He contends that the denunciations leveled against the HRC by the HRRA stem from the HRRA's incorrect belief that the HRC and Peninsula at the time were interchangeable organizations rather than two separate clubs.

Instead, Dickerson turns the tables, blasting the HRRA and its current president, William D. Zerhouni '98, and claims that the new Republican club was formed as a result of personal differences rather than ideological ones.

"Those were ridiculous accusations used to undermine the club; they were totally unfounded," Dickerson says. "People might think that Zerhouni's a sexist, but that's no reason for a group to leave an entire organization."

But other HRC members offer more shocking explanations for why the break occurred.

"I don't think [HRRA members] had noble intentions," says Brian E. Malone '96, a member and former vice president of the HRC. "I think they were upset that they lost the HRC elections and they needed something to put on their resumes."

Malone says it is extremely suspicious that the HRRA put approximately half of its 20 members on the executive board when the organization was started.

Two Outlooks

Although there is some doubt as to whether ideological differences led to the HRRA's formation, the two clubs have staked out rather different philosophical positions on numerous issues.

In its short existence, the HRRA has prided itself on creating a more inclusive club that projects a positive outlook for Republicans.

In addition, club members have not hesitated to boast that the Alliance's membership exceeds that of the HRC.

"We formed the [HRRA] to show that Republicans are tolerant, that Republicans are inclusive, that Republicans have a positive agenda and that Republicans are optimistic about this country," says Zerhouni.

This year, the stances the two clubs have taken on a number of issues illustrate their differences.

The HRC and HRRA backed different sides in the clash between members of Philip Brooks House Association (BA) and the Harvard administration, which led BA to push for increased autonomy from the University.

While the HRRA supported PBHA's move toward autonomy, the HRC found fault with PBHA's position.

The HRC declared that the opposition of the PBHA toward Assistant Dean of the College for Public Service Judith H. Kidd, the new director of PBH, was unjustified and that PBHA's separation from Harvard "was not in the best interest of the donors."