No Rightward Shift at IOP

I was very disappointed by the editorial "Wrong Move to Right at IOP" (Jan. 14). As an Institute of Politics associate, I had the privilege of getting to know former U.S. Sen. Alan K. Simpson when he was here as a visiting scholar last year, and I completely respect him as a politician, even though I am a liberal Democrat and disagree with him on a number of issues.

Furthermore, while The Crimson points to Ralph Reed's visit more than a year ago as a sign that the IOP is becoming more conservative, since then, the IOP has had many Democrats speak, including Warren Christopher, Mike McCurry, James Carville, Al Gore '69 and Dick Gephardt. I am confident Senator Simpson will do an excellent job leading a non-partisan IOP. --Benjamin I. Krefetz '00