MANCHESTER, Oct. 11 -- Waving banners of "N.H. Gun Owners for Gramm" and "Gramm '96 for President," about 40 students from the Conservative Union At Dartmouth had a chance to meet Republican presidential contender Phil Gramm up-close and personal.
The Republican entourage, which was sponsored by the Gramm camp, was bused from Kappa Chi Kappa fraternity to the poster-plastered Holiday Inn ballroom in downtown Manchester.
Gramm was one of 10 Republican presidential candidates to speak in a nationally televised forum tonight. Before the forum, Gramm came to the Holiday Inn to mingle with the masses.
After arriving in downtown Manchester, Gramm supporters gave students posters and signs and asked them to wave them as the Texas Senator arrived.
Although it was the first time many of the students had seen or heard Gramm, there were many Gramm supporters in the Dartmouth group.
"I am here for him," Barbara Umlauf '98 said. "He impresses me the most of any of the Republican candidates," she said.
"I support Gramm and came today to see him," she said.
The rally before the GOP forum was attended by about 700 people including national and local political figures.
"As the acting coordinator of the Gramm campaign on campus, CUAD was extended an invitation by the Gramm camp to participate in the debate night reception with Gramm," said Mark Cicirelli '96, CUAD's co-vice president.
"This is a great opportunity to get more information on what is currently going on and also a way to meet the candidate," Shawn Burgess '96 said.
With the feel of a pep rally, the night began with an introduction of the other political leaders that came to voice support for Gramm, including Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchinson, R-Texas, Gramm's wife Wendy Lee Gramm, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Sen. Bob Smith, R-N.H.
Gramm arrived at about 5:00 p.m. and gave the cheering crowd a 25-minute speech attacking the liberal left and the President Bill Clinton's administration.
"I am running to beat Bill Clinton and change America," Gramm said. "Less government and more freedom for the American people."
Among the highlights of Gramm's speech included a proposal for a $245 billion tax cut and massive overhaul of the welfare system.
Gramm also advocated mandatory jobs for welfare recipients.
"Phil Gramm is the only candidate that has had real consistent success with the issues." said Wendy Lee Gramm, his wife.
Gramm mingled with the crowd briefly before and after his speech, pumping fists and chatting with his supporters. Gramm's wife stayed the entire night to watch the forum on two large-screen televisions with Gramm's supporters.
"Young voters should vote for Gramm because your future is so important," Wendy Lee Gramm said. "Congress has continued to squander your money ... we have to change that."
Wendy Lee Gramm talked with Cicirelli at the rally, and Cicirelli issued an invitation on behalf of CUAD to have Gramm come speak at Dartmouth. The two exchanged phone numbers and Wendy Lee Gramm said she anticipates her husband will come to Hanover before the New Hampshire primary in February.
