KEMP RALLIES STUDENTS AT CLU : NOMINEE URGES `BETTER AMERICA'.

Byline: Michael Coit Daily News Staff Writer

Near the end of his latest campaign swing through the Golden State, Jack Kemp on Thursday tossed the game ball from the contest that began California Lutheran University's current three-game winning streak.

While that win came at the expense of Kemp's alma mater, Occidental College, the Republican vice presidential nominee was eager during a rally on the CLU campus to share his optimism for victory in Tuesday's presidential election.

``I think people all over California are going to elect Bob Dole because they want a better America,'' Kemp said at the beginning of a 30-minute appearance in Kingsmen Park.

Dole-Kemp officials have said Ventura County is important to winning the state. Kemp, a West Los Angeles native, has helped lead the effort, campaigning in Fillmore in September and Thousand Oaks earlier in October.

After a morning appearance at City Hall in Ventura, Kemp's motorcade of buses arrived to a mostly warm welcome from the crowd of more than 1,000 at CLU.

Some two-dozen supporters of President Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore and opponents of Proposition 209, known as the California Civil Rights Initiative, also appeared at the rally carrying signs and occasionally speaking out.

Joining Kemp for the rally were Republican state and congressional candidates and university officials, though a school spokeswoman said CLU does not endorse political candidates.

Head football coach Scott Squires began Kemp's appearance by presenting him with the football used to kick the game-winning field goal in the Occidental game, but Kemp tossed the ball to a player on stage and said he couldn't keep a game ball.

Squires also presented Kemp a purple jersey worn during a game. Kemp took advantage of the moment to remind the crowd that the jersey's No. 15 ``is the size of the tax cut that you're going to get when Bob Dole is elected, immediately.''

Kemp concentrated on economic issues, saying growth under the current administration isn't enough for America, and on uniting the nation's diverse ethnic population. Repeating a persistent Republican theme, Kemp said the nation's future is based on ``an abiding faith in the American people.''

Criticizing Clinton for campaigning based on ``fear,'' Kemp said a Republican administration would preserve and promote the same programs that Clinton contends would be cut.

``We don't want fear. We want to appeal to people's highest aspirations. Don't trust a man who would spread lies about Bob Dole,'' he said.

Clinton-Gore supporters responded with boos and held up campaign signs, chanting ``four more years.''

Kemp responded by comparing a Democratic presidential victory with Halloween. ``Can you think of anything more frightening and more depressing than four more years?''

Aaron Molinar, a sophomore from Santa Barbara, joined the campaign spirit with small U.S. flags stuck in his baseball cap and the cast on his left leg. Preparing to vote in his first presidential election, Molinar said he still was undecided on the candidates.

``Both sides say a lot of good stuff, and both sides battle each other a lot,'' he said. ``I guess I have to decide who's telling the truth the most.''

In urging those in the crowd to vote, Kemp indeed said there's much that separates the Republican and Democratic candidates.

On economics, Kemp said Clinton and Gore are attempting to divide America between rich and poor. Kemp said ``entrepreneurial capitalism'' should unite the nation.

``They don't get it,'' Kemp said. ``The wage earner and the investors are not separate people. They are the same people at different times in their lives.''

Kemp emphasized that Americans of all ethnic backgrounds want ``equality of opportunity,'' without specifically mentioning the controversial Proposition 209 ballot initiative that would prohibit racial preferences and quotas in government hiring, contracting and college admissions.

One of the sign-carrying Proposition 209 protesters who disagreed with Kemp's vision on Thursday was Tim Johnson, an officer with the university's African-American Student Union.

``We're saying no to discrimination and yes to civil justice,'' said Johnson, a sophomore from Los Angeles.

VOTER PROFILE

Ventura County elections officials report that 382,417 residents are registered to vote in Tuesday's general election. Elections officials project a 74 percent voter turnout. Here is a breakdown of Ventura County registration:

Republican: 164,808, or 43.1%.

Democrat: 152,402, or 39.9%.

No preference: 44,342, or 11.6%.

American Independent: 8,110, or 2%.

Other: 12,755, or 3.3%

SOURCE: Ventura County Registrar

CAPTION(S):

2 Photos, Box

Photo: (1--Color) Vice presidential nominee Jack Kemp addresses students at Cal Lutheran University on Thursday.

(2--Color) Prop. 209 supporters show their opposition to the initiative aimed at ending affirmative action in California.

Joe Binoya/Special to the Daily News

Box: VOTER PROFILE (See text)