ELECTION '96: Crowd of 15,000 gathers to cheer at Clinton rally

The president promisedThe president promisedattendees he would giveThe president promisedattendees he would givethem 'the opportunityThe president promisedattendees he would givethem 'the opportunityto build a new life.' After hours of dancing cheerleaders, a screaming disc jockey and antics by the Philly Phanatic and Penn Quaker mascot, the anxious crowd of 15,000 could wait no longer. And when President Clinton finally took the Hill Field stage at 2:30 p.m., he urged the crowd to "think about your tomorrows." Clinton's 15-minute speech, which focused on education issues and mobilizing students to vote, capped off a day of candidate stump speeches and celebrity soundbites. The president outlined his goal of making higher education as "universal as a high school diploma" through a program of targeted tax cuts. Specifically, Clinton reiterated his proposal of $1,500 per-year tax credits toward the first two years of community college and $10,000-per-year tax deductions for tuition or other college-related expenses. He also suggested creating tax-exempt Individual Retirement Accounts for families wishing to save for their children's college educations. "All you have to do is work hard make your grades and be responsible," he said. "We'll give you the opportunity to build a new life." Clinton noted that he had just signed "the biggest increase in the Pell grant program in 20 years" to provide college students with 200,000 new work-study jobs. The president also discussed his crime prevention programs, much to the surprise of some Penn students who thought Clinton would avoid the topic because of recent crime near campus. "I don't think he did his research very well, because it wasn't probably a very good topic to bring up around here," College freshman Doug Blank said after the speech. While stressing that the nation "is moving in the right direction to the 21st century" thanks to his policies on crime, welfare and the environment, Clinton reminded his audience not to forget "the big issues." "It's not the government versus the people," he said. "The big issues are what you believe we have to do together, as a people, to move towards the next millennium." Clinton pointed to the growth of the Internet as an example of how the nation had changed since he took office. "Four years ago, the only people who knew about the Internet were nuclear physicists," he joked. "Today my cat has his own homepage and Web site. School children don't know much about me, but they have been conversing with Socks on the Internet." Clinton stressed that the upcoming election was "all about the type of future you want for your children." Clinton noted that he was "glad" to see Dole/Kemp supporters in attendance for the rally, and scolded the crowd for booing his mention of his Republican challenger Bob Dole. He said their attendance underscored democracy in America. The president concluded his speech on an inclusive note, encouraging attendees to study, work and "do your best." "We don't need to know anything else about you," he said. "You're part of our America, and part of our future." The rally began at 1 p.m. with speeches by Democratic congressional candidate Joe Hoeffel, Mayor Ed Rendell, Penn President Judith Rodin and Drexel University President Constantine Papadakis. During her remarks, Rodin -- who was greeted by calls of "Judy, Judy" -- said the president's visit underscored that "education is the key to the future." "Education and research will ready us for the next century," she said. "Penn is ready to play its part." Following a rendition of the "Star-Spangled Banner" by jazz saxophonist Grover Washington Jr., Drexel junior Zoya Raynes and Penn sophomore Jana Kay addressed the crowd. Raynes -- vice president of Drexel's student government -- urged the audience to "forget what you've heard about Generation X." And during her speech, Kay, co-chairperson of Penn for Clinton/Gore '96, noted it was a "special honor" for Penn to host the president in the final week before the election. "President Clinton, the University of Pennsylvania looks forward to working with you to build the bridge to America's future," she said. "And we look forward to walking across it with you." Boys II Men received one of the biggest welcomes of the afternoon when they encouraged students to vote and introduced Clinton. While many students expressed disappointment that Clinton's speech contained little in the way of new initiatives, most said they still enjoyed the event. "I wasn't overly wowed by the content of the speech, but I'm glad I came," College freshman Karina Gohde said. "This was something I'll probably never get the chance to see again." College freshman Dan Carp, however, said he found the speech "impressive." "This quashed any doubts I had about voting for Clinton," he said. "Clinton's energy level dragged the entire crowd along with him."