Corzine campaign brings Clinton to College Avenue

After President Barack Obama’s promised visit to the University fell flat last July, the University will see a presidential visit next week before the state’s November gubernatorial election.
Former President Bill Clinton will announce his support Tuesday for Gov. Jon S. Corzine at a campaign event at the University, said Lonnie Affrime, a student coordinator for Yes We Can 2.0, a Corzine advocacy group helping to organize the event.
Corzine and lieutenant governor candidate Sen. Loretta Weinberg will join the former president at the event, scheduled 8 p.m. in the College Avenue gymnasium, said Ilene Lampitt, Central New Jersey coordinator for Yes We Can 2.0.
“[Clinton’s] been a big supporter of the governor from the beginning, and he’s going to show his support,” said Affrime, a School of Arts and Sciences senior.
The event — presented by the Rutgers University Democrats — has another goal: to generate student interest for New Jersey’s 2009 gubernatorial election, Affrime said.
“We want to create a buzz on campus,” he said. “We want students to be very active and excited.”
It is important for voters and students to know that Corzine and Clinton care about higher education in the state, he said.
“One of the biggest points we’re trying to make … is that students, higher education and Rutgers are very much at the top of Gov. Corzine’s priorities,” he said.
RU Dems President Alex Holodak said his group is very excited to have Clinton come speak because the Democratic Party is continuing to show the University matters for the Corzine gubernatorial campaign.
Having any former president come to the school would be a privilege, but a visit from Clinton would get students even more excited for the upcoming election, he said.
“There’s interest at Rutgers and that’s very promising to the students here,” said Holodak, a School of Arts and Sciences senior.
He said Clinton showing his support for the governor would be a successful event for the University and Corzine’s campaign. It could also build momentum to bring other prominent speakers to the school and the state.
School of Arts and Sciences senior Jessie Fortuna said he thinks it is cool Clinton is coming to speak at the University.
“[But] I don’t think it’s going to help Corzine, to be honest,” he said.
Despite Obama’s support for Corzine at a rally during the summer, Corzine still lags in the polls behind Republican challenger Chris Christie, Fortuna said. If Obama cannot build more support, Clinton probably would not either.
Christie has 45 percent of the N.J. electorate, while Corzine has 41 percent, according to a telephone survey of 750 likely voters conducted on Oct. 14 by Rasmussen Reports, a nonpartisan polling firm.
“But I think it’s great for the University to have a president come and speak,” Fortuna said.
School of Arts and Sciences sophomore Cody Gorman said Clinton is his favorite president, and he already registered for tickets.
In his opinion, Clinton ushered in an era of economic prosperity that had not been seen since former President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s New Deal after the Great Depression.
“I would support any candidate Clinton backs,” Gorman said.
Other top figures of the Democratic Party are visiting N.J. to support Corzine in the final weeks of the campaign.
Vice President Joe Biden will support the incumbent at Middlesex County College on Monday and Obama will rally Oct. 21 at Fairleigh Dickinson University, according to Corzine campaign press releases.
Lampitt said she hopes students come out and enjoy Clinton’s speech next week.
“It’s a great opportunity for everyone,” she said.
The event is free and open to all students, regardless of major or group association, she said.
The organizers expect about 1,500 people to attend, Affrime said.
Space is limited and reservations are required. To register, go to njdems.org/clinton.