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Q&A
Harvard’s Institute of Politics gets a new director
BY SETH GITELL

One of the hottest local hangouts for political junkies, the Institute of Politics (IOP) at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, is getting a new boss. On June 15, current director David Pryor, a former Arkansas governor and senator — and well-known Clinton pal — will return to his home state, where he’ll help his son Mark run for US Senate. Last month, it was announced that he’ll be replaced by another Clinton cohort, former secretary of agriculture Dan Glickman, in August. Glickman, who served as a congressman from Kansas for 18 years before joining the Clinton administration, hopes to stay at the post longer than the usual two years served by most directors. The Phoenix recently spoke with Glickman about his impending move.

Q: Why are you taking this job?

A: I spent all those years in public life. After a year and a half of practicing law, I’ve felt this great yearning to be back in the public sector, but not running for office. I like the idea of being involved in an academic environment with students. I’ve been perplexed by the not-complete involvement of students with politics. I’d like to expand that — and make a difference.

Q: You’ll have to move to Boston — or Cambridge — to take this job. Have you ever been to the area?

A: I did one of the Harvard forums when I was secretary. I came to the IOP when I was a freshman member of Congress. I was in the same class as former vice-president Gore and [former Clinton White House chief of staff] Leon Panetta.

Q: What lessons do you bring from the Clinton administration?

A: I bring my own experience at USDA, where we were involved in issues like food security and anti-hunger programs. I’m sure they have not had a lot of agriculturalists up there. I made the joke that maybe we could plant soy beans or corn in Harvard Yard. If you look closely, the Harvard shield has three sheaves of wheat on it.

Q: What kind of speakers do you envision bringing to the program?

A: I’m very interested in humor. I think there’s far too little in American politics these days. I’d like to see everybody lighten up. There are funny people in politics. Alan Simpson is very funny. Barney Frank is very funny. Bob Dole is very funny. I don’t want to imply that the IOP is going to become the Comedy Central of New England, however.

Issue Date: May 9 - 16, 2002
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