Derita Comes From Nowhere, Gains 'Poon-Inspired Attention

The Harvard Lampoon is apparently testing the undergraduate political waters by backing a bogus candidate for the new Undergraduate Council.

With campaign posters boldly declaring, "My grandfather went to Harvard, my father went to Harvard, now I'm going to Harvard," the candidacy of Joe Derita has certainly attracted attention But despite his well-financed poster campaign, Joe Derita is not to be found.

Sources close to the Lampoon acknowledged yesterday that they had created the Derita candidacy, but yucksters categorically refused to let the freshman be interviewed.

"We found Joe. We found him piteously wandering around the Yard," said Theodore P. Friend '84, a Lampoon editor. "We said 'Joe, why don't you run for the council.' If he gets elected, he'll have lots of friends."

Although Friend refused to let the mysterious candidate come to the phone, he said Derita might make a speech on the steps of Widener today at 3 p.m. "We're trying to talk him into it," the humorist added.

But, in what may indicate a schism in the Derita camp, 'Poon Hautboy Thomas H. Hill '83 said the candidate will probably make no public appearances. "Derita is somewhat of a low visibility fellow--much lower than the other candidates." He added, "there's sort of a spiritual quality to the guy."

While the campaign made a big publicity splash yesterday, its substance remained nebulous. When asked about Derita's platform. Friend only said, "Joe wants the University to be a happy place."

Reaction to the Derita candidacy has been somewhat less than favorable. "They should expunge him and break the legacy line," said George S. Canellos '86. "Either he's making fun of himself or he's proud of being the third clone in his generation," added Nicholas P. Poolos '84.

Others interviewed yesterday said they are anxious to meet the candidate himself. "All we've seen is his face," said Kim Sanchez '86, referring to an apparent caricature of Derita which appears on some posters. "We want to see if there's a person behind that," she added.