ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL: Bob Dole sweeps New York primary

NEW YORK -- Darryl Fox could barely contain his excitement. As the director of Sen. Bob Dole's New York campaign, Fox could not have imagined a more perfect day. "Everything is clicking, we're moving, this primary is in my bag," Fox proclaimed yesterday. "Only in New York could this happen." At noon yesterday, Sen. Alfonse D'Amato (R-N.Y.) contacted Fox because he was concerned about voter participation in the Republican primary. He requested a 2 p.m. press conference at Dole's headquarters. The impromptu gathering brought confidence to the Dole supporters -- something which Pat Buchanan and Steve Forbes never gained in New York. Through the sleet and hail that clouded yesterday's primary, Dole's experience and organization led the Kansan Senate majority leader to a sweeping victory. Murky skies and freezing temperatures convinced many Big Apple residents to spend the day indoors. The few that ventured out had a strong conviction to vote, which allowed a weather-withstanding Dole to capture at least 90 percent of the state's delegates. Considering New York will send the second most delegates to the Republican National Convention in San Diego, the candidates were not sufficiently prepared for an intense battle in the snow. Neither Buchanan nor Forbes established their central headquarters in New York. With voter apathy already prevailing in the state, the lack of Election Day campaigning hurt the lesser-known candidates. New York University, which was flooded with rain the entire day, reported that only 40 people cast ballots at their site. "We are averaging about two votes per hour," NYU Election Inspector Arthur Kugler said yesterday afternoon. "This has been such a boring day. I read two novels and a newspaper so far." The students who voted at the university generally had extremely strong sentiments toward their choices. "I am missing my soap operas because I feel it is my duty to give my support to Bob Dole," said NYU sophomore Greg Keller. "I didn't want to come out, but now I feel like a good citizen." Other students on campus strongly supported magazine publisher Forbes because of his more liberal views on several women-related issues. Because many students on the campus were not aware of the primary, candidates such as Buchanan lost significant votes. NYU junior Toby Zeller said he felt that Buchanan offered the best platform, but he did not vote because he thought the primary was last week. Farther to the north, Columbia University was frozen solid both on the walkways and at the polls. By 8 p.m., only 12 people had visited the area's main site. Of the 12, six were Columbia students. "I am not going to waste my time voting because none of these people care about college students," Columbia junior Paul Treichler said, explaining why he did not bother to cast a vote. "I have other things to do with my life." By late afternoon, CNN began reporting that Dole had a significant lead, with Forbes pulling in a small number of votes. At the time, Buchanan did not have enough votes to gain any percentage points in CNN exit polls. According to Buchanan's state campaign chairperson, Bill Powers, the television pundit's low number of votes was partially due to confusion with the ballot. Buchanan's name did not appear on one-third of New York's ballots. And Forbes had some weather-related problems in yesterday's primary. "I feel bad for poor Forbes," Board of Elections member Lollie Singleton. "Since Buffalo got 17 inches of snow, many of his supporters couldn't get out. I even had problems getting to the polls." D'Amato consented that the primary could have been run more efficiently, but argued that New York decisively chose Dole. Mark Grossman, assistant director of Dole's New York campaign, said the young people of New York sealed the victory for Dole. Around 8 p.m., Dole supporters escaped from the ice, wind and rain to seek shelter in the Women's National Republican Convention Center. "Look what I have covered my bald head with -- a Dole hat," D'Amato said. "Today, everyone supported Bob Dole and he received the push that will push him over the heap."