Strickland speaks up about upcoming election

By Megan Krause, Campus Life writer

September 19, 2008 | 6:49 p.m.

Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland sang Sen. Barack Obama's praises when he spoke to a crowd of all ages that gathered at Wilhelm Amphitheater behind Scripps Hall Friday, Sept. 19.

Strickland, who spoke at Denison University earlier today, targeted students by saying that it is the "army of young people" that will make a difference in the outcome of the Ohio election. He had the crowd cheering when he stated that there is not "a dime of difference" between Sen. John McCain and President Bush. Ohio will be important in the upcoming election, and with the help of Obama supporters in Athens County the democratic party will be back in the White House, Strickland said.

The event was organized by the OU College Democrats, who are working with Students for Barack Obama to elect Sen. Obama as president in November. The groups had representatives stationed at all of the amphitheater's entrances asking attendees to sign in and sign up to help with the campaign. Representatives also handed out buttons and stickers promoting the Obama-Biden ticket. Handmade signs with slogans such as "Ted Rocks my Socks" and "OU for Change" were also distributed to people in the crowd.

Debbie Phillips, democratic candidate for the Ohio House of Representatives and Pat Kelly, democratic candidate for Athens County Sheriff, also attended the rally and said a few words about their goals and the common goals of the democratic party at large.

Coordinators of the student political groups encourage students to attend meetings to get involved in what they say will be a historic election. The OU Dems and Students for Barack Obama have combined their meetings, which take place every Tuesday at 8 p.m. in Bentley 240.

For more information about how to get involved with the campaign, check out the OU Dems and Students for Barack Obama Facebook groups.

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