URHAM, N.H. - There were no interruptions. No uncomfortable questions posed by intrusive moderators. No bickering over the finer points of tax reform.
Last night, each of the six Republican candidates for the presidential nomination got equal time to plead their cases before more than 1,000 of the party's faithful at a Republican National Committee fund-raiser.
Seated on the covered ice at Whittemore Center at the University of New Hampshire, bathed in red and blue light, GOP activists gave each candidate a warm reception, though most of their hearts were already committed to Texas Governor George W. Bush.
Arizona Senator John McCain, who has placed second to Bush in national polls but is leading among likely Republican voters in this first primary state, used the occasion to condemn both Vice President Al Gore and former Senator Bill Bradley for their stances on gays in the military.
''Just in the last few days, the two Democratic candidates proved they are not qualified to be commander in chief of the armed forces of the United States,'' he said. Who aspires to be the commander in chief of the armed forces of the United States and says they will only choose a chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff who will support and pursue a social agenda does not qualify?''
McCain vowed to continue the ''don't ask, don't tell'' policy if elected.
He also lamented the lack of discussion on foreign policy in Republican debates so far. He called the Clinton administration's policy ''feckless,'' and condemned possible plans to return 6-year-old Elian Gonzalez to Cuba.
''I will not be driven by polls,'' McCain said. ''I am completely experienced and prepared to be president of the United States.''
McCain steered clear of campaign finance reform last night, a topic which he has hammered in other forums to date, but which has made some in the Republican Party angry with him.
Bush, who has been criticized in New Hampshire for paying too little attention to voters until recently, opened his speech by recalling his fond memories of the state.
''My trips to your state have always reminded me that the great strength of our country lies in hearts and minds of our citizens, not in the halls of government,'' Bush said, to loud applause.
Bush also criticized the Democrats for their policies on the military, telling the audience, ''I'll be a commander in chief who respects the military and a commander-in-chief who will earn the respect of the military.''
Bush also discussed his tax cut plan, which one of his rivals, Steve Forbes, has attacked in recent days. While Bush spoke, a Forbes aide delivered a detailed rebuttal to reporters, arguing that Bush had broken a no-new-taxes pledge in Texas in 1997.
Other candidates also hit familiar themes: their opposition to abortion and to big government, the decline of religion and morality in American life, the failure of the Clinton-Gore administration to safeguard national secrets.
But while all six candidates may have gotten equal time, the evening belonged to Bush. This was a gathering of the Republican establishment, and, as supporters of other candidates hastened to explain, the establishment is squarely with the Texas governor.
''I like his demeanor,'' said Audrey Murphy, a party activist from Marlborough, Mass. ''He has a feeling of sincerity and honesty, and warmth.''
And at least one guest was won over to Bush last night. Bill Kerrigan, who was seated at a Gary Bauer table, had privately decided to change camps before Bush had even stepped up to the podium. He picked up a Bush sticker as he walked in, but decided not to use it until after the dinner, out of respect for Bauer.
The reason for his switch? Bush, Kerrigan said, can win.
''I don't want to lose with a thoroughbred,'' Kerrigan said. ''I want to win with a solid conservative.''
He was not alone.
''We're behind enemy lines tonight,'' said Dan Robertson, New Hampshire press secretary for Steve Forbes. ''Most of the people here are the establishment. To a man, they're supporting Bush.''
But the night was also about money, raising $200,000 for the party, a state record. Forbes bought 20 tables, at $2,000 each, to reward his supporters.
