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viewpoints GOP, small ] By Gordon Hirsch Oamtcock Stiff Writer Political races are by their nature exciting and should be a contest among viable candidates and political parties, but the latter does not exist in South Carolina state politics. The election four years ago of Gov. James B. Edwards has been called a political fluke resulting from a divided Democratic party. Edwards was ?i i i _ fi? ? ciwteu an,er current Democratic senatorial candidate Charles D. "Pug" Ravenel was prohibited from seeking the governor's seat by a S.C. Supreme Court ruling. The ruling involved Ravenel's eligibility as a candidate concerning his status as a state resident. GOV. EDWARDS' inability to seek reelection under state law undoubtedly ends the first Republican administration in 100 years. It may well be another 100 years before a GOP candidate n*? cupies the executive office. A Republican victory in 1978 would be a political upset. There are presently no signs indicating such an occur rence. Nevertheless, Republican candidates Raymond R. Finch Jr. and Edward L. Young have entered into what some observers have called a suicide mission. The winner of the Republican primary will face the > To the Editor: " With respect to 3 i-d editorial of April 20 a \JX XXlviX the editor (April 24) coi Advisor s lniiuenc Grotchen Laatsch and 1\ Jl Vk s\ House University Unio IV1 C^TYl I lv^ I following comments b; years past experience member and Presid Defends tsss-iP Gamecock's acknov "That the University 1 TTiAnTT^-. * J major student orsai 1 J I I I V t"1 r S I l, V programming and th A AA v v>x ^"* *^4/ more services to mc more frequently thar T T organization" (Brookj 1 J "KJ 1 1978). Thank you for XXX\J XX the hard work, time an j it takes to enhance th V life of the Carolina com do you realize that woi mss m: fSCps SMTj I * 3 parties deser unhappy, and uphill, task of trying to defeat the Democratic nominee in the November election. BOTH FI^CH and Young have tried to attach themselves to Edwards and are fond of saying that the governor's work is not finished. Neither has received an endorsement from Edwards, but both PanHlHofoc arA Wnrinfiil ' ?*-A ? ~A ' * VMAIVUVtUVW m V* llU^A/lill Ulttlf Uicy 11 gel U16 chance to carry on the governor's policies and programs. TTie show really belongs to the Democrats. The battle among candidates W.J. Bryan Dorn, W. Brantley Harvey Jr. and Richard W. Riley Jr. has all but eclipsed the efforts of the Republican candidates. Unfortunately, the difficulty of any party being heard above the clamor of state Democrats is a political fact of life in South Carolina politics. Monday night's televised debate among Dorn, Riley and Harvey provided the public with the first TWll svhnnn#* 4-<v * "" iuu diani>c w v;ump?re uk oiien souna-aiiKe platforms of the three men. It was disappointing to note that the focus of these debates was on campaign technique and not on the issues of real importance. THESE ISSUES don't bear on the selection of the Democratic nominee since they all take the same basic stands. What counts with these candidates is their campaign form, technique and attractiveness . to the public. V\AAn rv/vooi .. -A * * * * * utxu (n?aime wiuioui some nard ueing a ma work, long hours, concern for and chairpersoi 'our recent belief in students by a very im- mistake bu nd letter to portant person: GRETCHEN Carolina st nceming the LAATSCH. makes suri e" of Ms. As an old unionite who has ex- Maybe this the Russell perienced the frustration with and "Bug Off" n, I offer the understanding of student when told ased on four responsibility vs. staff control one withheld as a Union tends to realize that they are not member, lent of the mutually exclusive. I have found in my present position and at I'm not i 5?. nrru ~ *** * ~ tiuc in me uaronna tnat students are en- is perfect, vledgement couraged to take on responsibility perfect hui Union is the as part of their growth and know that ( lization for development. Furthermore it deal about! at it offers ' eliminates one more responsibility reason wo >re students ordinarily part of an advisor's 16 career? T i any other hour day. But responsibility is not "Manipulat 3, April 20, given away, it is earned. Do you be very we recognizing think the general Carolina student would star d dedication could appreciate a chairperson of beliefs. I te e quality of the RHUU implementing a manipulatic munity. But orotzram worth ^nnn win* , 4 -- ?- ? Tww *? tui IIV 1IU111 JttCK ( jld not have feedback or guidance and wind up valid ideas. i Q&> ?11 c^7i?J v \ y* f *? ve attention This one party system, of state government is a detriment to our state politics. It deprives the public of a free exchange of ideas and solutions to the important problems which afflict the state. Instead, it focuses on the glitter and ceremony of campaign politics. Small party politics don't receive the coverage and attention they deserve. The difficulties of parties less TVVlrnnflll nnL~ y_S_v? ? * pvn^iui uiau me jrany vsic; in Deing Heard and gaining attention are numerous. The solutions to the problem of a one party system are limited. A desire by the general public to be better represented in state government and better informed of their choices of candidates would help the not-so-powerful Republican party and other, smaller parties. But, the people who would benefit the most would be the voters. OBVIOUSLY, the public does not desire such goals as shown in their constant support of the Democrats. We've heard from Dom, Harvey and Riley; now let's hear from Finch, Young and the latest entrv. jrniiiip Demmateis of the Libertarian Party. It seems only fair that the men who are offering an alternative to an archaic one party system have a right to be heard, whether anyone wants to hear them or not. jor failure? True, that a I'm sure that mv pnmmonfc win ...j waaaaa V*J HU1 1 may learn from the be attributed to the fact that I was t at the expense of the one of Ms. Laatsch's manipulated udent body? Gretchen students. For those of you who 2 that doesn't happen, doubt my concern for the students 3 is why she doesn't let me offer this. Presently I am (Brooks, April 20, 1978) the Program Director for the to do so by "Name University Center" at Southern by request" Union Illinois University at .Edwardsville, Illinois. My responsihilitipc aro cimilni. f/v ? ?* 41? uav OIIIIIIOI IV uiuac U1 U1K mplying that Gretchen RHUU Assistant Director for for I don't know any Programs and to be in such a man beings. But I do position you must be concerned for jretchen cares a great ancl believe in students. students for what other Sometimes we must say no and uld she choose this ask for more research before a hose who may feel concept can be pursued. But it is ed" by Gretchen must done in the interest of students, not ak individuals or they personal ego. id up for their own nd to assume that this Frank J. Siano >n may have derived Program Director, )f peer support for in- Southern Illinois University Past RHUU President Cjamecock Mark J. Lundgren Editor in Chief Ok Don Fobes News Editor Skot Garrick Entertainment Editor ^ J Mike Hunt Sports Editor ! Barbara Mathews Copy Desk Chief Lynn Shook Photography Editor Bill Fitzpatrick Advertising Mgr. Jon Clemmensen ... General Manager Sam McKce Business Manager V ? ? U A n J I f H THE GAMECOCK welcomes letters Jk ' J C..J from its readers. Letters should be limited to a single subject and a maximum of 300 words. They must be signed with the writer's true name. r Pseudonyms or other alias** will not be used, but the writer's name will be withheld If circumstances warrant. To assist us In verifying the identity of writers, please include your mailing address and a telephone number where you can be reached. Please Include class standing and ma|or, also. We reserve the right to edit all letters, not for content, but to meet our space limitations. Address: Campus Opinion, The ' Gamecock, Drawer A, USC, Columbia, S. C. 29208. ' t I