Dear Harvey,

I am terribly sorry about this, but I must offer my sincere and enthusiastic endorsement to your campaign for a position on Harvard’s Board of Overseers. Since I am offering this endorsement (1) on the pages of an NRO blog; (2) as a conservative; and (3) not just as conservative but as a religious conservative (the horror!), I fear that my endorsement could harm your candidacy at a leftist stronghold like Harvard. However, your character and consistent defense of civil liberties for all citizens compel me to write. Your tireless efforts in your own private practice and as co-founder of perhaps the only truly non-partisan (in the sense that its only agenda is liberty) civil-liberties organization in the United States speak for themselves.

The inferior branch of our land-based military services has a nice saying: “No better friend; no worse enemy.” When it comes to your life’s work, those who seek to advance liberty have no better friend — and those who oppress our fellow citizens have no worse enemy — than Harvey Silverglate.

I just hope that your long and distinguished record of advocacy for various liberal policy positions can insulate you from the negative effects of this conservative’s endorsement, or the endorsement of any other conservative. Harvard — a place that I love — would be all the better for your leadership. And Harvard’s students — including conservative students — would breathe freer air with you on the board.