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Page 8 The Skanner August 8, 2018 News Michelle Obama Joins Voter Registration Drive for the Midterms ormer First Lady Michelle Obama is featured in a video along with celebri- ties Tom Hanks, Janelle Monáe, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw and Lin-Manu- el Miranda to encourage people to register and vote. In less than 100 days, the midterm elections that will either expand President Trump’s pow- er or greatly restrict it, will take place on No- vember 6. There has been much talk about the likelihood of a “blue wave” that could give Democrats the gavel and investigative power in Congress over the next two years of Trump’s presidency. The underly- ing urgency of Michelle Obama’s message is an unspoken aspect of her new registration effort. The name of the new ef- fort, “When We All Vote,” F is also an indication that the former first lady is well aware of the fact that higher voter turn- out usually leads to Dem- “ the former President announced that he is en- dorsing 81 Democratic candidates on the ballot this November. The effort is also a challenge to registered voters to par- ticipate in elections ‘both big and small’ ocratic victories at the polls. The effort is also a challenge to registered voters to participate in elections “both big and small.” Though the effort is billed as “non-parti- san,” the sense of urgen- cy about the country’s di- rection under President Trump’s leadership is an unavoidable backdrop. Several live events are also expected as part of the effort between now and election day. Former President Barack Obama is expect- ed to hit the campaign trail to assist Democrats who are looking to take back the House and Sen- ate in 2019. On July 31, There is a record num- ber of women on the ballot this year. Many of the endorsements for- mer President Obama has focused on were can- didates who worked in his administration, like Colin Allred, Lauren Un- derwood and Richard Cordray. The Obamas have been relatively quiet since de- parting the White House in early 2017, but that is likely to change. The former president and the former first lady’s launch of “When We All Vote” is likely to be only the first of several post White House efforts they will participate in. BOB NICHOLS/USDA/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS By Lauren Victoria Burke , NNPA Newswire Contributor Former First Lady Michelle Obama has joined a number of actors, musicians and professional athletes to encourage people to register and vote. In this photo, First Lady Michelle Obama thanks U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) employees for their service and dedication at the Jefferson Auditorium, USDA on Friday, May 3, 2013. “I’m confident that, to- gether, they’ll strengthen this country we love by restoring opportunity that’s broadly shared, re- pairing our alliances and standing in the world, and upholding our fun- damental commitment to justice, fairness, respon- sibility, and the rule of law,” Obama wrote in his endorsement statement. Lauren Victoria Burke is an independent jour- nalist, political analyst and contributor to the NNPA Newswire and B l a c k P re s s U S A .c o m . You can reach Lauren by email at LBurke007@ gmail.com and on Twitter at @LVBurke. Information is powerful. The power is in your hands. www.TheSkanner.com TheSkannerNews @TheSkannerNews
