FULLERTON : Comic Hits Right Note on Politics

The crowd on the lawn Wednesday at Cal State Fullerton’s Becker Amphitheater wanted to hear more music, not listen to political comedian Andy Kindler.

But when Kindler urged them to vote for anyone or thing that runs against George Bush in the presidential election, he got a big cheer.

“I don’t care if (Bush’s opponent) is a kitchen appliance,” Kindler said. “Vote for the toaster--it works, it accepts all kinds of bread.”

Kindler’s remarks came during the school’s Rock the Vote rally to encourage students to register to vote and increase political awareness. For 4 1/2 hours, a parade of political candidates, musical acts and comedians urged students to register and educate themselves on issues.

“You are not being passed a torch, only a burnt match,” U.S. senatorial candidate Joseph M. Alioto told the crowd. “You can’t accept the challenge of the future unless you vote for it.”

Appearing in five- to 10-minute segments, speakers touched on issues thought to appeal to students. Money for education, employment prospects and challenges to abortion rights were common themes.

Malena Abramowicz, Associated Students productions coordinator for the event, said an attempt was made to offer political balance in both the speakers and the information booths lining the amphitheater.

“We have Republicans and Democrats, pro-choice and anti-abortion here,” Abramowicz said.

The event was planned with the help of the Rock the Vote organization, formed in 1990 as a way to fight censorship. Founded with the help of music industry executives, Rock the Vote tries to register college-age citizens.

“This started in protest to artistic censorship,” said J.D. Cantarella, a CSUF student and Orange County concert organizer for Rock the Vote.

According to Steve Barr, co-founder of Rock the Vote, the organization is involved in as many as three rallies a day across the country. With a staff of just six full-time employees, Rock the Vote relies on grass-roots efforts by high school and college students.

“We send them how-to instructions, help them organize,” Barr said.

The organization also helps procure celebrities and musicians for rally appearances.

While many at the event were clearly there to hear the music of groups such as Too Much Joy, the political message was making an impact.

Volunteers from Goodwill, working with representatives from radio station KFI to register voters, signed about 20 new voters an hour after the rally started. Other booths were also reporting similar success in registering voters and passing out information.

“There is a lot of positive interest in learning about the candidates,” said Bill Honigman, who was passing out literature about Edmund G. (Jerry) Brown Jr.’s campaign for the presidency.

Senior Cathleen Cotter said voting is the most important act one can take. “You can’t complain if you don’t vote, and I love to complain too much,” Cotter said.