In 1979, when Alec still went by his birth name Alex, the eldest Baldwin brother lost his campaign to be George Washington University's student association president by one vote. After he demanded a recount which only confirmed Baldwin's loss, he dropped out of GW and transferred to New York University.

Baldwin served as head of GW's program board, which arranged for guest speakers and the like. According to GWU's student paper, the GW Hatchet, Baldwin, campaigning for the student association presidency, told voters: "GW suffers from one of the most pitiable public relations operations of any university of America . . . the administration is deliberately striving to keep the student body in the dark as to what they are doing with our money and our education."

The soon-to-be actor's platform didn't jibe with the students, and Baldwin lost the right to an election runoff with Mike Karakostas and Pete Aloe by a margin of one vote.

The young and not yet pudgy Baldwin got his lackey and program board underling, Thomas Blood, to complain to the election board and demand a recount.

The move made Baldwin the butt of jokes. In the March 8, 1979, edition of the GW Hatchet, National Law Center senator Dana Dembrow wrote: "Yes, it is possible for Alex Baldwin to not win a fair election. Alex Baldwin lost not because anyone cheated, but simply because his opponents were the choice of the voters."

"Not everyone in the University is enchanted with Mr. Baldwin's administrative ability as a result of the job that the program board has done during the past two semesters. Some of us, in fact, were quite disappointed.

"No Alex, we didn't vote for you. . . That's right, it was fair and square. It's time to stop complaining and congratulate the victors."

Several weeks after Baldwin's loss - and days after he made his transfer to NYU known - all eyes were again on him. The university heaved a sigh of relief that Baldwin's recount efforts were not successful.

An inquiry was started when the board's funds mysteriously ran dry and GW's student activities office accused it of mismanaging money.

Later, on April Fool's day, the GW Hatchet poked fun at Baldwin in a piece that was written about the investigation.

"Phallix Baldweenie, Bored Chairidiot, commented: 'So what if they found anything? I'll be at NYU before they can indict me!," editors spoofed.