the news in brief

(U-WIRE) PHILADELPHIA – The Colbert Nation has become the Colbert Campus, as Stephen Colbert,… (U-WIRE) PHILADELPHIA – The Colbert Nation has become the Colbert Campus, as Stephen Colbert, the Emmy award-winning comedy host, has descended upon the University of Pennsylvania’s Zellerbach Theatre for the week.

Colbert arrived at Penn last weekend to begin a special filming of his show, The Colbert Report, in anticipation of the April 22 Pennsylvania primary.

Through his satirical news show, which appears on Comedy Central, Colbert has transformed the way students learn about the news – an effect noticeable at Penn.

“The show certainly helps bring people into the process,” said freshman Aaron Ross, who was in the studio audience last night.

One news host did appear on the show last night: Chris Matthews, the host of MSNBC’s Hardball with Chris Matthews and a native Philadelphian.

Matthews inadvertently revealed that Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-New York, would be on the show later this week.

Additionally, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter and John Legend made their way on to the show, with Legend performing the Star Spangled Banner as Colbert sang at his side.

“It was hilarious” that Colbert sang with Legend, said freshman Fernando Duran, who said the show was very entertaining.

But the enthusiasm for Colbert’s show transcended the studio audience of 900.

His trip to Penn is the first time the show has ever been filmed outside of his New York City studio, and students across campus are thrilled to host the star.

Before the actual filming, the Penn Democrats organized a special, Penn-exclusive rehearsal with Colbert, where students’ applause was used for the sound check, and Colbert welcomed questions from the audience.

“It was great to see his personality,” Benun said, referring to his “out-of-character” responses to the questions.

About 700 Penn students attended the rehearsal.

– Colin Kavanaugh, Daily Pennsylvanian (U. Penn)

(U-WIRE) UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – One week before the influential Pennsylvania primary, voter registration in the state has broken record primary registration numbers, with still more registration forms to be counted.

The registration is “unprecedented” for a Pennsylvania primary, said Rebecca Halton, a spokeswoman for the Pennsylvania Department of State.

The most recent data available from the Department of State Web site has 8,326,564 registered voters from all parties, the highest ever for a Pennsylvania primary. The number did not, however, break the total for the general election registration record, set in the 2004 presidential race, according to dos.state.pa.us. Voters have until Oct. 6 to register for the general election in November.

Joyce McKinley, director of Centre County Office of Elections and Voter Registration, said the department has seen a trend in people switching parties and registering for the first time.

She said the department is looking to get voters prepared to vote. For example, voters can go to votespa.com to help locate polling places.

New voters, whether they have a change in precinct or have registered for the first time, will need to bring an approved form of identification when voting, she added.

Elizabeth Goreham, registered Democrat and Penn State Borough Council president, said she is excited about the rise in interest in voting.

“I think that most of that is students and I am delighted,” she said.

Goreham said interest in the election could be contributed to a number of things, including a rise in gas prices, the Iraq War and dissatisfaction with the direction of the country.

“But we’ll see on Election Day,” she said. “I hope they all vote.”

– Mandy Hofmockel, Daily Collegian (Penn State)

(U-WIRE) PHILADELPHIA – Temple University hosted the annual Pennsylvania College Democrats convention for the first time last weekend.

The convention brought together 105 delegates from 15 colleges and universities throughout the state.

The convention consisted of workshops, seminars and speakers. The events included a demographic outreach panel and communications and “Get Out the Vote” presentations, as well as an etiquette workshop. The delegates also participated in the annual amending of the PACD constitution.

The members followed the model of the Democratic National Convention and held caucuses for various demographic groups including black, GLBT, Jewish, Latino and women. During the caucuses, concerns about the particular groups as well as their role in the political sphere were discussed.

The convention hosted various speakers, including surrogates of Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, although the PACD has not endorsed either candidate.

Chelsea Clinton spoke Friday evening in support of her mother. Bill Bradley, a former U.S. senator from New Jersey, spoke Saturday afternoon in support of Obama. Each speech was followed by a question-and-answer session.

Other speakers hosted include U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah and Deanna Wozniak, president of Temple Common Ground. Organizers said speakers help to educate the delegates on current issues in the political world, particularly those within minority groups, as well as provide insight into the speakers’ experiences and work in politics.

The convention concluded Sunday morning with the award of “Chapter of the Year” to the University of Pittsburgh.

– Kathryn A. Lopez, Temple News (Temple U.)