University of Virginia Library

Republican Nominee Giesen
Praises Two-Party System

By Stefan Lopatkiewicz
Cavalier Daily Staff Writer

"We traditionally make change
in our country through a two-party
system," declared A.R. "Pete"
Giesen, republican nominee for
U.S. Congressman from the seventh
district of Virginia, yesterday
evening before a large audience in
Newcomb Hall's South Meeting
Room.

Speaking to a largely Young
Republican group, Mr. Giesen
praised the students present for
taking on the "hard work" of
politics by their efforts to elect
more GOP candidates to both state
and national positions, and said
that they would someday really
have their "voice heard," unlike
those who "sit down in hallways
and block the administration of
universities."

The three-term member of the
Virginia House of Delegates
supported his thesis that an
effective two-party system leads to
progress in state affairs by
reflecting on his experiences in the
state house.

State Revenues

Mr. Giesen pointed out that the
republican members, whose
representation has recently crept up
to 15 per cent, in the state
legislature been responsible for
recently uncovering substantial
sums of state revenues, thus making
unnecessary the of
money by state agencies and
institutions seeking finances for
developmental projects. He went on
to say that the increased republican
representation has further aided the
state budget by continuously
hammering home on the need to
cut wasted appropriations.

Three Parties

The candidate asserted that a
stronger two-party system in the
federal government would also
contribute to the good of the
nation as a whole, and noted that
"already the GOP establishment in
Congress is formulating a list of
priorities...so that we can return to
government by law."

At the same time, Mr. Giesen
deplored any movement in this
country toward a three-party
system, saying that a "multi-party
system just does not fit the pattern
of this country."

He remarked that it will be
difficult enough for either of the
two major parties to forge a durable
administration following this
November's election, but that it
would be virtually impossible for a
third party to do so.

"Good Of Country"

Mr. Giesen stated that as the
seventh district's congressman, he
would act not only for the benefit
of his immediate constituency, but
for "the good of the whole
country."

He indicated that he felt a
republican majority in the 91st
Congress would lead to a more
streamlined and effective
government by passing both a "fair
election" and a congressional
reorganization bills, the latter of
which would weaken the position
of committee chairmen in Congress.