“It seemed like he was saying that [the flag-burning ban] is just what we have to do to get votes, even though it’s against the Constitution,” said A. Eleanor Luey ’04. “I don’t think that’s a very noble stance to take.”

Ashley N. Fochtman ’05 added that Clark’s inordinate emphasis on foreign policy during his Kirkland remarks reflected the fundamental weakness in his candidacy.

“I am willing to concede that he is hands down the best candidate in terms of foreign policy,” Fochtman said. “However, I would question his lack of experience in the domestic sphere. We cannot elect a president who does not adequately address domestic issues.”

But Clark’s student supporters vigorously defended their candidate’s domestic credentials. “He not only understands economics, he taught it at West Point,” Rosenbaum said.

Andy J. Frank ’04, president of the Harvard College Democrats, said that the Clark campaign is one of the best-organized efforts on campus. Enthusiastic volunteers distributed Clark chocolate peanut-butter candy bars at the Kirkland event to drum up support for the general.

Dean and Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich of Ohio have pledged to visit Kirkland on the campaign trail, but Clark was likely the final Democratic candidate to appear on “Hardball” this electoral cycle.

Kucinich declined MSNBC’s invitation in October, accusing Matthews—a onetime Democratic aide—of pushing a pro-corporate agenda. And Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman of Connecticut has not yet said whether he will appear on the show.

“It’s our last night here, unless Lieberman gets his act together,” Matthews said.

According to Bill White, director of the JFK Jr. Forum at the KSG, 1,720 students, faculty and community members entered an online lottery for tickets to the Clark interview.

Only Dean, who attracted 1,819 lottery entrants the previous week, drew wider interest.