University of Arkansas Fayetteville - Razorback Yearbook (Fayetteville, AR)

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“It was a once-in-a-lifetime event to be with the first family on Election night. It was exhilarating, one of the best nights I’ve ever had.” ■ Junior Kelly Smakal ON THE NIGHT OF NOV. 3, 1992, the dream of a young man from Hope, Arkansas came true. And, it arguably was the biggest event in the history of Little Rock, and perhaps the entire state of Arkansas. Gov. Bill Clinton, looking tired but surprise ingly energized after a 29-hour, 4,000-mile jaunt through eight states, arrived in Little Rock early on election day and was greeted by chants from supporters. The arrival of election day brought relief for the tired governor who had traveled coast to coast spreading his message of hope, liberty and change. While waiting for election returns, Clinton said, “I’m just glad it is over.” Clinton, 46, was elected president of the United States becoming the nation’s third young¬ est man to hold the office. His message had been well received among many Americans both young and old, whose votes for the Democrat had a big influence in the electoral college. As state after state went into the Democratic column, it became evident early in the night that Clinton was on his way to the White House. The election brought a record number of voters to the polls, especially in the 18-25 age group. Clinton’s youth and his emphasis on using unconven¬ tional media channels gave his campaign a populist flavor. To keep his name in front of voters, Clinton often used non- traditional venues such as MTV and The Arsenio Hall Show. During his fight for the executive office, Clinton faced accusations of infidelity, marijuana use and draft dodging. From Oct. 31, 1991 when Clinton announced his candi¬ dacy for president to the Democratic National Convention, the polls showed that voters did not trust him. However, on election night, the results told another story. “The people have spoken,” Independent can¬ didate Ross Perot said in Dallas election night. “They have chosen Governor Clinton.” And, indeed the people from Arkansas spoke out in Little Rock. As election returns rolled in, the celebration started in downtown Little Rock as voters waited patiently for the Clintons and Gores to appear in front of the Old State House — the spot where the campaign started approxi¬ mately a year earlier. Hundreds of students traveled to Little Rock to share in the election night festivities hoping to congratulate, or at least get a glimpse of the new president. “It was a once-in-a-lifetime event to be with the first family on election night,” junior Kelly Smakal said. “It was exhilarating, one of the best nights I’ve ever had.” Smakal went to Little Rock with a friend and got more than she ever expected. “I had a personal tour of Clinton’s national headquarters by a member of the Clinton team,” she said. “I also went to Virginia Kelly’s party, the only party Clinton went to. I spoke to him and hugged his neck. He looked tired, but he still took the time to hug and shake hands with people.” While there, Smakal met several famous people. “At the party, I met Richard Dreyfuss, saw Jack Nicholson and had coffee with Markie Post,” she said. “We could not get a cab, so we rode to where we were staying in a limo with a California Representative.” Smakal was impressed by the whole celebration. “Everyone from Arkansas — Republicans, Democrats and Libertarians should be proud to call him president just be¬ cause he was from our state,” she said. BY MATT HELMER KIM TRACEY 8 Student Life

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“On this beautiful fall evening in the town where it all began for me nearly 20 years ago, I want to thank every one of you for coming out here to be part of a Homecoming for me, part of a rededication of what I began in public life to do.” ■ Gov. Bill Clinton CHANTS of “We want Bill” echoed through the campus hills as an eager crowd of 10,000 awaited the arrival of the Demo¬ cratic presidential nominee. On the ground, a colorful hot-air bal¬ loon broadcasti ng the slogan “Ar¬ kansas is a Natural” and a huge banner proclaiming “Welcome Home Governor Bill” set the stage as the Cate Brothers entertained the crowd. Excitement built as the cam¬ paign plane rumbled directly above the crowd assembled on the Old Main lawn on its ap¬ proach to Drake Field. Gov. Bill Clinton, just days from becoming the president-elect, was returning home. And, no one seemed to care that the governor missed his 4:30 p.m. arrival time by almost two hours. Clinton’s final campaign appearance in Arkansas served a dual purpose. Clinton thanked his long-time friends at the University, who encouraged him to enter politics while he and Hillary served as law professors at the UA Law School in Fayetteville. He also endorsed John Van Winkle, who was in a stiff and ultimately unsuccessful fight for the same 3rd Congressional District seat Clinton unsuccessfully sought in 1974. “1 wanted to come here tonight for many reasons,” Clinton said. “But one is to ask you in a very heartfelt way to help me finishsomething I started in 1974 by sending John VanWinkle to the Congress of the United States.” In the afternoon shadows of Old Main, Clinton told the assembly, “I’ll never forget what you’ve done for me and what you have done for America.” Singing the praises of his home state, Clinton defended the attacks his opponents President Bush and Ross Perot made in ref¬ erence to the Clinton record on taxes and the environment in Ar¬ kansas. Clinton continued to thank the crowd for its support despite the temporary interruption by Bush supporters. “On this beautiful fall evening in the town where it all began for me nearly 20 years ago, I want to thank every one of you for coming out here to be part of a homecom¬ ing for me, part of a rededication of what I began in public life to do,” Clinton said. After speaking seriously, Clinton rolled up his shirt sleeves and played the fight song on the saxophone with the Hog Wild Band. In addition he plunged into the crowd to tirelessly shake hands with hundreds of supporters. UA political science professor Diane Blair, who took leave to work in the Clinton campaign said: “I can not imagine a more perfect combination of this man who has done so much for the people of Arkansas, this man who is about to become the president of the United States, with the people who gave him his first start, in the most gorgeous afternoon that ever existed in the Ozarks.” The Arkansas governor reflected briefly on the people who pushed to be near him on Friday, Oct. 23, 1992, before boarding the plane to leave. “I’m really at home here today,” an emotional Clinton told a Morning News reporter as he ended his visit to Northwest Arkansas. “All my friends, relatives, the people who have been with me for 20 years were here,” Clinton said. “A lot of people who aren’t around anymore I thought about tonight. It was a wonderful night. Unbelievable.” TOOTING HIS HORN Joining the Razorback marching band, Gov. Bill Clinton plays the Arkansas fight song on his saxophone during his homecoming rally in front of Old Main. J. Teeter photo Y KIM TRACEY Clinton’s Homecoming 7

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VOLUNTEERS Sigma Nu members were among the more than 50 students working in conjunction with the Young Demo¬ crats, the organization that sponsored Clinton’s campus visit. The volunteers mailed nearly 3,000 special invitations to area campaign supporters, formed a phone bank for calling guests, painted signs and helped provide security for the event. B. Ebbrecht photo VICTORY PARTY The Democratic election watch party at the Hilton convention center was a happy place as voters cheer official projection that Gov. Bill Clinton would become the next president. Television reporters, broadcasting live from the headquarters, had to compete with the celebration to file reports . In the U.S. Senate race, Democratic incumbent Dale Bumpers defeated Mike Huckabee; however, Democrat John VanWinkle was defeated by Republican Tim Hutchinson in the Congres¬ sional race. B. Ebbrecht photo ON THE ROAD Crossing the state line into strong Republican territory in southwest Missouri, about 40 UA students, including Wendy King, ASG vice president, distributed flyers and talked to voters as part of the “College Arkansans for Bill Clinton ’92.” B. Ebbrecht photo Election 9