Kennedy Woos Voters With Nightclub Event

In an indirect appeal to college-age voters, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy '54-'56 (D-Mass.) held a voter registration rally and party for supporters Saturday night in a Boston night club.

The event attracted more than 200 Kennedy backers to the Venus de Milo club for an evening of dancing and drinking.

The crowd was split between local college Democrats and members of the Carpenters' Union, said Kennedy campaign spokesperson Rick Gureghian.

Gureghian, however, said an appeal to young voters was not the goal of a party at a night club.

"That was not the reason it was held there," he said. "But it was a benefit."

Maggie L. Carter '96, president of Harvard College Democrats, said Kennedy is still a viable candidate for younger voters, despite his age.

"I don't think an educated voter is going to place her vote based on the fact that Kennedy has a red face," Carter said. "Kennedy has spent a lot of his tenure serving college students and the concerns they have."

Carter said a celebrity-laden guest list, including the cast of the soap opera. "All My Children," added to the excitement of the party.

Derek T. Ho '96, a member of Harvard College Democrats, said Kennedy's campaign manager, Michael L. Kennedy '80, was also part of the event's star appeal. Kennedy, the son of former U.S. Attorney General and presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy '48, spoke briefly on the importance of returning his uncle to the Senate.

"One of the benefits of Ted Kennedy's being a Kennedy is that there are lots of Kennedys," He said.

Although the party officially lasted from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., Carter said many people stayed around when the club opened to the public.

"The only difference to a normal night was the Kennedy buttons, I think," she said. "I think people were a little surprised that it was Kennedy night at Venus."

Nicole A. Barry '98, who was at the club with some of her friends, said she could not really tell the Venus de Milo had been the scene of a campaign rally.

"In terms of clubs, it seemed total- ly normal," she said. "I only heard about the Kennedy party after."

Kennedy is in the midst of a reelection campaign against Republican W. Mitt Romney that many commentators call "the fight of his life."

Recent polls conducted by the Boston Globe and the Boston Herald have placed the senator and the political outsider in a dead heat.

Numerous editorialists claim Kennedy has lost touch with younger voters and is no longer a symbol of youthful vigor.

"The Kennedy campaign has been on our backs to get college students out and get them to vote for Kennedy," He said.

Carter said she fears that college voters, who like change, may vote for Romney without comparing the political records of the candidates.

"Perhaps college voters may be attracted to Romney because Romney is not Kennedy," she said. "But Romney doesn't have any sort of record."

Barry, who calls himself a "Kennedy supporter," said she feels Kennedy will have a difficult time appealing to undecided voters despite his successful legislative record.

"People have to look past his image as an alcoholic," she said. "Every time I see him speak he looks worse and worse, but I still think he's useful."

Seth D. Hanlon '98, who also attended the rally, said the rumors of Kennedy's political demise are greatly exaggerated.

"He seems just as active and just as powerful as he's been," Hanlon said. "I think he's a fine candidate and a good resource for Massachusetts, given that he has all of his seniority and experience.

Kennedy is in the midst of a reelection campaign against Republican W. Mitt Romney that many commentators call "the fight of his life."

Recent polls conducted by the Boston Globe and the Boston Herald have placed the senator and the political outsider in a dead heat.

Numerous editorialists claim Kennedy has lost touch with younger voters and is no longer a symbol of youthful vigor.

"The Kennedy campaign has been on our backs to get college students out and get them to vote for Kennedy," He said.

Carter said she fears that college voters, who like change, may vote for Romney without comparing the political records of the candidates.

"Perhaps college voters may be attracted to Romney because Romney is not Kennedy," she said. "But Romney doesn't have any sort of record."

Barry, who calls himself a "Kennedy supporter," said she feels Kennedy will have a difficult time appealing to undecided voters despite his successful legislative record.

"People have to look past his image as an alcoholic," she said. "Every time I see him speak he looks worse and worse, but I still think he's useful."

Seth D. Hanlon '98, who also attended the rally, said the rumors of Kennedy's political demise are greatly exaggerated.

"He seems just as active and just as powerful as he's been," Hanlon said. "I think he's a fine candidate and a good resource for Massachusetts, given that he has all of his seniority and experience.