News & Views

Obama’s college campaign tour includes iPad first

By Jon Rapoport - Fri, 2010-10-29 20:55
Barack Obama
John McCain
Barbara Boxer
Jerry Brown
Russ Feingold

President Barack ObamaWith the 2010 midterm elections fast approaching, President Obama has been crisscrossing the country supporting his Democratic colleagues in both congressional and state electoral contests. Much of the President’s focus surrounds the mobilization of young people, a group so essential to his 2008 victory over Sen. John McCain (R-AZ). Many politicians and pundits believe the Democratic Party’s best chance of staving off considerable defeat involves a significant turnout from this very unpredictable voting demographic. Because of this, Mr. Obama has spent a considerable amount of time on or near college campuses.

Friday, the President stumped for Virginia Rep. Tom Perriello, in Charlottesville, just down the road from the University of Virginia. The event drew 8,000 people.

 

President Obama’s university travels have included:

 

University of Wisconsin-Madison, joining WI candidates such as Sen. Russ Feingold. The event drew 26,000 people.

 

The Ohio State University in Columbus for OH candidates, including Gov. Ted Strickland. The event drew 35,000 people.

 

University of Southern California in Los Angeles with Sen. Barbara Boxer and gubernatorial candidate Jerry Brown. The event drew just under 40,000 people.

 

University of Washington in Seattle, joining WA Sen. Patty Murray. The event drew 13,000 people. 

 

University of Minnesota, Twin Cities campus in Minneapolis, on behalf of MN gubernatorial candidate Mark Dayton. The event drew 11,000 people, after being moved indoors due to the threat of inclement weather.

 

Below are two pieces of video showing President Obama’s interaction with the crowd during the Seattle and Minneapolis appearances.  

The Seattle footage is noteworthy because it chronicles what is believed to be the first time a president has signed an autograph on an iPad, The iPad is owned by Sylvester Cann. The second Seattle video involves a news report further describing the iPad story. Mr. Obama is joined by Sen. Murray. 

The Minneapolis recording involves the President and candidate Dayton. He enters about 40 seconds into the video.

 

 

 

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Jon Rapoport has spent his career working on all sides of the media and sports industry. He began his career at ESPN in studio production at the ESPN headquarters in Bristol, Connecticut. While there, he won an Emmy for his contribution to "SportsCenter." Following his tenure at ESPN, Jon relocated to Los Angeles, joining the staff of the “Best Damn Sports Show” on FOX Sports Net.

Upon leaving the show, Jon worked in Web site and sports radio show development/production, with Major League Baseball in media operation logistics for the World Baseball Classic and on behalf of Los Angeles’ effort to bring the 2016 Summer Olympics back to Southern California. Jon currently writes a political blog for the Los Angeles edition of Examiner.com.

Born and raised in Plymouth, Minnesota (just outside of Minneapolis), Jon is an avid sports fan, particularly for his beloved Minnesota teams. Jon graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park, where he earned his BA in communication and interned for ABC’s “Good Morning America” in New York City and Washington D.C. He is married and resides in Los Angeles.  

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