Co-founder of Facebook praises Barack Obama
Chelsea Delnero
Issue date: 11/29/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
"Barack Obama is a once-in-a-generation candidate," said Chris Hughes, co-founder of Facebook and online organizer for the Obama campaign to Keene State College students in Morrison Hall on Nov. 13.
Hughes, 23, invented the social networking Web site with his Harvard roommates at age 19 and has been working with the Obama campaign since February. He spoke about both Facebook and the presidential hopeful and how they are connected.
"These are two entities that are incredibly well-known and poised for success. The strength of both is only a result of people reaching out to their peers," said Hughes.
Hughes also noted that although Facebook does not endorse the Obama campaign, his political views do not differ from the other founders.
"We're all in the same boat," he said.
Hughes could not comment on any of the financial aspects of Facebook, but he did note that neither him nor his roommates counted on the Web site being such a success.
"It exploded without us doing anything. The reason it grows is because users understand the value of bringing their friends to Facebook and expanding the circle," said Hughes.
Hughes encouraged the audience to get involved by joining the KSC Obama group on Facebook. He also encouraged students to visit my.barackobama.com, the Web site designed by Hughes as a social network for Obama supporters.
"Since day one this campaign has been using the technology at hand and it is stronger when Barack's supporters bring their friends and family into it," he said.
Hughes said he feels Obama's strongest issue is ending the war in Iraq and doing it in a responsible way.
"This issue is one of the reasons [Obama] resonates with me so much," he said.
Hughes noted that Obama's campaign has grown tremendously through the help of young voters.
"When they observe how he approached problems in the past and how he will in the future, young people see a promise of a new kind of politics in Obama," he said.
Leigh Arsenault, KSC organizer for the Obama campaign, told students there are no current plans for Obama to visit KSC before the New Hampshire primary but if plans change, the school will not know until approximately one week before the visit.
However, she encouraged students to keep asking about Obama and to get involved with his campaign.
"You could push this campaign over the top," she said.
Kristina Althoff, youth vote directer for New Hampshire agreed.
"This election is very important. We are going to make a difference in this election," said Althoff.
Hughes told students he doesn't have any plans after the campaign is over because he is too busy focusing on Obama's success.
"My life is Barack Obama. It's everything I focus on. I barely have time to think about today's issues. I am entirely focused on getting [him] elected."
Hughes, 23, invented the social networking Web site with his Harvard roommates at age 19 and has been working with the Obama campaign since February. He spoke about both Facebook and the presidential hopeful and how they are connected.
"These are two entities that are incredibly well-known and poised for success. The strength of both is only a result of people reaching out to their peers," said Hughes.
Hughes also noted that although Facebook does not endorse the Obama campaign, his political views do not differ from the other founders.
"We're all in the same boat," he said.
Hughes could not comment on any of the financial aspects of Facebook, but he did note that neither him nor his roommates counted on the Web site being such a success.
"It exploded without us doing anything. The reason it grows is because users understand the value of bringing their friends to Facebook and expanding the circle," said Hughes.
Hughes encouraged the audience to get involved by joining the KSC Obama group on Facebook. He also encouraged students to visit my.barackobama.com, the Web site designed by Hughes as a social network for Obama supporters.
"Since day one this campaign has been using the technology at hand and it is stronger when Barack's supporters bring their friends and family into it," he said.
Hughes said he feels Obama's strongest issue is ending the war in Iraq and doing it in a responsible way.
"This issue is one of the reasons [Obama] resonates with me so much," he said.
Hughes noted that Obama's campaign has grown tremendously through the help of young voters.
"When they observe how he approached problems in the past and how he will in the future, young people see a promise of a new kind of politics in Obama," he said.
Leigh Arsenault, KSC organizer for the Obama campaign, told students there are no current plans for Obama to visit KSC before the New Hampshire primary but if plans change, the school will not know until approximately one week before the visit.
However, she encouraged students to keep asking about Obama and to get involved with his campaign.
"You could push this campaign over the top," she said.
Kristina Althoff, youth vote directer for New Hampshire agreed.
"This election is very important. We are going to make a difference in this election," said Althoff.
Hughes told students he doesn't have any plans after the campaign is over because he is too busy focusing on Obama's success.
"My life is Barack Obama. It's everything I focus on. I barely have time to think about today's issues. I am entirely focused on getting [him] elected."
Viewing Comments 1 - 7 of 9
Margo Howland
posted 11/28/07 @ 9:48 PM EST
What a great article! I'll save it for my scrapbook about the campaign.
Narnians4Obama
Margaret kiritu
posted 11/28/07 @ 11:22 PM EST
this is a good idea
Amy
posted 11/29/07 @ 1:49 AM EST
I think it's really inappropriate for Hughes to be on the ground, campaigning for Obama under the umbrella of Facebook.
Considering the kind of power a site like this has over the college demographic and the fact that Hughes is a nobody without it, something seems fishy. (Continued…)
Amy
posted 11/29/07 @ 2:00 AM EST
Also, now that we know Facebook is broadcasting private information on users' online shopping activities, how do we know personal information won't be passed on to political campaigns?
On a separate but similiar note, I've heard complaints from a number of students regarding the aggressive telephone tactics of the Obama campaign. (Continued…)
Ken L
posted 11/29/07 @ 2:48 AM EST
Obama named the "Man of the Year"
eNews Reference
posted 11/29/07 @ 12:59 PM EST
Obama as received accolades drom avenues that didn't exist in the Democratic party before... http://www.enewsrference.com
Sarah Goss
posted 11/30/07 @ 9:45 AM EST
As an elderly white female I have seen it all in politics, but I have never seen anything like Barack Obama. I am willing to bet he is all that he says he is by supporting him and by encouraging others to do so. (Continued…)
Post a Comment