Students Start "Vote Neil" Campaign

Step aside, Ross, Neil has his own grass roots organization.

If a group of first-years have their way on election day, President Neil L. Rudenstine will bolt from Mass. Hall to the White House come January.

Tired of the endless political rhetoric from the presidential candidates, three Wigglesworth residents have started a last-minute "Vote Neil" campaign for Harvard's top administrator.

"Clinton lacks integrity, Perot is a monarch, and Bush has no leadership skills and is ruining our economy," say Jay R. Girotto '96, one of the organizers of Citizens for Neil Rudenstine Committee.

"If Neil gets elected, I hope he runs the United States the same way he's running Harvard, said Girotto, a registered Republican. "Harvard is a tolerant community, a learning environment, and a place where people get things done."

Girotto and two of his roommates, E. Michael Serbanos '96 and Bert I. Huang '96, postered the Harvard Yard Tuesday night with flyers asking everyone to "Vote for the man with vision."

And they said they even taped one of the signs outside Rudenstine's door.

"I thought it was a way to have fun about the ridiculous things being said about the candidates, "Serbanos said. "I'm just hoping Neil will stop the T. from running below the Wigglesworth dorms."

The signs read: "Vote Neil. He ain't slick, He ain't got Quaile, He don't quit, And he didn't inhale."

The students said they spelled the vice president's name incorrectly to mock his misspelling earlier this year of the word "potato."

Members of the group also changed the message on their answering machine to notify callers that they have reached Rudenstine's campaign headquarters.

"After the tone, state your vice presidential preference of either Jeremy Knowles, Paul Tsongas or a man who has actually slept in the White House--Frank Sinatra," the message said.

Provost Jerry R. Green said in an interview yesterday that although he feels Rudenstine would succeed "at whatever hesets his mind to," he is a Clinton-Gore supporter.Green is one of the 500 economists who have signedonto Clinton's plan.

In an interview earlier this week, Rudenstinerefused to endorse any of the candidates. Could itbe because he himself has presidentialaspirations?

Girotto said he firmly believes that Rudenstinehas shown more leadership than the presidentialcandidates. Rudenstine has done a great job atmanaging Harvard, the "thirteenth largest economyin the world, with a budget of $1.5 billion ayear," according to Girotto.

And what do students around campus feel aboutthis heart-felt campaign?

"I think running Harvard is probably just ashard as running the United States," said ElizabethR. Potter '93.

When asked if Rudenstine would be a good choicefor president of the U.S., Alex Diaz '96 said, "Ireckon so, because he's the leader of the bestdarn university in the country. So why not electhim to be the leader of the best darn country inthe world?"

Whether Rudenstine decides to accept thischallenge or not, hisnewly-found supporters said one thing is certain.

"Neil owes us $4.25 for the campaign flyers,"Serbanos said

In an interview earlier this week, Rudenstinerefused to endorse any of the candidates. Could itbe because he himself has presidentialaspirations?

Girotto said he firmly believes that Rudenstinehas shown more leadership than the presidentialcandidates. Rudenstine has done a great job atmanaging Harvard, the "thirteenth largest economyin the world, with a budget of $1.5 billion ayear," according to Girotto.

And what do students around campus feel aboutthis heart-felt campaign?

"I think running Harvard is probably just ashard as running the United States," said ElizabethR. Potter '93.

When asked if Rudenstine would be a good choicefor president of the U.S., Alex Diaz '96 said, "Ireckon so, because he's the leader of the bestdarn university in the country. So why not electhim to be the leader of the best darn country inthe world?"

Whether Rudenstine decides to accept thischallenge or not, hisnewly-found supporters said one thing is certain.

"Neil owes us $4.25 for the campaign flyers,"Serbanos said