Penn political groups 'Rock the Vote' on College Green

Campus political groups gathered on College Green yesterday in a last-minute effort to encourage students to vote.

Penn Rock the Vote, Penn College Democrats, College Republicans, Penn for Choice and Students for Sensible Drug Policy, among other organizations, set up tables on the Green and handed out literature and free pizza. Representatives of various campaigns and political groups spoke, and Arts House Dance performed.

Turnout was low, except in between classes, but organizers and passersby agreed that a crucial problem was being addressed.

"People our age turn out to vote 10 percent lower than the national average," said Penn College Democrats President Arshad Hasan, a College senior. "Events like this are so important."

Speakers at the event included Penn Law student and Republican state legislature candidate Jonathan Goldstein, Libertarian candidate for governor Ken Krawchuk and representatives of Green Party gubernatorial candidate Mike Morrill and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Ed Rendell.

Students from various campus groups also spoke on the Green, producing some of the more memorable moments of the rally.

"You have to learn maybe greed is good," College Republicans representative Eric Rechtschaffen, a College freshman, told the small crowd.

And Undergraduate Assembly Chairman Seth Schreiberg spoke about how students should vote in order to counteract the influence of "old people."

"They talk about prescription drugs, social security and other things we don't give a shit about," the College senior said. "Goddamnit, vote, people!"

During breaks between classes, a few dozen students stood and watched the scene, but for the rest of the time, the Green was almost empty.

"There's a lot of apathy," said College junior Katherine Lee, who was tending the Penn for Choice table. "It's kind of scary. People aren't going to come out specifically for this event."

This was especially true yesterday, said Medical School employee Alex Hall, a College of General Studies student who was working at the Rock the Vote table.

"I think the weather kind of affected [turnout] a bit," Hall said.

Among the students who did show up, many said they appreciated the rally.

"I think it's interesting," said College senior Alex Maasry while listening to a performance by Penn student and spoken-word artist Carlos Gomez. "The poem's pretty cool."

But Maasry added that he does not intend on voting because "I don't really feel that any candidate stands for what I believe."

College freshman Stephanie Craven, who said she will vote today, also appreciated the event because it aimed to get people excited about the election.

"I think it's a good thing because it works up enthusiasm for the candidates," she said. "It gives you a sense of collective action."

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