NY Times editor skeptical of Frist presidential prospects

Email | Print By Alexei Smirnov

11-11-2004 2:36 PM — A New York Times associate editor called U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist "a star in his own mind” during a Wednesday evening lecture at Vanderbilt University’s Ingram Hall.

Speaking on culture wars in an election year, Frank Rich digressed for a brief period while answering a question from the audience about potential future presidential nominees.

“I have really strong views about Bill Frist. They are not positive,” said Rich, who was an op-ed columnist and senior writer for The New York Times Magazine prior to being named associate editor at the newspaper last year.

Frist "plays both sides against the middle,” Rich said. “His party is not going to nominate him" in 2008. At least, Frist's nomination is unlikely because "three huge stars" -- Rudy Giuliani, John McCain and Arnold Schwarzenegger -- received more prominent spots in this year's Republican convention, he said.

The Wednesday lecture, which is part of Vanderbilt University Chancellor’s lecture series, was based on Rich’s thesis that the Democratic cultural agenda is winning in America despite the outcome of the recent election. As an example of his stance, Rich mentioned the appointment of Alberto Gonzales to the post of U.S. Attorney General. “I’m sure he is conservative, but he is hated by the religious right,” he said.

Vanderbilt Chancellor Gordon Gee and his wife Constance, who teaches public policy and education at the school, were in the audience among some 600 people at Ingram Hall.