Barack Obama would not be the 44th president without the votes of people under 30, observed the president's election campaign manager David Plouffe, before giving his address to Cornell's Senior Convocation in Schoellkopf Stadium today (May 23).

Plouffe, whom Obama called "the unsung hero" of the campaign, added, "We would not have won the Iowa caucuses if younger people had not turned out at historic levels that no one thought was possible, and that happened time and time again" during the campaign.

"One thing I learned in our campaign was that this generation of young Americans need not wait 20 or 25 years before they take the stage," Plouffe continued. "They're ready to lead right now. They're ready to innovate. We need them. We need their leadership. They helped determine the course of history in our campaign, but I think they can determine the course of history in ways large and small, right away."

It was a theme that Plouffe continued in his convocation address, telling the graduating seniors they "are now prepared to play a large role in shaping history for generations to come, who will be studying their accomplishments in these hallowed halls." But, he warned them, "You must have passion for your work. And you'd better really treasure and get the most out of your non-working hours ... those are the increments of time that will define your life."

At a meeting with the media before entering Schoellkopf, the slightly built, boyish-looking Plouffe, 42, noted that for the first time in decades the share of votes cast by people over age 65 in a presidential election declined, "not because older voters turned out in lower numbers, just because younger people participated." Of 5,000 people working in the Obama campaign, he said, "probably 95 percent of them were under 25."

He said: "I'm excited to be here because I'm excited about this group of people who are beginning to enter leadership roles in our country, and I couldn't be more excited to watch the work, talent and dedication they're going to bring to improve our country and our world in the years to come."

Credited with running one of the most effective and innovative presidential campaigns in history, raising $500 million on the Internet alone, Plouffe said grass-roots outreach, particularly in battleground states such as North Carolina, Ohio and Indiana, was equally important. "Change is never going to emanate from Washington; it's got to come from the country to Washington," he said.

"So many people in our country -- not just young people -- live most their lives through technology. Why should their interaction with politics or our campaign be any different? No matter who you are ... you have to realize how people are living their lives. You've got to reach them at their doors, in their e-mail boxes, on their Web pages, on their radios and TVs, and I think we did a good job of that."

Young volunteers helped shape the campaign's electronic strategies. "I think one thing that's never been properly appreciated is how many people -- parents, grandparents, uncles and aunts -- supported Barack Obama because their children felt so passionately about him. I think millions of people voted simply for that reason alone," Plouffe said. "It's a very powerful thing."

At Senior Convocation, it was announced that the Class of 2009 raised $36,655 for its class gift. The gift will fund the Class of 2009 Stephen H. Weiss Memorial Scholarship, named in honor of the late Cornell trustee, to benefit Cornell seniors. Trustee Martin Tang '70 matched the class gift, presented to President David Skorton on a giant check for $85,654.