WASHINGTON, D.C., Mar. 23 -- President Bill Clinton brought about 120 editors and reporters from college newspapers to the White House today in an attempt to reconnect with college-aged voters.
"We are now having a great debate about how we can best assure the American Dream for our generation and for your children," Clinton said, speaking in the East Room of the White House. "The choices we will make here will have a profound effect on all of your lives."
The White House invited 200 editors from across the country, according to White House Media Affairs Director Lorrie McHugh.
McHugh said the White House tried to select a broad range of colleges. Schools represented included the University of Alaska, the University of South Florida and Normandale Community College in Normandale, Mich.
"College Media Day" is "something we've been talking about doing since the President has been in office," McHugh said. She said today's event was the first time in recent memory the White House has hosted college journalists.
White House spokesman Mike McCurry said, "President Clinton is proud of his connection to young voters. He feels like he may have lost them. So the President is trying to reinvigorate his connection to young voters."
The college vote was a significant factor in Clinton's 1992 victory over then President George Bush.
During the day-long event, Clinton and Secretary of Labor Robert Reich '68, Attorney General Janet Reno and Secretary of Education Robert Riley gave presentations and fielded questions.
Clinton held a 45-minute press conference with the college editors and reporters. The President spoke about the accomplishments of his administration, including Ameri-Corps and the direct lending program, and defended the programs against Republican attacks.
Republicans are also currently considering limiting the number of participants in the direct loan program, which was started by the Clinton administration in August 1993 to allow students to borrow tuition money directly from the government, instead of borrowing from banks.
No Dartmouth students are participants in the direct loan program, according to a Department of Education report.
Republicans have proposed cutting three-quarters of this year's budget for AmeriCorps, a program that provides financial assistance in exchange for community service, said Rick Allen, deputy assistant to the President for national service.
"I think it is a mistake," Clinton said about the Republican proposal. "The AmeriCorps program is giving thousands of young Americans a chance to serve their communities, serve their country, and earn money for higher education."
Clinton also touched on his pending affirmative action review at the press conference, acknowledging the controversy over affirmative action and college admissions policies.
"I'm against discrimination. I'm against giving people opportunities who are unqualified," Clinton said. "But we all have an interest, including white males, in developing the capacities of all of us who relate to one another."
Clinton also outlined his "New Covenant" at the press conference.
"The key to our future is our ability to create more opportunity and, at the same time, the willingness of our citizens to assume more responsibility," he continued. "That's what I have called the 'New Covenant.'"
Clinton will discuss the "New Covenant" at Dartmouth when he delivers the Commencement address on June 11..