The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, June 08, 1978, Page Page 14, Image 14
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