Though one of Chicago’s standout politician and community organizers is seemingly well on his way from the South Side of the city and the halls of the state Senate in Springfield, to the White House, the race for the president of the United States h
Though one of Chicago’s standout politician and community organizers is seemingly well on his way from the South Side of the city and the halls of the state Senate in Springfield to the White House, the race for the president of the United States has done just what veteran political strategist Donna Brazile said that it would.
Speaking to a modest gathering of DePaul University students, on Oct. 20, Brazile said that in the last days of the presidential campaign, the race would get tighter and go down to the wire.
Her prediction was backed by decades-long insight and experience with presidential races and campaigns, including former Vice President Al Gore’s presidential bid in 2000.
The uber-Democratic insider was in town as part of a multi-campus stump across the country, in the last weeks of this year’s historic presidential race, to help galvanize young adults to get out the vote on Nov. 4.
The young adult, college-age demographic represents an estimated 15 percent of the electorate, Brazile explained, making their vote sought after and critical by both presidential nominees.
She advised the students gathered at St. Vincente de Paul Church on the North Side to not be lulled by Democratic Sen. Barack Obama’s double-digit lead over his Republican opponent, Sen. John McCain, in recent polls.
“This race will tighten,” Brazile, an educator and CNN political contributor, told the multi-ethnic group.
She cautioned them against getting caught up in what she considered media hype.
“We’re going to need you to calm the waters. There are those who are starting to trouble the waters,” she said.
In an interview with the Defender, in advance of the DePaul visit, Brazile touted the importance of the young adult vote.
She said that Obama and Sen. Hillary Clinton reaching out to the younger electorate had “inspired a new generation to service.”
______
Copyright 2008 Chicago Defender. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
About Post Author
