As the Democratic presidential candidate race winds to a close (hopefully), we're still talking about the same old subjects: electability, campaign gaffes, superdelegates, etc. A few months ago, I wrote about how superdelegates could very well determine our next president, and now two of those delegates are reaching out to us college students.
Awais Khaleel (A UW-Madison student) and Lauren Wolfe, the vice president and president of the College Democrats of America, released a YouTube video on Sunday asking for feedback on whom they should support as superdelegates at the Democratic National Convention in August.
As the Democratic parties choose superdelegates who represent college students, we want to make sure that our vote belongs to you,"" Wolfe says in the video. ""We promise, we're more accessible than your governor, your senator or really any other superdelegate out there."" Khaleel says. ""And we will absolutely listen to what you have to say.""
I'd like to say how incredibly cool it is of them to do this. The fact that two superdelegates are willing to create a video and ask for our feedback is great, and it sure beats calling your governor or senator and asking them to listen to you.
With more than 5,000 views, 250 comments and a handful of video responses so far, the video has received a lot of feedback, which, unsurprisingly, has mostly been in favor of Barack Obama.
Below, I lay out my own letter for their
consideration:
Dear Lauren and Awais,
First, I want to thank you for taking the time to solicit feedback from your constituents. As the leaders of the College Democrats of America, you both do a great service to young people across the country in asking our opinion. After a long primary season, there is one clear choice for your vote - Barack Obama.
As a leading member of Students for Obama on campus, I'm obviously biased, but I ask you to look at the facts. At UW-Madison, Obama won 80 percent of the vote. He won 89.4 percent of Democratic votes at UW-Oshkosh, 74 percent at UW-Whitewater, 85 percent at UW-Milwaukee and 79 percent at UW-River Falls, according to student sources at each school.
In Pennsylvania, Obama won 60 percent of the votes between 18 and 29 year olds, according to CNN exit polls. He won 59 percent of those voters in Texas, 61 percent in Ohio, 53 percent in Tennessee, 59 percent in Arizona, 56 percent in New York and 60 percent in New Hampshire. And those are states he lost.
Your friend Jason Rae, a Marquette junior who is also a superdelegate, announced his endorsement of Obama soon after he saw the overwhelming support for Obama not only among college students, but among the entire state of Wisconsin.
You three are our only real representatives at the national convention in August, and I urge you to vote the way an overwhelming number of college students already have. Vote for Barack Obama.
Sincerely,
Erik Opsal
There, I've said my piece, and now it's time for you to say yours. Go watch the video on YouTube, look up Lauren and Awais on facebook, or e-mail them at wolfel@collegedems.com and khaleela@collegedems.com.
According to Khaleel, they have already received numerous responses from both Obama and Hillary Clinton supporters.
""What is especially noteworthy is the amount of insight put into the majority of these messages,"" he said in an e-mail. ""This thoughtful feedback is going to be invaluable in helping us make our decision.""
The two plan on making an official endorsement ""not long after the final primary on June 3
