And The Crowd Goes Wild Vp Thrills Students At Campaign Stop

It felt like a raucous concert crowd on the gymnasium floor as college students cheered and squealed, then mashed into one another to try to shake Al Gore’s hand.

For most in the young banner-waving throng, it was their first political rally on the eve of their first chance to vote for a president.

And after Gore had finished shouting, many students looked intoxicated by the performance and lauded the vice president as if he were a new rock star.

“It was like a religious experience,” explained Ian Walton, a Gonzaga University junior. “You just want to to go out and tell everyone about it.”

Cheryl Jordan, another Gonzaga junior, nodded. “He knew his audience,” she said, smiling. “It was orgasmic.”

Students flocked to the Spokane Falls Community College gymnasium Monday, including a caravan of Washington State University Cougars who left Pullman at 4 a.m. to help prepare for the event.

As more than 4,000 people crept through security into the gym, police sealed off several downtown streets for Gore’s 17-car entourage, which included five state patrol cars, two limousines and an ambulance.

Outside the gym, a dozen anti-abortion demonstrators prayed and passed out literature, protesting the abortion-rights politics of President Clinton and Gore.

Inside, small U.S. flags were tucked into ponytails and ball caps as a young man with four earrings disbursed placards and flags to people wearing jeans, backpacks and black lipstick.

The crowd was so revved it cheered Spokane Mayor Jack Geraghty, and squealed when congressional candidate Judy Olson came blushing into the spotlight.

Then loud music was piped into the gym as everyone waited for Gore. Some people sang along. Some danced in the bleachers.

Even Spokane County Prosecutor Jim Sweetser, one of many Spokane Democrats sharing the stage, couldn’t stop himself from tapping his feet to James Brown’s “I Feel Good.”

Then came Gore’s entrance to flag-waving hysteria, with six stern Secret Service agents immediately behind him.

Often branded as a dull speaker, Gore hit the right chords with the young audience. A knot of four excited college students gave these reviews:

“Inspiring.”

“He’s so gifted. You can tell he really means what he’s saying.”

“His images really work.”

“If anybody came here undecided, they’ll be running to the polls now.”

Across the gymnasium floor, three Japanese exchange students struggled to explain the thrill of hearing Gore speak.

They couldn’t find the words, and they couldn’t stop giggling about how they’d shaken the vice president’s hand.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color photo