REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK: Arkansans cheer as native son Clinton sweeps to second term

The crowd in Little RockThe crowd in Little Rockjostled for a glimpse ofThe crowd in Little Rockjostled for a glimpse ofthe president Tuesday. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- While President Clinton geared up for a jog Tuesday morning, hundreds of busy volunteers rushed off to polling sites and put the finishing touches on bleachers in front of the Old State Capital building. By the time Clinton voted and settled down for an early afternoon nap, the entire downtown area was a busy hive of frantic reporters, police officers and Secret Service agents. The pundits might say Clinton defeated Republican candidate Bob Dole on the strength of a growing economy and his own political savvy, but anyone here will tell you he owes his success to the hard work and devotion of his volunteers and supporters. Volunteer Cindi Wiedoer spent the last hours of the campaign putting up signs encouraging people to vote and directing thousands of visitors through metal detectors and security checks. Wiedoer, a member of Americorps -- a program Clinton initiated to grant college scholarships to students in exchange for community service -- said she "wanted to give something back." Throughout the day, supporters tried to catch a glimpse of the president. They packed Union Station during Clinton's noon appearance to cast his vote, and they stood on rooftops, straining to see through the windows of the Old State House where Clinton waited to give his acceptance speech. Although Clinton was scheduled to speak at 10 p.m. CST, excited supporters lined up near the State House at 3:30 in the afternoon, impatiently glaring at Secret Service agents manning metal detectors in front of the building. The crowd featured a unique cross-section of ages, cultures and even political affiliations. Life-long Arkansas resident Connie Bain, 76, sat outside for six hours despite her arthritis, saying she "wouldn't do this for anyone but Bill Clinton." "I was here four years ago and I was anxious because I did not know how a native son with little recognition would go over," Bain said. "But this time, I came back with no doubts whatsoever. If there was a third term, I would be 80 years old but I would be here again." If the number of children in the crowd listening to Clinton's 11 p.m. speech was any indication, Little Rock public schools ought to have cancelled school Wednesday. Pre-schooler Christie McCullough spent the entire night on her father's shoulders proudly displaying a handmade Clinton/Gore banner. And Arkansas Republican Daryl Lovaas said he was in the crowd "just to see what happened." Although Lovaas admitted to being disappointed by the Republican loss, he said he was "still proud of the hometown boy." Others came to the Old State House that night to turn Clinton's victory into instant profit. Vendors, like Susan Miller of Texas, hawked T-shirts, buttons and other campaign paraphernalia. "We just came here from Texas to try and see if we can make some money," Miller said. Some sought a glimpse of celebrities and Clinton government members, shuttling back and forth between the limousines pulling up to the nearby Excelsior hotel and the State House. But when the strains of "Amazing Grace" faded and Clinton emerged, all eyes turned to the stage. "Of course we are proud," explained resident Dee West. "Can't you tell? We stayed here this long with this mad rush of people, didn't we?"

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