The leaders of four student political groups discussed the candidates for the Republican nomination for president last night in a panel at the Institute of Politics (IOP).

The purpose of the panel, held before the New Hampshire primary results were announced, was to view the candidates from several different political perspectives "in light of the importance of a state with a population less than 10 percent of that of New York City," said moderator and IOP Projects Committee Chair Eric P. Christofferson '98.

The panelists, whose organizations' ideologies span the political spectrum, often conflicted in their opinions on the candidates.

Derek T. Ho '96, former president of the Harvard-Radcliffe College Democrats, said he sees political commentator Patrick J. Buchanan as an inviable candidate for the presidency.

"A vote for Buchanan is a vote for Clinton," Ho said.

David S. DeSimone '98, vice-president of the Harvard Republican Club, said he agrees that Buchanan should not win the nomination.

"Many of his ideas are not in tune with those of Newt Gingrich and many of the mainstream Republicans," DeSimone said.

He added in an interview following the panel that he sees Buchanan's economic policy as excessively liberal.

"The political spectrum is circular," DeSimone said. "Buchanan's economic policy is a protectionist policy, isolationist in nature, and that's not a part of the Republican party."

Despite their various political backgrounds, panelists agreed in their opinions of some of the candidates, including Sen. Robert J. Dole (R-Kan.).

"Dole is running his campaign based on his resume," said William D. Zerhouni '98-'97, the president of the Harvard-Radcliffe Republican Alliance.

"His support runs a mile wide, but an inch deep," Zerhouni said.

"The office of the presidency requires more of a rigid ideology than Bob Dole can bring," Ho said.

Panelists were also unanimous in their condemnation of Malcolm S. "Steve" Forbes Jr. as a Republican candidate.

Andrei H. Cerny '97, editor-in-chief of the Harvard Political Review, cited Forbes' "attempt to buy the nomination" as a quintessential example of what campaigns should not be.

"I think what this really calls out for is campaign finance reform," Cerny said.

Zerhouni said he agrees with Cerny's condemnation of Forbes but said the New Hampshire primary is evidence that campaign finance reform really may not be necessary.

"A few million dollars tried to buy the election, but American voters were too smart for that," Zerhouni said, referring to polls showing Forbes' dismal support in the primary