Within the University, however, it's a question of building respect and influence, not maintaining it. The large drop in membership, coupled with the fact that a third of the Executive Committee resigned this year, is indicative of the trend for activists to seeks SDS or the Young People's Socialist League even though they may not fully support their policies. There is little alternative for political action at Harvard. And those who join Young Dems with the vague hope that it will arouse them from their political apathy soon retreat to the comfort of their books.

Aware of these trends, Abrams would like to implement "the old coalition idea of bringing together all Leftist factions at Harvard to establish a mass base needed for any social change. SDS, YPSL, Campus Americans for Democratic Action, and those active in the McCarthy campaign are all doing some things inherent in the Young Dems' policy, and the duplication among them is wasteful. We ought to be willing to work together," he said.

Leftist Sentiment

Effectively, the political atmosphere at Harvard is dominated by those activist groups whose relatively small memberships do not reflect the majority Leftist sentiment here.

"It's too bad, but YPSL is the farthest right of the organized political groups on campus. Young Dems and Young Republicans simply can't interest political activists, so there is a vacuum where a moderate liberal voice is needed," Kelman said. Kelman, who will not run for re-election to the Young Dems Executive Committee tonight, is now active in YPSL, which, he says, is attracting more and more people who are not socialists.

McCarthy Missed

The presidential campaign of Senator Eugene McCarthy would seem to be the logical rallying point for Young Dems to begin a reconsolidation of their far-flung membership. Most of the Executive Committee drop-outs left to work for McCarthy through other organizations. Their leaving is indicative of the failure of Young Dems to provide a framework for any kind of politically meaningful activity.

The interest and the energy to work for McCarthy is rampant at Harvard, but Young Dems members have been forced to seek channels outside the organization. If the club's leaders--whoever they may be--could construct a cohesive campaign program, it might reattract those in self-exile from the Democratic Party at Harvard.