Bill Clinton energizes Temple crowd

Perfectly on cue, a line of black SUVs pulled up to the Temple University Bell Tower as U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah (D.-Pa.) gave his last rally cry, urging students to get out the vote next week.

Hundreds of heads turned away from the stage where Fattah stood to a line of cars beside it. The whispers began, and then the cheers. He was here.

"I can see him, I can see him," Temple freshman Katie Johantgen said excitedly. She had gathered with friends at the Bell Tower to "take advantage of seeing such a historical figure."

"Oh my gosh, you can see him right there!" another student exclaimed from the crowd.

Like George Clooney at the Oscars, Bill Clinton emerged from one of the SUVs to the delightful squeals and screams of students gathered at the center of Temple's campus Thursday night.

Clinton had spent the day stumping for Democratic Senate hopeful Joe Sestak with stops at Bryn Mawr College and Cheyney University in preparation for Tuesday's midterm elections. Even though Temple students waved blue signs for Sestak, it was clear who the star was.

Clinton's appeal and ability to draw crowds wasn't lost on the Congressman, who joked sarcastically to the crowd, "I'm really happy about you coming out for me."

Sestak - who dressed the part in a green bomber jacket as he promoted his military record - was barely at the microphone five minutes when the crowd started getting antsy in anticipation of Clinton's speech. Before he introduced Clinton, Sestak asked if he could just "share one family story," only to be answered with grumbles and a few boos.

When Clinton finally approached the microphone, some students seemed to become divinely inspired. "Bill Clinton is not a human being!" one screamed, attributing to the former president god-like qualities.

Clinton's sharp wit was on display as he made several biting comments about the small contingent of Pat Toomey supporters at the rally. He told the crowd he could stand there and tell funny stories, but tonight he wanted to tell them the facts, which "will make these young people in the back uncomfortable." The crowd roared in response.

Only one Clinton joke didn't go over so well. In response to a "Joe Says Tax" sign being proudly displayed by the Toomey group, Clinton said the Republicans had a skewed notion of tax relief.

"Their definition of tax relief is if millionaires like me get it," he said, as the crowd got awkwardly quiet with a few uncomfortable chuckles. But Clinton quickly recovered with, "I'd rather have it for you!" and the students resumed their cheering.

Before the rally, rumors swirled that Clinton would be playing saxophone with the jazz group Swift Technique. Although the group entertained the crowd before the politicians arrived, they were asked to take down their microphones and amplifiers to make more room for students.

Temple juniors Vincent Sannuti and Greg Crossen, who founded the clothing company Affiliated Apparel and help promote Swift Technique, said they came to the rally hoping for a Clinton performance.

Crossen said he had heard of Clinton playing with other students ensembles before rallies, so "they figured it wouldn't be too far fetched to ask."

After he spoke, Clinton shook hands with students, who swarmed him to the point where only his white hair was visible in the throng of people.

Temple sophomore Ashleigh Shelton had arrived early, hoping for the moment when Clinton would approach the metal barriers. Clinton was the first president she had seen in person and she said shaking his hand was simply "amazing."

Contact staff writer Liz Gormisky at 215-854-2917 or egormisky@phillynews.com.