Lyssa Beyer

Students filed in and out of Davies Theatre in between classes Thursday afternoon to listen to actors Brandon Routh and Kal Penn campaign for democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, (D-Ill.).

When 1 p.m. rolled around and some had to go to class, the pair had a bit of fun up on stage.

“We’ll write you a note,” they joked as the students got up to leave. “Janice missed biology class because she was too busy changing the world.”

Sponsored by Blugolds for Barack, Routh, who played Superman in “Superman Returns,” and Kal Penn, best known for his roles as Kumar in “Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle” and Dr. Kutner in the T.V. show “House,” urged the crowd of about 100 to vote in Tuesday’s primary election.

Routh said it was a challenging decision to speak publicly about a candidate because of the backlash the media gives to celebrities using their fame to endorse politics.

“I decided that this isn’t just about politics. It’s about me taking a step in my future,” he said. “It’s too important what we have at stake. I want to see the world a better place.”

Sophomore Adam Mackley said he thinks it’s a good idea having celebrities endorse candidates.

While he’s always been an Obama supporter, he said he was interested to hear what these two had to say.

“This just makes me more eager to vote now,” he said.

However, junior Jeremy Eberhardt said he had some reservations about the celebrity factor.

“I was a little bit skeptical about it, but I thought they were very knowledgeable,” he said.

Penn said he’s never done anything remotely like this, either, but felt he needed to volunteer.

“Senator Obama is the only major presidential candidate to oppose the Iraq war,” Penn said, adding he has friends fighting in the war and said he also agrees with Obama’s health care plan.

Penn said he wanted to campaign in the Midwest, where everyone is “so nice.”

“That’s true, but there should be a disclaimer. It was the writer’s strike in L.A. I’ve got no job,” he joked. “‘House’ is on strike.”

But in all seriousness, Penn said the real reason he spoke Thursday was because he strongly believes in Obama’s platform.

“This really is the first time that we have a chance to elect a true statesman who will hopefully be our president for the next eight years,” Penn said.

Sophomore Amanda Wilkens said she isn’t into politics but Thursday’s event inspired her.

“I’m so glad I came. It makes me want to vote now,” she said. “I probably wasn’t going to.”

On the other hand freshman Emily Fuhs, who is undecided, said their speech left a lot to be desired. “I wish they knew more about stances. They seem really behind Obama and this will get me to look into my own views more,” she said. “(But) I wanted more answers on why I should vote for this candidate.”

Outreach coordinator for Blugolds for Barack, junior Collin Hawkins said he was pleased with the event, which was put on last minute, like most of these things are.

“I thought it was a great turnout,” he said. “People seemed really involved.”