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The Dartmouth
July 10, 2025 | Latest Issue
The Dartmouth

'Kumar' rallies action for Obama

Actor Kal Penn champions student activism for Democratic presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama in Fahey residence hall on Sunday.
Actor Kal Penn champions student activism for Democratic presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama in Fahey residence hall on Sunday.

Penn appealed to the audience to take an active role in the upcoming election, urging them to volunteer as much as possible.

"The fact that you're at such an elite school gives you the opportunity to give back," he said. "State schools are doing a lot more, and I'd like to see you get to that level."

Penn described himself as a life-long independent who has voted for "as many Democrats as Republicans."

He cited Obama's speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention as a turning point for him, quoting the Obama's call for "no more red states or blue states but a united states." He said that the candidate's experience as a community organizer, civil rights lawyer and constitutional law professor demonstrates his unique perspective and ability to "change the face of the free world."

Penn specifically addressed issues relevant to students, emphasizing Obama's plans for making college more affordable.

"Michelle and Barack only paid off their student loans two years ago using money from his book," he said. "When I found that out, I knew they would understand what life is like for college students."

In an interview with The Dartmouth, Penn continued to stress the power that college students have to determine the outcome of this year's election.

"I've been visiting schools for the past year, and as time goes on, students are only getting more excited," he said.

Penn credited New Hampshire students with building excitement during the primaries, claiming that New Hampshire was a model for student organizers across the country. There have been surprising numbers of Republican and independent student voters at rallies for Obama, Penn said.

"We were at Miami University in Ohio, which is one of the most conservative colleges in the country, and more than 500 kids showed up when we thought we might get 30," he said. "The College Democrats there were absolutely floored -- it's been a really refreshing experience."

When asked about any drawbacks that the level of excitement might have for Obama's candidacy, Penn explained that the candidate is not promising immediate solutions.

"With the mess that [President George W.] Bush and [Vice President Dick] Cheney have created, there are no quick fixes," he said. "What I like is that he isn't talking down to young voters, but he's challenging us to volunteer and saying that he can't do it without us."

Penn addressed criticism of celebrity involvement in politics and claims that Obama will be unable to deliver on promises that have excited young voters. Penn admitted that celebrities can distract from important issues, but added that surrogates will be volunteering on get-out-the-vote efforts and doing grassroots work for the Obama campaign, which is a departure from celebrities' traditional roles as figure heads in past campaigns.

College Democrats president, David Imamura '10 said that celebrity events reinforce Obama's platform of change in this country.

"What's unique about Senator Obama's campaign is that he brings in all these different people who were never involved in politics before," he said.

Imamura said that celebrities can show young voters a fun side of politics and help them understand the importance of volunteering.

The event was organized by Tay Stevenson '10 and Beau Trudel '10. Stevenson said he thought the event was a success, especially given the short notice from state organizers. The goal of the event was to target unregistered voters and freshmen students specifically, using an intimate lounge setting where people could mingle, he said. Stevenson explained that celebrity events are held mainly to encourage volunteerism rather than to discuss policy issues.

"Celebrities can provide an incentive and motivation to really get out there and take an hour or two a week to volunteer," Stevenson said. "When students see that the guy from House can do it, they want to do it too."

The rally also included appearances by actress Olivia Wilde, actor Justin Long, and Molly Shaheen, daughter of former Governor Jeanne Shaheen, the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senator from New Hampshire.