More than 750 people packed themselves into the Viking Union Multipurpose room to attend a "Get the Vote Out" rally, hosted by Western's Obama Vikings, said Western sophomore Colleen Toomey, one of the event coordinators.

Washington State Gov. Christine Gregoire and Washington State Sen. Patty Murray were just two of the seven Democratic politicians speaking at the rally, which was hosted by Western's Obama Vikings.

Gregoire, who said she was prepared to campaign until 8 p.m. Tuesday, was the event's main and final speaker.
Murray introduced the governor on stage, and Gregoire was welcomed with a standing ovation from the members of the Obama Vikings who shared the stage with her.

Gregoire's speech covered her main campaign points, such as providing affordable health care and maintaining Washington's current minimum wage.

All seven of the speakers used the rally to promote voting, as well as to discuss their own campaigns.

Kelly Linville, the incumbent running for State Representative in the 42nd District, started the rally off by encouraging the youth in the audience to vote. Linville said that while 60 percent of Whatcom County has already voted, only 25 percent of 18-24 year olds have voted, a comment received with hissing from the audience.

"This is an election where every vote counts," Linville said. "We're resting a lot on the young people in this room to get out there and get [their friends] to vote."

Incumbent Democrat Congressman Rick Larsen told members of the crowd their most important tool in this election was their index finger.

Use it to prod friends in the chest and encourage them to vote as well as to dial phone numbers and continue canvassing, he said.

Bellingham Mayor Dan Pike attended the rally to support his fellow Democratic politicians.

"The rally was really energizing," Pike said. "From my perspective, this is a transformational election with so many critical issues."

The Sunday before the rally, Pike said he went door-to-door in the rain, encouraging citizens to vote.

"I collected a few ballots, but most had already voted," Pike said. "It was really encouraging."

Linville said even if most of the audience had already voted, it was still important to get the word out to friends and family.

"Because you've already done your job as voters, I'm asking you to volunteer," Linville said.

Linville said she has not seen this much enthusiasm since 1992, when former President Bill Clinton was elected.

"It's very important that the enthusiasm that started this campaign, and that obviously is nationwide, will finish that campaign," Linville said. "And that it will not stop with [voters 25 and younger]."

Western senior Kess Smith was one of the first volunteers to show up at the Obama Viking's booth outside the Multipurpose room and was designated to blow up silver balloons used to decorate posters and tables advertising the event.

Western sophomore Ariana Rodriquez also volunteered at the rally for Obama Vikings. Rodriquez said part of the reason she came to the rally was to learn more about Gregoire's politics.

"I'm torn right now because I don't know as much as I want to," Rodriquez said.

Rodriquez was one of the few undecided voters at the rally.

"I've heard such mixed things about her," Rodriquez said. "I've heard that tuition is going to be affected. Some people say she's helping, some say she'll hurt it. How is she going to help me?"

Tess Solenberger, 14, said she would have voted for Gregoire if she was old enough. Tess skipped her classes at Fairhaven Middle School to attend the rally with her dad, Tom Solenberger.

"This is the first rally I've been to," Tess said. "There were a bunch of other classmates involved as well."

Tom said he went to the rally just to support Gregoire, who had his vote during the last election as well.

"Her approach is something that I can respect," Tom said.

Four years ago, Gregoire won the governor's seat by only 129 votes, out of a total of nearly three million ballots cast, according to The Seattle Times. That election has been called the closest governor race in American history by numerous news publications.

Many of the rally's speakers stressed the power of individual voters in this. Even Gregoire acknowledged their importance.

"When you win like I did last time, you know every vote counts," Gregoire said.

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