Ari Gold Endorses Obama! - Democratic Underground

JimGinPA

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Thu Apr-03-08 10:52 AM
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Ari Gold Endorses Obama!

http://www.idsnews.com/news/story.aspx?id=50131&comview=1

Actor Jeremy Piven prompted laughter Wednesday when he told the audience his reason for touring to support Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.

“It’s because I’m black,” he said.

Piven, known for his role as Ari Gold on HBO’s “Entourage,” talked to students Wednesday in the Frangipani Room of the Indiana Memorial Union about supporting and voting for Obama in the Indiana primary on May 6. The small room was completely filled with students, cameras and phones in hand, waiting to ask Piven for an autograph or photo.

Piven started off talking about teenagers he met in Santa Monica, Calif., who were going to be sent to Iraq.

“They wanted to spend their last 24 hours on the pier,” he said. “I support them and the rest of our troops, but they need to come home.”

Switching to the presidential race, Piven told the audience that Obama has been beating the odds for a long time.

“He stands up for things in such a beautiful way,” he said.

Tim Granholm, president of IU Students for Barack Obama, said he was excited to have Piven on campus.

“Piven being here might bring people to this event (who) normally wouldn’t come,” he said.

After joking about why he supported Obama, Piven gave the real reason of why he thinks the Illinois senator should be president.

“Barack Obama’s presence is so fascinating,” he said. “He gets that it’s more than just about himself; he wants to improve the quality of life for all of us.”

Freshman Corey Celt said he liked the fact that actors are touring to promote candidates.

“I am interested in the election, and I’m also a fan of ‘Entourage,’” he said. “It’s definitely cool when you hear celebrities advocating for a candidate.”

When an audience member asked Piven about celebrities and their impact on people when it comes to supporting presidential candidates, Piven said he didn’t know if he could sway public opinion.

“I have no idea what impact I have,” he said. “I am literally just a stage actor from Chicago. I hope I have a good impact.”

Piven said Obama’s leadership style came through in the way he handled recent controversies.

“People say Obama has a lack of experience, but he’s been doing this for 12 years,” Piven said. “One of the major changes he is going to make is in our education system. When he talked about the issue with him and Rev. Wright, he was so inspiring. He faced it head-on, like a real leader. It was devised to knock him down, but it only revealed even more how honest and open he is.”

Piven said he thinks the American public has been dealing with lies for a long time, and now everyone wants the truth.

“The more I read, the more I know, the more I like,” Piven said.

Freshman Paul Testa said he enjoyed Piven’s speech

and humor.

“I thought it was interesting to hear what he had to say and to hear his stories,” he said.