Behind The Summers Resignation Is The Same Old Democratic Split
So says Stanley Kurtz, about soon-to-be-former Harvard President Larry Summers:
Summers is from the sane side of the Democratic Party (yes, there is one). These moderate Democrats want to bring the academy closer to the center of the country. But when push came to shove, the leftist faculty wouldn’t play along.
That left Summers and his moderate Democrat backers on the board to choose between appeasement and a serious public battle. Ultimately, Summers and his allies backed down because they are part of the same national political coalition as the leftist faculty (which contributes heavily to the Democratic Party). Moderate Dems would be happy to reform the academy, but they don’t have the stomach to treat leftist professors as open opponents. Only Republicans can do that. So in a way, we are seeing another iteration of the paralyzing split between DLC types and the fire-breathing base. The Democratic left is just too big, too powerful, and too essential to victory to be purged, as Peter Beinart wanted to do.
Lubos Motl has a comprehensive roundup of the coverage…
[...] Decision08 is covering the Larry Summers resignation as President of Harvard University. Summers is from the sane side of the Democratic Party (yes, there is one). These moderate Democrats want to bring the academy closer to the center of the country. But when push came to shove, the leftist faculty wouldn’t play along. [...]
Comrades,
You have to wonder how this whole affair will affect donations from the big donors. The eye-opening part of all of this is how is small but shrill portion of the Teaching Staff has such a virulent hold over the rest of the Univeristy. Folks who believe in giving generously to top-flight institutions may well reconsider that, seeing how those supposedly in charge can’t control the moonbat infestation.
Respects,
Gwedd