WISCONSINREPORT.COM (02/12/08) - The Barack Obama for President Campaign will be launching a massive text message volunteer recruitment drive at tonight’s rally at the Kohl Center. The drive will be unprecedented in Wisconsin political history and is expected to yield thousands of volunteer hours to help the Obama campaign organize for the critical February 19th Wisconsin primary. Governor Jim Doyle says tonight's Obama event in Madison will be a chance to get involved in the Obama movement to change America. Doors at the Kohl Center will open at 6:00 PM tonight.

“This will be more than just a rally – it will be a chance to get involved in this movement to change America,” Governor Doyle said. “From ending the war in Iraq to making college affordable to bringing universal health care, Barack Obama is the candidate who will bring our country together to make the change America needs and stand up for the middle class.”

Attendees at the rally are asked to bring their cell phones to participate in the text message drive. In addition, hundreds of volunteers will be on hand throughout the arena signing up attendees for shifts at phonebanking locations, going door to door, giving rides to the polls on Election Day and other Get Out the Vote activities.

In addition to the volunteer recruitment drive, attendees will be asked to sign up for the campaign’s text messaging list which will allow them to get updates from the campaign, volunteer opportunities throughout the week, and reminders about early voting, same day registration, and getting out to vote on Election Day.

Governor Doyle also outlined the massive effort now underway to spread the word about the rally – Senator Obama’s first campaign stop in Wisconsin this year:

• Over the weekend, about 100 volunteers were flyering throughout Madison

• The campaign has had more than 100 phone lines going on our phone banks, staffed by hundreds of volunteers over the past two days. As of yesterday, the campaign had made more than 5,000 calls.

• The campaign is using email, text messaging, Facebook and MySpace to encourage Wisconsin primary voters to attend.

• Those interested in attending the Madison rally at the Kohl Center should continue to RSVP on the wi.barackobama.com/madison

Due to an anticipated strong turnout, doors to the public will open earlier than planned -- starting at 6 p.m. Cold weather and lines are expected so people should dress warmly.

Senator Obama will be coming to Wisconsin as polls are closing in Maryland, Washington, D.C, and Virginia – building on Senator Obama’s strong victory on February 5th, when he won more states and more delegates than Senator Clinton, as well as his success in winning five straight primaries and caucuses since February 5th. So far, Obama seems to be winning the support of Americans of every race and gender in every region of the country, showing that he is the candidate who may be able to transform the electoral map and lead Democrats to victory in November 2008.

This rally is just the beginning of an intense effort in the final week of the campaign here in Wisconsin to make the case to voters that it is time for a president who will stand up for middle class families and not special interests. The message of the Obama campaign is that we need a president who can bring our country together to make change happen – from ending the war in Iraq to investing in American jobs to making college more affordable to passing universal health care.

“Wisconsin is a battleground state in the general election – one of the closest states in recent presidential elections,” Governor Doyle said. “And if you can’t compete and win here among Democratic primary voters, it doesn’t bode well for winning the White House in November. That’s why Senator Obama is going to be working very hard here, and we believe he is in a very strong position.”

The event is free and open to the public. Tickets are not required, but an RSVP is encouraged. To RSVP or for more information, visit http://wi.barackobama.com/Madison.