preparing to cast their first vote, a shameful Republican misinformation campaign has emerged across the country. Inexperienced voters and young people are extremely vulnerable to miscommunication campaigns, and Republicans in Colorado, Indiana, Michigan, South Carolina, Virginia and all across the country have taken advantage of this over the past few weeks and months. In Colorado, a Republican county clerk falsely informed out-of-state students attending Colorado College that they could not register to vote in Colorado if their parents claimed them as dependants on their taxes. In Virginia and South Carolina, local registrars have intentionally lied to students registering to vote, telling them "you can't vote here." Indeed Republicans are discouraging young people from voting across the country, and these tactics must stop now.


But why would anyone try to strip someone of their right to vote? Yes, young people have voted increasingly Democratic over the past eight years - a USA Today/MTV/Gallup poll released yesterday found that 61 percent of young people support Barack Obama while just 32 percent support John McCain. But we live in a country founded on the premise that everyone has an equal voice on Election Day. We live in a country where you simply can't disenfranchise your political opponent's supporters because you cannot relate to their issues and their future.


To protect the essential right to vote and ensure that students are heard on Election Day, the College Democrats of America are launching a nationwide youth empowerment campaign. The project, entitled Respect Our Vote, intends to combat these despicable tactics and ensure that every student has all the information that they need to cast their vote on November 4th. Students will be able to educate themselves on their rights and report any incidents of voter intimidation on our new website: www.RespectTheYouthVote.com. More over, CDA will be transporting thousands of student activists from around the country to key battleground states to canvass colleges and inform students on the laws in their areas. The right to vote is a non-partisan issue, and we - as College Democrats - will do everything in our power to protect it. The youth vote will not be suppressed now or in the future.


Throughout our history, millions of people have fought to provide all Americans with the right to speak out, choose our leaders, and enjoy the freedoms that many of our peers are fighting for. We owe it to everyone in our generation to ensure that all of us are able to fulfill our civic responsibility. While Senator Obama continues to build a relationship between the youth and the political process, it is up to us to make sure that all students are able to voice their vote in the most important election of our lifetime.

Washington, DC – The College Democrats of America (CDA) announced the launch of a nationwide youth empowerment campaign today called "Respect Our Vote." Intended to raise awareness among young people about their right to vote, the campaign seeks to combat Republican misinformation campaigns across the country. The full-scale campaign will mobilize thousands of college students across the nation to travel to important battleground states with the goal of informing students of how and where they can exercise their right to vote.

"The College Democrats of America are 100 percent committed to protecting a student's right to vote," said Katie Naranjo, President of the College Democrats of America. "Our goal is to make sure that every student has the information they need to make the most informed decision regarding where they cast their ballot."

"Voter disenfranchisement is an extremely serious matter which threatens the very core of our democracy. The right to vote shouldn't be about Democrats or Republicans, but unfortunately there are those who have purposely decided to disenfranchise young people – a group who they know will vote overwhelmingly for Democrats," added Naranjo.

"Young people have become more and more Democratic over the past eight years. The failed policies of the Bush-McCain era have alienated young people, and they are ready for a change. We live in a country where you simply can't disenfranchise your opponents. Recent polls demonstrate that 87 percent of young people want to vote this election cycle – it would be a travesty if Republicans stood in the way letting that happen." [Rock the Vote, 9/23/08]

For more information on the Respect Our Vote campaign, please visit http://www.RespectTheYouthVote.com.

College Democrats of America is the official youth outreach arm of the Democratic Party.

At the College Democrats of America (CDA) Convention in Denver, young voters proved that we're ready to change the political landscape as we know it. Students from across the country engaged experts on issue panels ranging from the environment, faith in politics, new media to hip hop's influence on our political culture. Students also participated in campaign trainings directly designed to assist with preparations on college campuses for voter registration, mobilization, protection and turnout. We know that young voters recognize the generational theme of this historic election. That's why we left Colorado clear on our goals for November 4: Register, mobilize, turnout, and elect Sen. Obama.

Washington pundits have always written young voters off - assuming that we won't turn out on Election Day. But we've already proven why this year is different. With Senator Obama as our voice, young people are more motivated and empowered than ever to have their votes counted. In the Democratic primaries, over 6.5 million young people voted - up over 100% from 2004. Young people are voting overwhelmingly for Democrats, and our record-setting turnout in the Iowa Caucuses helped launch Senator Barack Obama's victory in the Democratic primary. College Democrats across the country are confident that the trends we've seen are not a fluke. We've been on the frontlines of registering and organizing voters, educating our generation on the issues at stake and why this election matters. Young people feel connected to politics again - the issues are too relevant and the times are too tough. We know the problems and the solution. This year the youth will show up and vote for Senator Obama.

CDA crowd.png

Our plans for this election are ambitious - but we have no intentions of falling short. College Democrats will register and mobilize thousands of new student voters in key swing states across the country. State by state, precinct by precinct, CDA's "Precinct Project" aims at harnessing the excitement of this presidential year to maximize turnout for the entire Democratic ticket. We want the center of attention at every student activity fair to be the voter registration table. We want to bring the election to our peers and engage them about the issues and the candidates - from the presidency to the city council.

But there are still serious hurdles for college students when it comes to voting rights. Voter suppression poses a major hurdle to college students as they head for the voting booth. Voter ID laws, a lack of ballot boxes on college campuses, and confusion regarding residency requirements prevent thousands of students from exercising their right to vote. This has been a major concern of the College Democrats since 2000, and one we will continue to fight for in this election. One of the highlights of our Denver convention was when students enthusiastic to put an end to voter suppression planned detailed, state-by-state education campaigns and learned how to petition their state officials and registrars of voters to obtain early voting locations on their campuses. cda kate.png

If the College Democrats Convention has demonstrated anything, it's that not only are college students valued hands on Election Day for phonebanking and canvassing, but we are a strong and increasing constituency in the Democratic Party. We are growing, we are fired up and we are working as a unified force to elect Senator Obama and the rest of the Democratic ticket. This year, students are turning out to the polls in record numbers - representing 25% of the primary vote - and this trend will only increase in November. Students are here. Students are listening to the candidates. Students are educated on the issues. And most importantly, students recognize that in more than any time in recent history, this is a generational election. Politics is relevant to the youth again. We now know what it feels like to be invigorated by a candidate who represents our concerns. We proved the pundits wrong in the primaries. And we're going to prove them wrong again on November 4. Vote Obama.

Thanks to the Democratic Congress, today the interest rates for federal student loans will decrease 0.8 percent.

What does this mean in the real lives of students? Though President Bush has no problem spending billions in Iraq, American students can barely scrape enough money together to go to college. With college costs having skyrocketed in recent years, the average college student now graduates with $21,600.* That's not the best way to send America's best and brightest into the world. Luckily, decreasing the interest rate on student loans is one of the many ways that Democratic leaders in Congress have addressed increasing college costs.

In addition to interest rates, students will now be permitted to borrow an additional $2,000 in unsubsidized federal student loans each year. Previously students could only borrow $3,500, but this year they can borrow up to $5,500. These federal loans typically have lower fees and interest rates than private loans.

It's important that the next administration places a high priority on addressing the needs of college students who are struggling to support themselves financially. Building a well-educated workforce that isn't burdened by excessive amounts of debt is part of building a strong economy.

Senator Obama and his family know this issue well. He and his wife often talk about how they were only recently able to pay back student loans. Thanks to two recent best sellers, the Obama family is now student debt free. If running for president and writing a best-selling book or two is the only way to pay off your student debt, things are not looking good for the rest of us.

It is imperative that we make higher education accessible in this country. Today's interest rate decrease is a start. And with Barack Obama in the White House, we'll have a president who truly understands the burdens of student loans, and we'll see even more progress.

* = For a student graduating from a public university in 2006. Source: Project on Student Debt.

Hundreds of Students from Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont and Rhode Island to Travel to New Hampshire to Campaign for Senator Obama on Saturday, September 27.

Washington, DC – The College Democrats of America (CDA) are thrilled to announce that hundreds of students from Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, and Rhode Island will journey to New Hampshire in order to campaign for Senator Barack Obama on Saturday, September 27, 2008. The students are taking part in one of many similar volunteer efforts planned by CDA this election cycle.

College Democrats from all four states will spend their Saturday canvassing, phone-banking, and registering voters.

"Here in New Hampshire, we know how important it is to elect Sen. Obama and Jeanne Shaheen, and to re-elect Gov. Lynch, Congresswoman Shea-Porter, and Congressman Hodes," said Sean Doyle, President of the New Hampshire College Democrats. "We are thrilled to welcome College Democrats from all over New England."

"Barack Obama has energized young people across the country," said Matt Zagaja, President of the College Democrats of Massachusetts. "For the first time in a generation, young people have found a leader who listens to their concerns and makes politics relevant to them."

"On issue after issue – Senator Obama sides with America's young voters," said Karl Grindal, President of the Connecticut College Democrats. "He was against the Iraq War from the start, he supports making healthcare affordable for all, he is for alternative energy to break the grip of foreign oil, and he cares about forgotten issues like poverty and education in our cities and rural areas."

"Senator Obama is fighting for America's youth," said Devin Driscoll, President of the College Democrats of Rhode Island. "He has fought for us in the Senate – proposing legislation to increase the maximum Pell Grant from $4,050 to $5,100, and he has fought for us in his campaign – proposing policies that ensure affordable healthcare for all. This fall we are fighting to ensure that he is elected in November."

Washington, DC – A new poll released today by the non-partisan organization Rock the Vote reveals that young voters overwhelmingly support Senator Barack Obama in the upcoming presidential election. The poll found that Senator Obama earns the support of 56 percent of 18 – 29 year olds, compared to just 29 percent for Senator McCain. Furthermore, young voters are overwhelmingly engaged in this election with 87 percent of young voters planning to vote in November, and 57 percent of young voters following the election "extremely or very closely." [Rock the Vote, 9/23/08]

These results show that young voters are trending Democratic. The poll found that 50 percent of young voters claim to be Democrats, compared to just 29 percent that claim to be Republican. This margin has increased dramatically from last year when an MTV/ New York Times/CBS Poll found that 35 percent of young voters considered themselves Democrats while just 23 percent considered themselves Republicans. [New York Times, 6/27/07]

"This poll is proof that young voters overwhelmingly support Senator Obama," said Katie Naranjo, President of the College Democrats of America. "On issue after issue, Senator Obama sides with young people – He opposed the Iraq war from the start, supports making healthcare affordable for all, understands the need for providing college debt relief, and will reverse the failed Bush-McCain economic policies to create millions of new jobs."

"Young voters have already proved their willingness to support Senator Obama – turnout among young voters in the primaries increased by more than 100 percent from 2004. Indeed in Iowa – the state which launched Senator Obama to secure the nomination – the youth turnout matched Iowa's most dependable voting demographic: senior citizens. This is the first time in recent history that his has occurred. Young people are here and voting for Sen. Obama," Naranjo added.

"Moreover, since Senator Obama won the nomination, unprecedented voter registration among young people in states like Colorado, North Carolina, Indiana and Virginia have put historically Republican states in play," Naranjo said. "Young voters are now undeniably the valuable constituency in electoral politics."

Events took place before and during the Democratic National Convention – featured
national politicians, celebrities, trainings and panels.

DENVER, CO. – The College Democrats of America (CDA) held the 2008 CDA National
Convention in Denver this past week, between August 22nd and August 27th. The CDA
Convention coincided with the Democratic National Convention, which took place in Denver
from August 25th to August 28th.

Over 600 College Democrats convened at the Colorado Convention Center for events held
before and during the Democratic National Convention. Students from over 230 colleges and
universities participated in trainings focused on campus mobilization and new media, and elected
a new national executive board for the 2008-2009 academic year.

"We're fired-up and ready to bring home the college vote in this historic election," said Katie
Naranjo, National President of the College Democrats of America. "Our students had the
opportunity to receive training from top-tier Democratic strategists and to attend the Democratic
National Convention. We are ready to take the energy from this convention back to our
campuses as we prepare to maximize the turnout among college students this November."

"In Barack Obama, young people finally have a candidate who speaks directly to their issues,"
said Naranjo. "That is why turnout in the primaries among young people increased by over 100%
from 2004, and that is why young people are going to turn out in historic numbers this
November."

The CDA convention featured appearances by Michelle Obama, DNC Chairman Howard Dean,
Gov. Deval Patrick (D-Mass.), Newark Mayor Cory Booker (D-NJ,) and other top political
leaders, and featured panels focused on climate change, religion, hip hop and politics, and new
media.

Other notables who joined the College Democrats in Denver were actor Kal Penn, members of
the comedy group Laughing Liberally, and cast members of MTV's Real World Denver, among
others.