Will the youth fall for Obama again?

In the paradigm shifting elections of 2008, young people made a difference. Without their vociferous support Obama wouldn’t be in the White House today. We saw a glimpse of what their absence might mean during the 2010 mid-terms where Democrats made huge losses due to lackluster participation. If college students decide to stay home —as they historically do—Barack Obama could very well lose his re-election campaign. In this video report I explore whether the youthful fervor of 2008 is still present on college campuses.

In a move reminiscent of 2008, Obama team fires first email

Even before Republicans cast lots for their 2012 standard-bearer, it appears the Democratic machine is in motion. In a familiar return to its grassroots organizational strategy that amassed expansive voter records, the Obama re-election team has sent out a first round of emails to supporters.

Jim Messina fired emails to registered Obama supporters late Thursday. “You're in for 2012: Welcome and thanks.” he wrote. Messina is one of the fresh faces on Obama’s team, taking over from David Plouffe as campaign manager after stints in the White House and Congress.

The email was short, simple, lacked the verve and charm of 2008 but went straight to the point. It comprised about 190 words. Supporters are asked to join either by volunteering, donating or spreading the word. In 2008 Barack Obama tapped into his community organizing skills by running a prolific grassroots campaign which grew into an enthralling movement.

“…whether you're a first-time supporter or a veteran organizer, this campaign belongs to you. You own it, and you power it” Messina said.

This email comes as no surprise as President Obama recently launched his re-election bid in a flurry of emails and web messages. No presidential candidate is known to have amassed as huge a record of ordinary citizens as Obama did in the previous elections. Equally important, the current president effectively employed new media and social networking tools to elicit more support especially among the country’s young population.

If observers are looking for any signs regarding how similar or different this campaign will be from the last, then this introductory email gives little or no clue.

Messina’s email mentions no specific details as to how the campaign will be run except to indicate in broad terms that it will be “different”.

“Now forget everything you know about politics. Because I can tell you that the next year and a half will be like nothing you've seen from a campaign. If we're going to win, we have to be tougher, smarter, and more innovative than ever before” the new campaign manager said.

In an effort to recapture the spirit and excitement of 2008, Team Obama is asking voters to take an active part in running the campaign in their individual communities.

“This is an exciting time to get involved -- your leadership today will help shape what kind of campaign we can run over the next few months.”

In Iowa, student journalists report on Obama’s visit to their campus

Sam Kienzle, a senior from environmental science, wore a pro-health care reform button on Thursday outside of the Field House. He said he was there mainly to observe. “Iowa City is my home town. And this is a spectacle,” he added. He liked to see all kinds of signs people held during the demonstration, but those that indicated racial slur bothered him, he said. He also said he was expecting to see about 100 more people join the demonstration. Photograph by Josie Liu, PhD candidate Unv. of Iowa

We’re grateful to students from the University of Iowa who offered grassroots reportage on Obama’s visit to Iowa. If you’d like to read direct and non-mainstream filtered accounts of this pivotal visit, here are some summaries:

Heather McKeag gives an account of the drama that ensued as opponents of the bill picketed outside the venue of Obama’s speech:

Demonstrators from all over Iowa gathered in protest and support of the new federal health-care reform legislation.

Supporters of the reform proudly raised signs that read “Health Insurance Reform Now” and “Standing Together for Health Care Reform,” while protester’s signs read “You’re Fired” and “Obama Stole My Wallet.”

“I disagree that health insurance is wasteful spending. However, I wouldn’t disagree that we are in a huge deficit.”
Andrew Alemao, a UI senior said.

Also check out this quote McKeag reported on from another protester:

Nancy Bothius, a doctor of pharmacy and clinical assistant professor came to protest critical issues she has witnessed in the medical field. Nancy’s sign stated, “I support health care reform but NOT this reform.”

However Lisa Brahm reports that it wasn’t all about protests as Obama found a friendly audience at the Filed House:

President Barack Obama applauded Iowans on their support of the health care reform just as much as the packed audience in the University of Iowa field house applauded him. People from the Iowa City area and students from the University of Iowa waited in a line around the corner from the field house eager to listen to the president speak.

His speech consisted mostly of the health care bill that he signed Tuesday afternoon, and while there were several protesters outside and even a brave young man yelling rebuttals at the president inside, many people in the audience were joining in on cheers before the president took the stage and frantically snapping pictures as he approached the podium.

Spectator and University of Iowa student, Paige Wallace described the scenery inside the field house as, “filled with Iowans eager to hear what the President had to say.” As the president walked onto the stage Wallace snapped pictures as she stood on her tip-toes in order to get a better view.

“His delivery was even better in person than when watching him on TV,” Paige said, “He is such a likable person. I didn’t feel like I was listening to the President speak. He seemed just like an average Midwesterner just like us.”

And finally, a summary of reactions before and after the speech from Kelly Oelmann’s report :

Several hundred people from all over the state and country lined up outside the Field House at the University of Iowa this morning in hopes of seeing the President Barrack Obama before or after his speech. While some picketed on one side of the street and others watched from the other side on this chilly windy day, they all wanted to get their voice heard.

A concerned business owner, Robin Staak of Iowa City says, “it is unconstitutional…it’s against the law….your telling people that they HAVE to buy something.” She believes that this bill will absolutely cripple our country.

Logan Garmoe age 14 of Mt. Pleasant is neutral about the bill. He states that the bill is, “taking away choice. They’ll keep doing that. It will keep getting bigger and bigger until we don’t have any way in it.”

College students like Dustin Krutsinger, a second year medical student wanted to encourage President Obama to go back to the Constitution. Krutsinger states, “they continue to ignore the Constitution.”

Tina Thomann of Riverside believes that the health care bill is, “a step in the right direction.” Vernon Rollins of North Liberty agrees and says that it is great that it passed. Vernon was one of the many lucky to receive a ticket to enter the building.

US health legislation receives mixed reviews in Iowa as Obama holds crucial rally

By Amy Tiffany, Guest Reporter, University of Iowa

When President Obama came into Iowa City Wednesday afternoon to speak, people voiced their opinions. The University of Iowa campus was buzzing with energy, emotions, and adrenaline as protesters and supporters rallied before and after the historic event took place at the Field House, speaking up about the highly controversial Health Care Reform that was recently passed.

One protester sign said, ‘My Money, My Health, My Choice.’ Another said, ‘We Earn our Healthcare’ and ‘Honk if I pay your Medical Bills.’ Supporters held up signs saying ‘Healthcare for America Now’ and ‘Obama 08 Thank You’ and ‘Change.’ The opinions varied as much as the signs.

Robert Foster, a Korean War veteran and Iowa City resident said, “I think it’s good for the country,” and he said it’s a first step in the right direction to help young and old people.

Another veteran expressed a different opinion. “He [President Obama] lies constantly,” said Mark McAvon, a veteran of the Vietnam War. He asked President Obama to be more transparent, and not sneak behind America’s back.

University of Iowa junior Kevin Hickey, who had stopped to observe during the couple of hours he had between classes, agreed. He said Obama needs to face the people up front with what he is doing, and asked, why does Obama have to go around selling the Health Care Reform?



McAvon also said the day the Health Care Reform passed was the day freedom died.
Some people were concerned with the financial issues. Sarah Turner, from Washington, Iowa, said America does not have the money for this. Hickey said, “We’re all going to have to pay for this somehow.”

Not all were concerned with the same financial issues. A bystander in a different conversation said to a Republican, “All you care about are rich people!” Turner said the quality of medical care will go down. “There won’t be home grown doctors,” said Kitty Rehberg and Linda Bowden, who traveled from Independence, Iowa to protest.

“Doctor Obama, your prescriptions don’t work,” the pair said while chuckling.
But inside the Field House was where the majority of the supporters would be found. During the speech UI senior Krisanne Ryther said Obama did a good job explaining the positive affects the Health Care Reform will have in laymen’s terms, and even laughed at how UNI’s upset against Kansas messed up his NCAA bracket.

Though tensions were high and everyone had a different opinion of President Obama and the Health Care Reform, one thing was for sure. His visit brought out the passion of University of Iowa students and residents.

OWUSU-YEBOAH: RE: Why Obama may be wrong on Ghana

By:Prince Owusu-Yeboah
Published: July 30, 2009 10:59 PM CDT

I write in response to Etse Sikanku’s article with the above title which was posted on myjoyonline.com.

First of all, I will like to emphatically say that I am in TOTAL DISAGREEMENT with you on the matter of Ghana, and for the most part of Africa in general! I think that over and over again, people fail to appreciate how far Ghana, and Africa in general, has come. As a matter of fact, i believe that in the history of mankind it is unprecedented in the manner that after being dominated and raped of our resources, human and natural, we should find ourselves, in such a short time of “so-called” independence, in the right direction towards democracy and potential prosperity! That is a miracle and tremendous improvement for a people!

If you want to begin talks about how far we have come, then please compare the status of the developed countries to where they were after 50+ years of their independence.

Take the United States of America for example; do you recall what was happening there around the years 1820s and 1830s? I am sure you know pretty well, so won’t bother to get explicit on that matter! If you judge it from that standpoint then i will begin to appreciate your assertions and pronouncements better!

Another point that i want to emphasize is that, democracy and capitalism is something that has been forced on us, and i believe we are doing a very good job at that. Considering that we come from traditions of chieftaincies and autocratic rule. I think our people are holding up very well! Your thoughts on tribalistic leanings are off base, because if you look at the political parties in Ghana today, you have representation of all the tribes! Now whether there will be changes to the voting patterns as per locations (i.e. Volta and North voting NDC, as compared to Ashanti and Eastern voting NPP), i believe strongly that it is also changing. For example, if you look at the voter numbers for the presidential elections 2008 in Ashanti, you will see that there was a high increase and support for the NDC, of which there has never been.

The conclusion therefore is that people are beginning to look at issues in voting, rather on sentiments. The NPP complained low voter turnout of their supporters in the first round of voting in the 2008 elections. Well, that basically tells me that democracy is working; in the sense that, supporters discontent with ruling parties are protesting by not going to the polls, period. Democracy is working and we are doing it! We need to congratulate ourselves for it and maintain the process and progress.

I think we need to encourage that, and stop comparing what has been a dark past in African politics with civil strife and senseless violence. Ghana as an example for the rest of Africa will go a long way to stabilising the continent. I agree with you that, when Ghana had its first successful coup d’état, the rest of Africa braced itself with other successful coups in their respective countries. Perhaps the time has come when the other African countries will emulate what’s happening in Ghana and try to be a symbol of hope for their people.

We are not quite there yet, but, Ghana is working, so let’s start pinpointing on the positives and the achievements. We will one day wake up to see a very prosperous and poverty-free Africa.

THE FUTURE IS FOR AFRICA!

SIKANKU: Why Obama may be wrong on Ghana

By : Etse Sikanku

Africans especially Ghanaians made much ado-and rightly so- about Obama’s first visit to the continent of his father. And while there was no question about the depth of symbolism associated with his trip, intense debate prevailed-and still does-over why he chose Ghana.

Despite the bright spots in the country’s contemporary politics-and the huge potential it exudes, there is one fundamental point missing from the whole story.

Why isn’t anyone talking about the fact that from the realistic viewpoint, Ghana’s democracy still remains doubtful?

It has been said that “facts are sacred”: so let’s start from there since unlike opinions there can only be one set of them. Ghana’s place in history is unquestioned: first Sub-Saharan country to gain independence, five successful democratic elections since 1992, high voter turnout at elections and a relatively peaceful political atmosphere.

For the most practical purposes Ghana was the political beau idéal.

But while it is okay to encourage a seemingly progressive nation, any honest observer of our politics knows this isn’t quite the entire picture. Let’s get things straight. The irony of Obama’s trip is that while upholding the country as a model of democracy he failed to acknowledge the unmistakable paradox. Ghana may have organized five back to back elections since 1992 but its democracy remains shaky.

The official Washington explanation is that they’re “lifting up successful models” such as Ghana as a ‘reward’ for their democratic credentials. The media reported that Obama hopes his visit will spur others to “emulate the West African country’s democratic record.”

Ghana. Model of democracy? Really?

Is the US so desperate to prove to the world that democracy works or are they just naïve? Here is a country which cannot even fulfill the most basic of the democratic requirements: credible elections. Secondly, events from not just the last election in Ghana-but the ones preceding it-where a number of lives were lost from Accra to Bawku show that the democratic experiment is far from emulation. Party politics in Ghana is still largely defined by ethnicity, religion, money laundering and the cult of personality. Not issues and ideas. The “North” and Volta will continue to vote for anyone other than the NPP and Ashanti will always go NPP. What Tocqueville said of French society in the 19th century holds true today for Ghanaian politics- “shared hatreds are almost always the basis of friendships.”

It is only in Africa that sloppy elections are acceptable and everything is seen in relative terms; “Relatively peaceful” “relatively developed” “relatively stable” “relatively prosperous”. On what parameters is this relativism defined? I think most of us in Ghana like to hide our shortcomings by taking the easy way: make ourselves look good by pointing to worse neighbors.

Unfortunately, a nation that continues to lower standards is only preparing excuses for inevitable failure.

Many Ghanaians will be hard pressed for answers (since we’re supposed to be a model) if you ask them to identify a couple of reasons why we’re so “successful” and other African countries are not. If history indeed repeats itself, then in fact, Ghana’s contagious influence should be viewed with skepticism--considering how our predilection for coups right after independence caught on with the rest of the continent.

Almost everyone is writing about how inspirational Obama’s visit to Africa has been and I don’t want to be the party pooper. However the crux of my argument is that ignoring the underlying problems that continue to make us poor and “relatively stable” is hardly helpful. Worse still, we may one day find ourselves where Kenya did in January 2008. Don’t forget that like Ivory Coast, theirs was a country which had not experienced a single coup before the electoral violence marred what was otherwise a bastion of “relative stability”.

Better to admit and confront our shortcomings head on than risk asking ourselves later on: what happened?

ULZEN APPIAH: Obama talks to AllAfrica.com about visit to Ghana, etc

I haven't followed Barack Obama much since he became the US president but ever since news broke of his impending visit to Ghana July 10-11, I've become a little more attentive. I hear he will be giving a speech at the Independence Square for which Ghanaians from all walks of lie could go see him speak. Obama is noted for great speeches and I believe we have another one coming up, after his stirring speech at the American University of Cairo earlier this year.

Recently, he sat down with journalists from AllAfrica.com to talk about his visit to Ghana. Ghana is seen as one of the shining stars on the continent and it's easy to see why it would be chosen. It is also a leader in the Pan-African movement, with events like Panafest. President Kuffour also built great ties with Bush's America and the ties will continue with Obama-Mills. Barack Obama is believed to be visiting the Central Region during his short stay in Ghana, probably touring the slave castles there and learning about some more Black history.

There's been a lot of controversy over Obama's visit to Ghana, being his first to a Sub-Saharan country. Kenya feels it should have been them, since Barack's father was Kenyan and Nigeria feels it should have gotten the nod over Ghana. Wole Soyinka mentioned that Nigeria must put its house in order before it gets paid a visit by Obama and his statement sparked a lot in Naija with some criticizing him of 'treason'. Obama mentions his reason for visiting Ghana in the first part of this interview

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xu0AECMc5iE


When asked about why he chose to go to Ghana, he said Ghana had undergone a couple of successful elections and President Mills has shown himself committed to a rule of law. He mentions that there is a direct correlation between governance and prosperity and he wants to highlight that - an effective model as an example for the rest of Africa. Barack Obama has been a big proponent of technological tools. Africans can SMS questions to Obama to be answered on his visit using these codes: Ghana (1731), Nigeria (32969), Kenya (5683) and South Africa (31958). He also talked about the importance of cheap and efficient agricultural technologies for Africa. Some low-tech technologies are also needed to improve food production.

People are mentioning Ghana's oil find as one of the major reasons for Obama's visit. Production has been slated for this year and though the quantities won't be near what is produced in Nigeria or Libya, it will be large enough to have a significant bearing on the nation's financial assets. Some also claim Ghana is going to agree to host an African Command (a US military base) something Nigeria and South Africa don't want to do, and the reason why these countries were bypassed for Ghana. They sound like conspiracy theories.

The second part of the Obama interview
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lt2MucAPeHw


He harped on stability a lot in his interview; following models that work for a period of time as well as preaching stability. Concerning his legacy for Africa, he would like to see the United States as an effective partner for African countries and built political, civil and economic institutions that allowed for improved living conditions and greater security. I loved when he mentioned that Africans could stay in their countries and succeed. If you're following trends these days, it is becoming increasingly easy to succeed in Ghana and Africa.

It's exciting to see Obama choose to visit Ghana, but how will we measure the success of his visit? Cape Coast is seeing a facelift for his arrival, but will it see the kind of development it deserves afterwards? Would this visit increase investment in Ghanaian enterprises back home? There are many questions to answer and it sounds like a topic for a breakout session at BarCamp Diaspora.

In the spirit of Obama's visit to Ghana, if you will be around DC July 25th, you should try and attend BarCamp Diaspora. It will be a day's event of dialogue, discussions and demos about a rising Ghana, organized at Johns Hopkins' School of Advanced International Studies. If you have any interest in Ghana or Africa for that matter, and want to share ideas, network, learn about opportunities in Ghana or some of the businesses and projects out there, this is an event for you.