The four vice-presidential candidatessay they are foregoing a contest with Gabaybecause of his popularity and effectiveness aspresident.

Reyes says the "main reason" he will not seekthe presidency is the "respect" he has developedfor Gabay's leadership.

"This past semester has been one of the mostproductive" for the council, he says. "Careyobviously still has the motivation and interest,and I have no interest in interrupting that."

Braswell also says that she doesn't want tointerfere with capable leadership.

"Carey has done a good job, and when you're atthe end of one semester and you get the momentumgoing, it's hard to cut if off," Braswell says. "Iwould like to see him finish."

Among Gabay's accomplishments are holding thecouncil's meetings in upperclass houses for easieraccessibility, the debut of the council's firstofficial newsletter, The Courier, andallowing first-years to attend executive boardmeetings. According to council members, Gabay hasmanaged to bring together a previously factiouscouncil.

"It may sound silly," says Garza, "but the keything about the council's success is itswillingness to work together."

In addition to the admiration of Gabay,council observers say there may be another reasonfor not joining the presidential race.

"The main reason is that they realize Carey'sdoing a great job and no one wants to challenge anincumbent doing a great job," says David A.Aronberg '93, a Law School first-year who wascouncil chair in 1992.

Aronberg adds, however, that losing an electionto Gabay could be damaging to whatever politicalaspirations the candidates might harbor.

"You can only lose so many times," Aronbergsays. "You want to be able to minimize yourlosses. Otherwise people will get the impressionthat you're recycled candidate."

In addition to safeguarding politicalviability, vying for the vice presidency alsomeans vying for the position which hastraditionally served as the springboard to thepresidency.

"The vice presidency has always been seen as astepping stone," Gabay says.

Steven N. Kalkanis '93, a former council vicechair who is now a first-year student at theMedical School, also takes note of this commonroute to the presidency. "That's traditionallywhat it has been in the past," he says.

In fact, Aronberg and sucessor Malcolm A.Heinicke '93 served as vice chairs before becomingchair. And Beys and Gabay served on the executiveboard before winning the election to the council'stop post.