Harkin student group solicits support in Vance Hall meeting

There are many things that Iowa Senator and presidential candidate Tom Harkin is not. Harkin is not leading any polls in New Hampshire. He has not personally visited Philadelphia. He is not the early favorite for the Democratic nomination. There is one thing that Harkin is, however. He is a fighter. Last night Harkin began his fight for support at the University at a meeting held in Vance Hall. Penn Students for Harkin sponsored the event which featured four prominent figures in the Harkin presidential campaign. Three of the speakers are currently running as delegates for the Democratic National Convention. The fourth, John Sailor, is a senior national advisor for Harkin's campaign. Sailor, a close friend of Arkansas Governor and presidential candidate Bill Clinton, said he has lent his support to the Iowa Senator because of his authenticity. "Most politicians are stupid, lazy, or greedy," Sailor contends. "But Tom Harkin is the real thing." The 25 people who attended the meeting also watched a video featuring Harkin titled, "The Real State of the Union." The video, which dubbed Harkin "The Fighter for the Middle Class," had two specific goals. It first traced his life from childhood to senator. It then proclaimed the candidate's liberal policies on current issues. "He's a liberal. But a liberal in the mold of Franklin Roosevelt, Harry Truman, or John Kennedy," responded Sailor to comments about Harkin's liberal attitudes and polices. Fred Nemeth, a College senior, is a co-chair of Penn Students for Harkin. Nemeth, who has recently been put in charge the statewide organization of Students for Harkin, believes that a Harkin presidency will be a refreshing change for America. "Americans are angry and tired of Republicans in the White House," said Nemeth. Samantha Halem, co-chair of Penn Students for Harkin, has thrown her support to Harkin because she feels that he is the only candidate who can really put George Bush on the spot. "He can win in '92 because he is carrying the people's message," asserted Halem. "He is not afraid to challenge Bush head to head on controversial issues." Nemeth and Halem are planning a trip to New Hampshire the first weekend in February to lend support to the senator. The three-day trip, sponsored by the campaign, offers students the chance to actively work on a political campaign. Interested students should contact either Nemeth or Halem as soon as possible. Halem also added there will be many opportunities to help in the future for those who support Harkin but are unable to go to the first primary.