While Averell declined to comment about his platform because of election rules that prohibit campaigning before the campaign officially starts, observers agree his platform will make or break his bid.
Regardless, he might at least open up the election to council outsiders, bringing more attention to the race.
"He'll bring in a lot of people who wouldn't probably vote," Plants predicts.
The announcement that Zanotelli would also run for president took many council members by surprise. A first-year council member, he chose as a running mate council secretary John Bash '03, who just transferred to Harvard from Columbia this fall. Bash has spoken loudly in favor of more openness in the council's activities, designing weekly posters describing the council's activities.
Endorsements
At a Harvard Republican Club meeting last spring where U.S. Rep. Henry Hyde (R-Ill.) spoke, Barkley pitched the idea of a club-wide push to put a conservative at the head of the council.
Although the club is still unsure which candidate it will endorse, a strong effort on their part might put Barkley's name in serious contention.