THE PENDULUM

by Alexa Milan, May 8, 2008

Elon students know him from films like “Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle” and “The Namesake” and hit TV shows like “House” and “24,” but on May 4 actor Kal Penn visited Elon to discuss why he supports Barack Obama for president and why it is important for America’s youth to vote.

Penn’s talk, sponsored by Students for Barack Obama and Obama for America, drew a large crowd of spectators. The event was set up in a section of McKinnon Hall, which had to be expanded to fit all of the students who showed up.

After the crowd’s cheers died down as he approached the podium, Penn shared his experiences working with Obama’s campaign. Penn first became involved with the campaign in January when he traveled to Iowa to help out at the state’s primary. What began as a weekend trip turned into a month-and-a-half-long stay.

“The disclaimer I should give you is that there was a writer’s strike in California,” Penn told the laughing group of students. “So I had no job.”

Penn held students’ attention with his informal discussion and personable demeanor as he explained why Obama’s policies appeal to him. He highlighted Obama’s education plan, which would give a $4,000 tax credit to any person who wants to go to college, his opposition to the war in Iraq and his dedication to finding Osama bin Laden. He also addressed Obama’s plans for health care, the economy and energy, which includes an 80 percent reduction in carbon emissions by 2050.

Penn also appreciates the senator on a personal level. He met Obama while he was in Iowa and said he was impressed by how moved Obama was at the number of people from all backgrounds who voted for him and supported him.

“There are things like that that I guess aren’t really reported on because they’re not done for media spin,” Penn said after his talk. “But those of us that have spent time with him kind of see that he’s really a very genuine, intelligent man who I think would really make a phenomenal leader.”

Penn connected with the audience when he shared the story of one of his non-celebrity friends working a minimum wage job in Texas. Halliburton Energy Services offered his friend $90,000 a year to drive a truck in Iraq, a moment Penn described as “sobering.”

“It’s pretty sad that the world’s richest and most powerful country can only offer two options for our buddy who wants to go to school,” Penn said. “And that’s either minimum wage or 90 grand in a war zone driving a truck.”

Penn strongly emphasized changing the idea that students and America’s youth are apathetic and expected not to go out and vote. He pointed out that students have made millions of dollars for Web sites like Facebook, Myspace and Youtube and said that if we can make that much money for our peers, we can do wonders for the presidential election.

Penn applauded students for their participation in Obama’s One-Stop Early Voting drive and reminded the audience that every vote counts and every person makes a difference. He also pointed out that the youth vote in America has increased by 150 percent from 2004, proving that students really do care about their country.

“The numbers are very clear,” Penn said. “We’ve actually finally come together as a generation to do something good.”

Penn’s talk concluded to thunderous applause from the audience before he moved into a brief question and answer session. When he asked if there were any more questions, one student shouted “You’re the man, Kal!” to which Penn replied “Thank you sir, as are you!”

To find out more about Obama’s campaign in North Carolina, visit nc.barackobama.com. Penn can currently be seen on Fox’s “House” and in “Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay.”