Portsmouth Herald
2/20/96, Pg. A6
STUDENTS HEAR DOLE AT YOKEN'S
50 LISTEN TO PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE EXPLAIN THE `SERIOUS  BUSINESS' 
OF THE PRIMARY        
By Brent F. Jones, Herald Staff
 
   PORTSMOUTH - Winnacunnet High School students took seats, and sides, at
Bob Dole's address to the Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce at Yoken's
Conference Center on Friday morning.
   About 50 students were invited to join Seacoast supporters and Chamber
members to listen to the Senate majority leader's view on the ``serious
business'' of the primary race and the need for Americans to look to the
future.
   Students' views ranged from opposition to support, with many expressing
concern for Social Security and health care for their generation.
   ``I think he's a fake,'' student Melanie Fuller said.
   Fuller said she was frustrated with Dole's negative comments about
President Bill Clinton and said she was most concerned with having a
president in office who will make sure Americans living on Social Security
will be financially secure.
   Fuller's disabled 43-year-old father is living on Social Security.
   ``I want to make sure that he's going to be all right ... and not have it
taken away from him,'' she said.
   Michael Felch, a young fan of Dole, said the candidate is a ``great man''
and a ``true born leader.''
   Felch said he mistrusts President Clinton and agrees with Dole's statement
that Clinton ``talks right and governs left.'' He added that he is frustrated
with the candidates' negative treatment of one another, particularly Steve
Forbes' television ads.
   ``The biggest barrier to change right now is the President of the United
States,'' Dole said. ``When he's here (Saturday) he'll sound just like a
Republican ... he'll talk about smaller governments, he'll talk about tax
cuts, he'll talk about welfare reform, he'll 
talk about all those things he vetoed ... then he'll go back and he'll do
whatever Ted Kennedy or the liberals have in mind.''
   Leslie Dolleman, a guidance counselor at the high school, said the
students' exposure to government was positive. She added that the students
are interested in a candidate who is a leader and a motivator.
   ``They are looking for someone who has the ability to lead, to convince
them to become involved,'' Dolleman said. ``They are looking for someone who
gives them enough reason to get involved.''
   Student Art Ridenhaur said he felt Dole hit all the major topics, such as
trade and improving the welfare system.
   ``I'm looking for a president who can really do what he promises on the
campaign,'' Ridenhaur said. He did not say if he is a Dole supporter but
added that his ideal president would create more jobs for his generation.