Obama Supporters Gather at OM

A sea of Obama pins, stickers, and posters flooded OM Restaurant & Lounge last night as supporters of Democratic nominee Barack Obama gathered to raise money and express their enthusiasm for the upcoming election.

The standing-room-only event—entitled Harvard for Change: An Evening with Harvard Faculty for Obama—was hosted by Harvard’s myriad Democratic student organizations, including the Harvard Kennedy School Democratic Caucus, Harvard College Democrats, Harvard Business School Democrats, and Harvard Law School Democrats.

Jarret A. Zafran ’09, president of the Harvard College Democrats, stressed the event’s goal of “unification,” saying that the format broke down barriers between the different Harvard schools and between faculty and students.

Attendees included not only Harvard affiliates but also students from other schools in the Boston area, as well as community residents.

The event featured speeches by prominent Harvard faculty supporters of Obama, such as Kennedy school lecturer Linda J. Bilmes, law professor Kenneth W. Mack, professor of international relations Joseph S. Nye, and government and sociology professor Theda R. Skocpol.

“For the first time in four decades, America can go in a very promising direction or continue on a very, very sad path,” Skocpol said.

Former Iowa governor and Fall 2008 Institute of Politics Fellow Thomas J. Vilsack, who also spoke at the event, told listeners that they had the opportunity to make history in November.

Mack, who reflected on his memories of being Obama’s classmate at HLS 20 years ago, spoke to Obama’s assets as a candidate.

“We finally have the opportunity to elect a president who is very smart, who wants to know the truth,” he said. Mack contrasted Obama with the Republicans, who he said are “running an anti-intellectual campaign masquerading as a populist campaign.”

Harvard College Republicans President Colin J. Motley ’10 said that although the Republicans are not planning a similar fundraising event for McCain, all of their meetings involve hosting a Republican speaker or faculty member, with past guests including professor of business and government Roger B. Porter, former spokesman for the 9/11 Commission Al Felzenberg, and Republican political media consultant Alex Castellanos, who is also an IOP Fellow this semester.

The recommended donation for attending was $20, and the minimum was $10.

Attendees said they viewed the evening as a great success.

“It turned out fantastic,” said Adam G. Cooper, chair of the HKS Democratic Caucus. “It gives me a lot of optimism for the next three weeks.”