Harmon Takes National Post

A sophomore who is a former president of Harvard Democrats was elected president of the National College Democrats of America last weekend.

James M. Harmon '93 ran unopposed to take over the political umbrella organization at a national convention in Washington, D.C. Harmon was the national organization's vice-president last year.

Several of the national political organization's leaders in recent years have been Harvard undergraduates.

Harmon said yesterday that his organization plans to take an active role in the upcoming presidential elections.

"What we want to do is to organize students, to get them excited about getting involved in the '92 elections," Harmon said, adding, "We've got our work cut out for us."

Harmon also said he wants to make the national organization "more issue oriented" and use it as a central source of information to facilitate campus operations.

Some students said they were pleased at Harmon's election.

"Jamie is a very hard working, ambitious and dedicated and will probably do a good job," said Daniel H. Tabak '92, who has worked with Harmon on the Undergraduate Council.

Others--particularly Harmon's political foes--expressed less confidence in the young Democrat.

"The future for college Republicans has never been brighter," said Harry Wilson '93, the president of the Harvard Republican Club. "If he does as well with the national organization as he did with the Harvard club, this will be the last year of the organization."

Adam Taxin '93, who also worked with Harmon on the council and roomed with him last year, questioned his status as a leader, even of the Democrats at Harvard.

"This college is 70 percent Democrats," he said. "If you ask them if Jamie Harmon is their leader, they'll probably laugh at you."

Harmon succeeds last year's president of the National College Democrats James DeBorg of Albright College. Two years ago, Harvard's Matthew Pinsker '90 ran the organization.

"I think he will do an excellent job," Jeffrey C. Stravino '92 of the Harvard Democrats said of Harmon. "It's something he's always wanted, and I'm glad he got it. I'm happy for him."

The president of the National College Democrats is an unpaid position, unlike the corresponding Republican position. Manuel S. Varela '94 was elected last week to succeed Harmon as president of the Harvard Democrats.