Editor,
With regard to Donald Gluck's letter, I take exception to not only his statements but to the overall sophomoric tone he chose to adopt. I feel his entire letter is indicative of the generally ailing and geriatric policies of the Republican Party.
As one of B. Lee Drake's predecessors, I too have experienced the same brand of misleading tactics and baseless attacks from the College Republicans, and I have witnessed their fanatic parroting of positions so extreme that even their own party has the sense not to admit to them. Without Drake's tireless efforts, the student body of UNM would not have had the many opportunities that they have had to meet the Democratic candidates and their surrogates over these past months, including former President Bill Clinton, Michelle Obama and Rep. Tom Udall. Gluck can hardly claim such credit for their Republican counterparts.
I also question Gluck's inability to use the names of Democratic candidates Kari Brandenburg and Udall. Considering Brandenburg is the incumbent district attorney and Udall is the most popular member of New Mexico's congressional delegation, and particularly in light of the fact that both candidates are winning their respective races by rather large margins, it seems likely that Gluck is attempting a tactic frequently employed by the losing party. He is hoping that by not stating the name of his opponents, the voters won't remember them. I have a piece of advice for Gluck: Such a tactic has never succeeded in doing anything more than making the speaker or writer look ill-informed, petty or a combination of both.
In one final note, Gluck is clearly incapable of even the most basic research in regard to his opposition. If he were, he would know that the Student Activities Web site is in error, and that Drake's title is president, not co-chairman. He would also know that Drake has both a cell phone number and an e-mail address, both of which are public record, and that he is in his office very frequently. Of course, Gluck has never called Drake, nor have they met on this issue. Despite his statements, Gluck has contacted the College Democrats exactly two times and has made no more efforts in some weeks. It is obvious that Gluck is less concerned about getting debates than he is about trying to make anyone who disagrees with his anachronistic opinions look bad.
This entire debate is a microcosm of the debate between both parties on the national stage. The Democratic Party is concerned with substantive issues and doing things for the American people, and the Republican Party is concerned merely with self-aggrandizement. It is a debate between innovation and stagnation, between ideas and the proverbial dead horse. I think it is clear which vision for the future Americans prefer.
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Juan Carlos Holmes
Former president
UNM College Democrats
