"Nothing on the council is ever done by one person," Gusmorino said.

"At this time of year, people claim credit for as much as they can," rival Stephen N. Smith '02 explained. "You can't get too picky about it."

After current president Fentrice D. Driskell '01 and vice-president John A. Burton '01 postered for him yesterday morning, Smith explained that, while supporting the accomplishments of the current administration, a Smith administration would be different from Driskell's..

"Our style and our experience are different," Smith said.

However, Letalien said he was glad to see Smith and Gusmorino linking themselves to the current council.

"If Paul and Steve want to fight over the UC's accomplishments this year, we're happy with that," he said. "There's nothing to fight over."

Barkley made his race official last night with a half-hour "campaign announcement" in the Eliot Junior Common Room.

Barkley and about 20 supporters were joined by his vice presidential candidate Adam M. Johnson '02, former presidential candidate Frank X. Leonard '01 and council finance committee Chair John P. Marshall '01.