Obama calls youth to action in Madison

Post by Talya Minsberg, a student journalist at the University of Wisconsin, Madison

MADISON, WI—President Barack Obama was welcomed by cheering college students, reminiscent of the crowds he drew in the 2008 election.

"This doesn't look like an enthusiasm gap to me," U.S. Senator Russ Feingold said to an estimated 17,500 individuals packed shoulder-to-shoulder at the University of Wisconsin's Library Mall.

The youth that campaigned furiously for Obama in 2008 turned out again, some waiting in line at 9 a.m. for the evening event.

"I knew the line would be big and I like Obama. I had to come," UW-Madison junior Gabriela Banda said.

In overwhelming numbers, students said that they were registered and planning to vote in the November 2nd midterm elections.

"Our president needs our help once again," UW student Steve Olikara said to the overflowing crowd. "He needs our help once again because the work is not yet done"

"So I understand that people are frustrated, I understand that people are impatient... of course they are, I am impatient," Obama said. "You did not elect me to do what was easy... you elected me to do what was right."

As Obama spoke, volunteers and organizers circled the crowds handing out voting pledge cards, urging citizens to hit the polls in record numbers this November.

"The biggest mistake we can make right now is to let disappointment or frustration lead to apathy and indifference," Obama said.

Throughout his speech the crowd broke into chants of "Yes we can." Stressing the importance of bottom-up campaigning, Obama finished his speech with a call to action.

"I need your help Madison," he said. "We need you to commit to vote… because if we do....we will not just win this election, we are gonna restore our economy, we are going to rebuild the middle class, we will reclaim the American dream for this generation."