Stern's running mate has U. link

Though it may seem like a ploy for media publicity for radio personality Howard Stern, it is serious business for the Dworkin family. The controversial, yet well-liked, Stern recently announced his intentions to run for governor of New York. And as his running mate for lieutenant governor, he named former Rockland County, N.Y. legislator Stan Dworkin, father of Wharton freshman Matt Dworkin. According to the younger Dworkin, a big fan of Stern's, the duo's three-pronged platform includes reinstating the death penalty in New York, forcing all road construction to be done at night so as not to affect traffic and increasing the distance between tolls on the highway. The elder Dworkin also has plans to cut spending and create legalized gambling in the state. He added that he has "simple" motives for the campaign. "I've been given an opportunity?to address statewide issues without mounting my own individual Democratic primary against [current N.Y. Governor] Mario Cuomo, who is a political figure that has a certain amount of clout, not only in the state of New York, but in the entire country," he said. "I believe that Mario Cuomo's opinions are very much out of touch with what the people of New York want from their governor." Stan Dworkin said he was chosen by Stern at the end of April when an officemate faxed Stern a suggestion. The Stern-Dworkin campaign will be running under the Libertarian Party in the November election, provided they can acquire 15,000 petition signatures over the summer to get their names on the ballot. Stan Dworkin said he does not foresee any problems in obtaining the signatures, especially if Stern utilizes the airwaves. Stern's plan, said the Dworkins, is to become governor, achieve his three goals, then resign and turn the position over to Dworkin. The reasoning behind this, Matt Dworkin said, is that "in [Stern's] words, he 'wouldn't screw up the government.'" While some have questioned Stern's seriousness in the gubenatorial race, Matt Dworkin said that from speaking with the gubernatorial candidate, he feels Stern really is serious. "He honestly wants to become governor for the short amount of time that he will be governor in order to help the state of New York and change a lot of things," he said. "He's a very intelligent, very sensitive person -- he's an entertainer?but off the air he isn't quite as shocking." While Stan Dworkin has enjoyed his newfound celebrity status -- "Most people who are friends of mine think it's the greatest thing in the world," he said -- he also wants to improve the state of New York. "If people take me seriously and if they believe that what I say presents a better future for the state of New York than what Mario Cuomo says, I can?become the governor of New York without spending millions of dollars," he said. "I can do what an elected governor is supposed to do -- cut waste, [and] promote a better quality of life for the people in my state." And while Matt Dworkin said he has already started telling his friends to get out and register to vote for the November election, Stan Dworkin said he will not use his son to obtain a student vote. "I would not want nor do I intend to utilize my son's presence at the University of Pennsylvania to influence any kind of vote," he said. "He may be involved on his own, [but] I would never take advantage of his presence at Penn for my own gain -- that would be unfair for any father to do." According to Stern, a recent poll showed Cuomo with 47 percent of the vote, and Stern-Dworkin with a solid and rising 20 percent.

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