In New Jersey: The Best and the Glibbest

(3 of 3)

The Princeton debate panel president decided against wearing "either a toga or a tux to the finals." This last round is in grave Nassau Hall, where, the hosts claim, Princeton Students James Madison and Aaron Burr held forth, off-topic, 211 years ago. The Princetonians want the debaters to heed the chamber's cavernous propriety. "To waste this room on worn-out double-entendres would be sacrilege," says Bob West, '81, back for the tournament. Indeed, the puncturing blasphemies are scarce during the final round. (Only one wispy student, speaking from the floor and pointing to the room's portraits, gets excessive. "Look at George II—he's a fruitcake.")

Oliphant and DeMoulin win, decisively, over Kidd and Smith. "Awesome!' cries DeMoulin afterward, his trophy in hand. "I am psyched." JJ. Gertler, a formidable Amherst also-ran, is chatting "Don't you want to be in politics, J.J.?" friend asks. "Oh, my gracious, I hope not," he says. "We hope not too," chimes a passing victor, and Gertler, only momentarily speechless, manages a game smile.

—By Kurt Andersen