The quiet streets of downtown Hanover were transformed into a frenzy of political activity as students and townspeople heralded the arrival of Democratic candidates Bill Bradley and Al Gore.
An overcast, chilly morning did not deter supporters from shouting rally chants and furiously waving homemade signs to morning traffic at the intersection of Main and Wheelock Streets in anticipation of their arrival.
Those in attendance held campaign signs of all sizes, including one that read "honk if you love Bradley," which elicited occasional responses from passing motorists.
As early as 5 a.m. yesterday, dozens of Bradley supporters assembled outside the Hanover Inn. By 6:45 a.m., the group -- predominantly made up of students -- was in full gear as they creatively publicized their political views. Two students dressed in vivid costumes repeatedly dashed across the four crosswalks of the intersection holding a banner that read "Superheroes Support Bradley."
A throng of news media was also on hand to shadow Bradley's every move on Main Street when he arrived at approximately 9:45 a.m.
Cameramen and sharply dressed television personalities, including ABCNew's George Stephanopolous, awaited Bradley's arrival in a roped-off area in front of the Dirt Cowboy coffee shop.
Upon his appearance, the media engulfed the former senator before he escaped into the shop to meet patrons.
The sheer mass of reporters swinging cameras and booms forced citizens and Bradley to the periphery of the sidewalk, prompting one woman to remark, "It's not fair -- only the media get to meet him." She was then ushered inside the rope line that divided the media and met Bradley.
Exiting the coffee shop, Bradley shook hands as he proceeded to the Dartmouth Coop, where his wife Ernestine, already wearing earmuffs, tried on a ski hat but laughingly decided against the purchase upon seeing herself in the mirror.
Bradley then crossed the street and walked north up Main Street, stopping to sign a Dartmouth t-shirt at the Traditionally Trendy clothing store and continued to shake hands until he entered Lou's Restaurant.
Inside, Bradley met morning diners, and joked that his wife could eat all of the rice crispy treats for sale. The two stayed inside for over five minutes before Bradley left via minivan at 10:30 a.m.
Al Gore, meanwhile, started the day later, arriving on campus at 12:30 p.m. and entering the Hopkins Center. An estimated 250 to 300 students, campaign workers, cameramen and Secret Service agents lined both sides of the patio outside of the Hop.
The vice president emerged from a black Suburban dressed in a khakis, a blazer and a polo shirt. Gore waved to the crowd, but did not shake many hands.
At about 2 p.m., Gore was inside the Dartmouth Bookstore where he read a story to a little girl and said to reporters he was "ready" for the forum. When he exited, he responded to a question by saying he bought a paperback but no Dartmouth memorabilia. In the background, however, a large crowd of Bradley supporters created a frenzy of noise.
As dusk approached, supporters of both candidates held rallies at the intersection of Main and Wheelock Streets and later on the hill between Reed Hall and the Hop. The close confines created a juxtaposition of campaign signs, each hoping to out-chant the other.
Both candidates walked by to shake the many outstretched hands before they entered Moore Theater to address the nation.
