As the first in the nation primary countdown nears its final hours, Republican candidate Arizona Senator John McCain delivered brief remarks at Alpha Delta fraternity yesterday morning while other presidential candidates made last-minute campaign sweeps throughout the state.
Speaking to an audience that included many non-student supporters and AD brothers, McCain often couched his remarks in a Dartmouth context. He recalled his visit over Homecoming weekend Fall term when he witnessed one of only two Big Green football triumphs of the season.
"I look forward to a Big Green victory tomorrow," McCain told supporters as snow fell lightly.
His appearance at AD marks the sixth time McCain has visited Dartmouth or Hanover since last March, and his second appearance at a fraternity, which is the most of any candidate.
He attributed the success of his campaign, which has steadily gained ground and surpassed Texas Governor George W. Bush, to the people all over New Hampshire who have become involved in his campaign at every level.
During his remarks, McCain interestingly volleyed attacks not towards his primary Republican competitor, but at Democratic Vice President Al Gore.
"I can beat Al Gore like a drum," McCain said emphatically of a possible match-up in the general election with the Vice President.
He then charged the Clinton/Gore Administration of debasing government, citing the 1996 scandal when Gore attended a fundraiser at a Buddhist temple where monks were found to have participated in illegal donation-laundering.
"I'm going to clean up this mess and restore the confidence and faith of young people in the government," he said. "I am for reform -- the government is not in the hands of the people ... and I will give government back to the people."
Noting that Sunday's Peterborough town hall meeting was his 114th, McCain said his campaign was all about the enthusiasm and participation of New Hampshire residents that has made him "enlightened" and "exuberant."
"My real mission as President is to inspire Americans to commit themselves to causes greater than themselves," he said.
Accompanied by his wife Cindy and his four children, the McCain bus rolled into Hanover an hour late, delayed because of the unanticipated snowy weather, which he joked was "not exactly Arizona."
Also on the McCain campaign trail were South Carolina Congressmen Lindsey Graham and Mark Sanford, whose support McCain will enlist when he shifts his efforts to South Carolina, the site of the next primary.
Yesterday was McCain's last day campaigning in the state, and called it "a remarkable experience" despite the strenuousness.
According to McCain campus coordinator Collin O'Mara '01, today McCain will spend his time in the Southern part of the state, including Manchester and Concord, and will have his primary party in Nashua tonight. Meanwhile, student supporters in Hanover will be involved in visibility and poll checking efforts.
"I am extremely confident he will win by seven to nine percent, and I think the voters of New Hampshire have seen the integrity and character he has, and will reward him with a victory tomorrow," O'Mara said.
Despite the vigorous campaign schedule, McCain will not even spend the night in New Hampshire. Immediately following the poll tabulations and the party, McCain will board a plane to South Carolina where he will soon face another slew of town meetings and campus visits.
"He's kept the most hectic schedule of the candidates by far," O'Mara said, noting the senator made about 20 brief campaign stops yesterday.
Both primary races remain hotly contested today, causing analysts to predict a high turnout at the polls. O'Mara said he was surprised at the large number of undecided independent voters when he called them yesterday.
"The big factor is the independent voters trying to decide between Bradley and McCain. I think that Bradley losing support recently could help McCain, and that's a concern I have going into tomorrow," Bush campus coordinator Chris Dreisbach '00 said.
He said Bush student supporters will be stationed outside Hanover High School polls today.
Dreisbach said the winner would be determined by five percentage points in the polls either way. While Bush is conducting a national campaign, McCain has honed in on New Hampshire. If McCain cannot win here, he will face a large financial obstacle.
On the Democratic side, the Vice President is canvassing throughout the state both today and yesterday, and will finish up at the Holiday Inn in Manchester tonight after the polls close.
"We're confident of a victory, and if he does win, he will show he's a superior candidate and that he's made the connection with New Hampshire voters," Gore 2000 campus coordinator Brian Stults '02 said, noting the considerable time, money and emphasis competitor Bill Bradley has invested in the state.
Gore 2000 student volunteers are working on a "Get Out The Vote" program that will include canvassing and phone calls. Today's operations will focus on visibility and encouraging voter turnout at the polls, providing rides if necessary.
Former Senator Bill Bradley spent his time yesterday at town meetings and a rally in Manchester. Today he will focus efforts at different polling locations in Concord, Merrimack, Portsmouth and Hampton.
"It's a close race, but think he's going to pull it out in the end," Bradley campaign coordinator Tim Waligore '01 said. "It might go the other way, but Bradley has a very good shot."
Voters are taking another look at Bradley and realizing they want integrity and authenticity, and see him as the best candidate who can beat the Republicans in November, Waligore said.
Campus coordinators for the Steve Forbes campaign could not be reached for comment.
