Condi to Stanford Profs: Lay Off Rummy

Condi wants Stanford profs to lay off Don Rumsfeld and welcome “all views” at the university, Politico reports. She stopped short of praising her old colleague—“I know Don Rumsfeld, he is going to be a challenging presence”—but scolded faculty for doubting Rummy’s appointment as “distinguished visiting fellow” last week. “That’s what universities ought to be about: [an] open exchange of ideas,” she said.

Irate faculty senators had a “heated” discussion over Rummy last week and voted to take their case to the Hoover Institution's director. Rice, formerly Stanford’s provost for 6 years before joining the Bushies, defended the ex-defense secretary despite their past clashes. She hopes to return to the university after finishing her work as secretary of state.   (More Condoleezza Rice stories.)