Looking good- Obama campaign to target voters in barbershops

The Obama campaign hosted a conference call to unveil a new, unique voter registration initiative geared towards reaching out to unregistered voters in the African American community. The call featured appearances by Obama campaign senior advisor Rick Wade as well as actress Kerry Washington and actor Blair Underwood.

Obama’s team discussed how they plan to connect with African American voters by recognizing the importance of barbers and beauticians in the lives of young people. They said they will pay particular attention to the black communities of Detroit, Atlanta, and Jacksonville, although noted that their “barbershop program” is a nationwide effort to mobilize voters.

The campaign explained that their focus on targeting community- based small businesses, will teach the “boys who become men” in barbershops about politics. Also, the campaign will provide barbers in African American communities with videos telling “the story of Senator Obama” to be played while people are getting their hair cut.