"The time has come for a Republican president and a Republican Congress," he told the crowd, to loud applause.

Porter's remarks followed those of Martin S. Feldstein '61, Baker professor of economics and chair of the Council of Economic Advisers under former President Ronald Reagan. Feldstein, who is advising Bush on economic policy, spoke more about conservatism than Republicanism and expressed his clear preference for Bush over Arizona Sen. John S. McCain.

Feldstein said he believes that Bush's tax cut proposal is more sound than McCain's, which he said only reduces marginal income tax rates at a middle income level.

The three speakers drew a wide variety of guests, from conservative Undergraduate Council members to members of Hillel to four uniformed Reserved Officer Training Corps (ROTC) cadets, who carried the American flag as the Din and Tonics sang the national anthem.

"There's nothing wrong with ROTC," said Simpson in his remarks. "It's about patriotism. Isn't that a squirrelly idea?" he joked.

While the conservative "Coming Out Dinner" in the fall was marred by protest over what some deemed misappropriation of the language of the gay rights movement, those attending last night's dinner claimed more uncontroversial motives.

"A lot of Republicans have deep convictions," said Porter, trying to explain the turn-out to the event. "We also tend to be social people."