Let’s begin with Mr. Hammond’s counter to Mrs. Hayes’ statement, “and now that there is some stiff competition, they simply don't know how to respond.”

I am thrilled to hear of the many individual accomplishments made by many of the College Democrats, but that has nothing to do with reacting to the College Republicans’ recent surge. If the College Democrats were not so threatened by dissenting opinions, why would an entire organization challenge one student to a series of debates?

The title of the article written in the Dec. 5, 2003 edition by “Wil Hammond, President of the Tennessee Federation of College Democrats was “College Democrats challenge Hayes to debate.” In regards to the other statements made by Mr. Hammond, we see the same old thing: Iraq, jobs, “we aren’t liberals.”

There is no need to address these issues. Time will show which side is handling these issues in the right way. We also want to think about this.

I am not a smart person, but something smells fishy. It is no secret that several “high-ranking” students that work for The Pacer are Democrats.

Now, it is one thing to get blind sided, but to walk right in to it? Give me a break.

Chase Johnson is a senior Political Science major from Gallatin.