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    Archive for September, 2010



    Just Days Left to Register

    Monday, September 27th, 2010

    There are just days left to register to vote! Once your state has reached its registration deadline that’s it. If you’re not registered to vote, you’re not voting in the November 2010 election. But why have that happen? We have a really simply to use voter registration tool that can get you a voter registration form filled out in just a couple of minutes.

    Click this link to get your registration form!

    To find when your state’s voter registration deadline is, check out our new site Electionland.com.

    Jason
    Bio:

    Email the author at: blog(at)rockthevote.com



    Student journalists address the issues with Obama

    Monday, September 27th, 2010

    What is Barack Obama doing to help you manage student loans, or find a job after college? What would you say if you could call him up and ask him? Today student journalists from colleges around the country spent some time on the phone with the president to ask these questions, clearly speaking on behalf of their generation and voicing some of its deepest concerns. While the students received some congrats from Obama on their school’s latest wins in football, they also asked questions that got to the heart of their generation’s issues, including jobs, college affordability, student loan debt, and healthcare. Rock the Vote’s most recent poll of young people found these to be among the top issues for young people, with 96 percent saying they’re concerned about the level of unemployment in this country.

    Colin Daileda of Radford University in Virginia set the tone by raising the issue of jobs and student loans. Daileda said some of his professors referred to Millennials as the “lost generation” due to high debt from student loans and bleak job prospects after college. “Do you think it will take a longer time than usual for our generation to get on our feet?” he asked Obama.

    The president responded that while times are tough for young people right now, he is sure this generation will be just fine. In terms of what his administration is doing for young people, Obama pointed out that being able to stay on your parents’ health insurance until age 26 should help out financially, plus they have increased both the amount and availability of the Pell grants.

    Throughout the call, Obama addressed the student journalists’ concerns over education and the economy, outlining a three-part plan that made direct connections between the two issues. He said his administration is working to 1. Make college more affordable, 2. Making sure college creates a workforce ready for the jobs of the future, and 3. Making sure everyone who begins college actually graduates. The president closed by saying that the Millennial generation can work together to solve the problems it has inherited, something that young people also affirmed in our recent poll. Eighty-three percent of those surveyed said they believe young people have the power to change things in this country. Obama reminded these young people of the confidence and enthusiasm they have shown in the past.

    “The energy that you were able to bring to our politics in 2008,” Obama said, “That’s needed not less now, it’s needed more now.”

    (You can read the whole transcript of the call by clicking here).

    Tom Yarnell
    Bio: Tom is a former Rock the Vote communications team member who now works for an intellectual property law firm in DC. He loves sports and coming back to blog for RTV!
    @thomasyarnell
    Email the author at: blog(at)rockthevote.com



    Vote Naked Illinois

    Monday, September 27th, 2010

    If you live in Illinois, you now have the opportunity to vote by mail. Getting signed up to vote by mail is really easy to do and it makes voting even easier. Now, if you’re planning a trip that keeps you from home on Election Day, no problem, you voted. If something comes up that keeps you away from the ballot box, no problem, you’ve already voted. Maybe you’ve always wanted to participate in the democratic process in the nude! Now you can vote naked from the comfort of your home.

    Check out vote Naked Illinois’ site, become a fan on Facebook and watch some of their hilarious videos. If you live in Illinois, you can consider voting naked this fall.

    Jason
    Bio:

    Email the author at: blog(at)rockthevote.com



    Colbert testifies before Congress

    Friday, September 24th, 2010

    Congress got quite a show this morning when Stephen Colbert testified before the House subcommittee on immigration. While keeping with his comedic TV persona, Colbert answered serious questions from House members at a hearing titled “Protecting America’s Harvest.”

    Colbert discussed his work on the United Farm Workers’ (UFW) “Take Our Jobs” campaign, which was meant to discredit the idea that illegal immigrants take away jobs from U.S. citizens.

    The “Take Our Jobs” campaign offers Americans the chance to work in the fields if they believe undocumented workers are taking good agriculture jobs from US citizens. During an interview this summer, Colbert asked UFW President Arturo Rodriguez how many people had taken the challenge – the answer was three. “Make that four,” Colbert responded. “I’ll do it.”

    The episode featuring Colbert’s day in the fields aired this Tuesday as a lead up to his testimony in Washington today. Click here to watch Stephen Colbert testify before Congress.

    Amanda Pagay
    Bio:

    Email the author at: blog(at)rockthevote.com



    News Round-Up: Friday, September 24, 2010

    Friday, September 24th, 2010

    Hey Rockers,

    In today’s news we have election reform bills, more reaction to the Pledge to America, students mobilizing to register people on their campus, and Justin Bieber guest stars on CSI. PLUS, we just launched a new site called Electionland where you can find out everything you need to know to vote this fall and ask questions! Check it out: http://bit.ly/9a0zez

    CRUCIAL:

    Senate Democrats again fail to pass campaign disclosure law: http://bit.ly/aFf8yu

    A law that would require corporations and special interest groups to provide more details on their political donations failed to pass in the Senate.

    Justice Department objects to court action on ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’: http://bit.ly/a1jnOM

    While a federal court ruled that “don’t ask, don’t tell”  is unconstitutional, the government refused to immediately lift the policy.

    Colbert storms Capitol Hill for migrant workers: http://bit.ly/9t4Va6

    Colbert stayed in character for his testimony at a hearing today, which caused some to speculate whether or not the issue of migrant labor is being taken seriously.

    W.H. prepares for staff shake-up: http://bit.ly/cJHTS1

    The White House is trying to clarify rumors over when Rahm Emanuel and David Axelrod will leave their posts and how it will affect the administration.

    At U.N., Obama shifts emphasis: http://bit.ly/d9wXRO

    Obama made promoting human rights and democracy a focal point of his speech to the UN yesterday.

    “Pledge to America” Gets Mixed Reviews from Conservatives: http://bit.ly/cjrvZp

    Not all Republicans are pleased with the Pledge to America, with some saying it’s too light on substance.

    Rockin’ Rock Band with Rock the Vote: http://politi.co/d2H690

    Politico’s Patrick Gavin stopped by our DC office to play some Rock Band with Rock the Vote President Heather Smith and Digital Director Jason Rosenberg!

    Will Obama’s youth movement return for crucial midterm vote?: http://bit.ly/bp3rys

    The Obama administration is hoping it can recapture those youth votes from 2008.

    The youth vote in Wisconsin: http://bit.ly/dcD7pY

    A Wisconsin paper breaks down how young voter trends in the state in anticipation of Obama’s visit to the University of Wisconsin next Tuesday.

    UC and CSU campuses race to register student voters: http://bit.ly/dnJRLk

    The University of California and California State University are making a push to register student voters before the deadline and they’ll be collaborating with Rock the Vote for an awesome concert on October 15.

    Rock the Vote launches Electionland!: http://bit.ly/cfBmot

    This summary of our new voter information center Electionland comes from Colorado, but we’ve got info there on every state! You can find out where to vote, how to vote, and more about the candidates up for election. Check it out: http://bit.ly/9a0zez

    Judge denies class action status for unhappy Crist donors: http://bit.ly/a7mKiA

    Many of Charlie Crist’s supporters who donated when he was still running as a Republican want their money back. The latest news from their lawsuit indicates that’s not likely to happen.

    Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez Says Vietnamese are Trying to Defeat Her: http://bit.ly/aIMiOY

    Orange County Democratic Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez is in some hot water for recent comments on who is trying to take her seat in Congress.

    CULTURAL:

    Watch ‘CSI’ With Only the Justin Bieber Parts: http://bit.ly/cOE07A

    The young pop star guest-starred on last night’s episode.

    Miley Cyrus Laughs Off Marriage Rumors: /bit.ly/8ZMbP4

    The former Disney Darling recently addressed a bunch of the rumors about her in a YouTube video.

    Oksana to Mel: I’ll Destroy The Tapes … for a Price: http://bit.ly/aaFK4u

    Is Oksana trying to extort Mel for more money?

    Tom Yarnell
    Bio: Tom is a former Rock the Vote communications team member who now works for an intellectual property law firm in DC. He loves sports and coming back to blog for RTV!
    @thomasyarnell
    Email the author at: blog(at)rockthevote.com