Will the Penn Fallout Impact Our Future Politics?
Why are so many Americans debating whether the presidents of the University of Pennsylvania or Harvard – both elite institutions with low admittance rates – should keep their jobs? More notable, why are so many pundits and left-wing activists defending Penn’s Liz Magill, who recently resigned as president, and Harvard president Claudine Gay? Some are going so far as to argue that donors and “outsiders” shouldn’t be “pressuring” the universities.
Does the debate, moreover, reflect a realignment among parts of the Republican and Democratic coalitions? And will it play any role in Pennsylvania perhaps moving gradually toward the GOP in 2024? Recall that former President Donald Trump carried the state in 2016 by 0.7%; while President Joe Biden carried it by 1.17%. Any significant shift is likely to affect the outcome in Pennsylvania – and, perhaps, the nation.
The response of Ivy League institutions to the October 7th attacks in Israel has created momentary shifts in political alliances. Whether these shifts remain may alter electoral politics in 2024. This is especially true in Philadelphia’s suburbs – home to countless Penn alumni and parents, in addition to a significant Jewish population that has historically and overwhelmingly supported Democrats.
This started over concerns of increasingly loud antisemitic rallies following Israel’s response to Hamas’ terrorist attacks. Around Philadelphia, there was backlash among Jewish alumni – and allies – over campus marches and the subsequent delayed, misguided public statement by Penn’s then-president Magill. Major donors took to editorial pages and social media – demanding apologies and changes – threatening to withhold or cancel donations.
Why do donors, along with Americans with no ties to these “elite” universities – care about these recent events? It’s because these battles – over bigotry, the Middle East, the First Amendment, identity, and higher education – touch something in us. It’s especially important to those on the Left who have put much effort into “reimagining” what college campuses now look like. They do not want “outsiders” undoing their work.
Even before this fall, Americans witnessed more public displays of antisemitism. Now, there are increasing debates over what qualifies as antisemitic words versus what is just criticism of Israel. All of us – especially those of good will – should be alarmed by and fight back against antisemitism.
Concerning the debate over the First Amendment, when do rallies or marches lose this constitutional protection? Here’s a clear line: When protestors vandalize a Jewish fraternity with “Jews are Nazis,’ that’s no longer protected speech on a campus.
Progressive commentators and activists, though, are arguing that it’s none of our business. If you’re not a student or professor at Penn or Harvard, shut-up and go away.
Even more noteworthy, these same news outlets and commentators have repeatedly and increasingly spoken out against donors – telling them to shut up (but keep writing checks).
Those of us with no ties to Penn, Judaism, or Israel, however, deeply care. Recent weeks showed Americans that antisemitism was being ignored – even tolerated as an Ivy League school seemed to neither to understand the First Amendment nor be able to distinguish between right and wrong. And they failed to keep students safe. The second largest employer in Pennsylvania – a university and one of the largest healthcare systems – seems unable to govern itself.
Taxpayers pay the price of this dysfunction – they’re essentially stakeholders – and should be allowed to voice criticism. According to staff of House Appropriations committees in Washington and Harrisburg, for the most recent years reported, Penn received a total of almost $831 million of taxpayer money ($796.9 Million from Congress in 2021; and, $33.6 Million from PA in 2022-23) for grants, research, analysis, studies, and services. (This does not count the student loans and grants given to students, nor the reimbursements to the health system under Medicare or Medicaid.)
Our voices deserve to be heard. Until Penn gets it act together, not one dollar of taxpayer money should go to the university (especially considering that their endowment is more than $20 billion). Meanwhile, many Penn alumni in Greater Philadelphia are noting who is on their side and who is opposing them.
Countless Jewish residents and their families and friends – and those who want to protect and defend them – are taking note of who is standing with them and who is opposing them.
Our nation is deeply divided; most are all but locked in to both political parties. There are rare moments that cause a shift in political affiliation or voting patterns.
Covid, with its lockdowns and mandates, and the battles over schools being open or closed (along with their curriculum and books) were two moments that caused shifts among the party’s coalitions.
Now we have watched the reaction to the Israel-Hamas war at Penn – with many progressive Democrats (with the notable exception of U.S. Sen. John Fetterman) defending what is happening on campuses. It’s causing yet another – and palpable – shift.
Regardless of when this chapter closes, we have now seen another cultural split. It’s part of a national debate though it’s even more impactful here in Greater Philadelphia. The fights have created new divisions and potentially a long-term realignment.
The parties have been adjusting and realigning for the last decade or so in Pennsylvania. In a state that decides presidential races by less than two percent, any shift may be game changing for America.
