Barack Obama is like a new hope, said the man who was the “new hope” in the legendary “Star Wars” series.
Mark Hamill, best known for his role as Luke Skywalker, spent an hour last Thursday drawing parallels between the United States government and another government system near and dear to his heart-the Empire.
“I am so excited because we’ve got a once in a lifetime opportunity to vote for a once in a lifetime candidate,” Hamill said.
Hamill is the second celebrity to appear on Point Park University’s campus in support of Barack Obama, the first being “Heroes” star Zachary Quinto. Each personality shared the same message with students: you have got to vote.
“What I want to suggest is that not only do you vote, but that you target five to 10 people that you take personal responsibility for to make sure they vote,” Hamill said.
“Since the vote is crucial to me, I’d hope that it’d be crucial to my friends,” freshman photojournalism major and creator of Point Park’s College Democrats group Kelly Grigg said.
It was with her help that Hamill visited Point Park.
“It was very stressful because we found out about it the night before and we rushed to make sure it would get done, but it was very rewarding,” Grigg said.
The event was organized in less than 24 hours, and students were upset about the short notice.
“I found out an hour ago that he was coming,” freshman cinema and digital arts major Brent Peaslee said. “I wish there was more publicity for this.”
Still, students came. The GRW theater was filled almost to capacity with students reciting their favorite Star Wars dialogue and playing the famous theme as ringtones on their cell phones.
Hamill entered the room to a booming roar and some Wookie cries.
The ex-Jedi Knight delivered his unscripted speech; the prose was a blend of Hamill family stories, George Lucas stories and parallels between Hamill’s presidential candidate Obama.
“It’s like you put together all the things I want in a candidate-but it’s too good to be true-pinch me it’s too good to be true,” Hamill said.
