"Journalist McCain: Despite '06 edge, corruption also dogs Democrats' past"
(Sept. 27, 2006)
To the Editor,
Visiting Tufts University on Tuesday, Sept. 26 was a great pleasure, and I wish to thank the students, faculty, administration and, most of all, the Tufts Republicans for sponsoring my visit.
In an age when our national political scene seems dominated by division and anger, attack ads and hysterical hyperbole, it was refreshing to see that at Tufts, there is an effort to discuss even the most controversial issues in a thoughtful and respectful manner.
I was pleased to see, for instance, that the leaders of the campus Democratic and Republican organizations have not let political rivalry prevent personal friendship.
I was greatly impressed to see that Tufts had invited Shelby Steele to present the annual President's Lecture, and to learn that this lecture series had been endowed by an alumni eager to provide a forum where Tufts students could be exposed to the most profound intellectuals and the most provocative ideas.
Unlike some campuses, where controversial authors are shouted down or threatened, Dr. Steele was treated with respect and courtesy even by those students who strongly disagreed with his ideas. This speaks well of Tufts as an institution dedicated to training responsible leaders for America's future.
Finally, I wish to express my thanks to staff writer Pranai Cheroo and his editors at the Tufts Daily for reporting on my presentation to the Tufts Republicans. I hope you will take it as a compliment - however clich?©d it may be - when I say that your coverage was fair and balanced.
Robert Stacy McCain
The Washington Times
Co-author (with Lynn Vincent) of "DONKEY CONS: Sex, Crime & Corruption in the Democratic Party"
