Students rally for Clinton

About 2,000 members of the University community filled College Green yesterday to hear famous actors and actresses endorse Gov. Bill Clinton's bid for the presidency. Actor Ken Olin of "thirtysomething," a Class of 1976 University alumnus, joined other Hollywood stars in urging students to vote for the Democratic candidate. The "rally for our future" was sponsored by the College Democrats, Penn Pro-Choice, LaSalle Young Democrats, Vote for a Change '92 and the Hollywood Women's Political Committee. Rhea Pearlman, who plays Carla on the television show "Cheers," stressed the importance of the upcoming election on national education policy. "This [election] year is different, we are in big trouble," Pearlman said. "It's depressing as hell that only 30 percent of young people in this country get a college degree. Bush, the education President? Not in this lifetime." Pearlman focused on the importance of education and called for increased federal funding. Despite advertisments that "thirtysomething" star Patricia Wettig would also be at the rally, she did not show up. But Soapdish star Elisabeth Shue, who had not been advertised, also spoke at the rally. College senior Marcia Zabusky, co-chairperson of Vote for a Change, urged students at the peaceful rally to cast their vote for Clinton. "We will not stand for four more years of status quo," Zabusky said. Zabusky stressed the need for change and an end to what she called the futility of our present course. Olin, who said "it was nice to be back" to his alma mater, attacked the Bush administration's environmental policies. "Dan Quayle is an environmental moron," Olin said. "George Bush says let's stop worrying about owls and start worrying about people. Why can't we worry about both?" Olin also complimented Clinton's environmental record in Arkansas. Kamal Latham, a Temple University freshman and chairperson of the business and administration division of his school's student government, also spoke at the rally. Latham said he supports Clinton's policies because he includes "all Americans in his vision." "Failed plans, failed programs, from a failed President," Latham said. "We need to take this government back to the people, where it belongs." University community members attending the rally cheered frequently during the speeches. "It was very inspiring," College freshman Amanda Ganom said. "The number of people here shows that America's youth is ready for a change."