Did Tressel blow it?

Navigating roiling political waters is a challenge for even the most-experienced hand, which is why newcomers should tread carefully.

With that cautionary note, let’s take a close look at Youngstown State University President James Tressel’s recent foray into the world of politics. Tressel’s endorsement of Republican presidential candidate John R. Kasich, the governor of Ohio, and his invitation to Ohio’s Republican U.S. senator, Rob Portman, to give the commencement address last fall begs the question: Did he throw caution to the wind, and in so doing, did he blow it?

Indeed, there’s another issue that has surfaced that also speaks to the president’s decision-making beyond the realm of academia: He has accepted an invitation to be one of the keynote speakers for the Men’s Rally in the Valley at the end of this month.

That acceptance has triggered a hard-hitting response from Dr. Bruce Waller, chairman of YSU’s department of philosophy and religious studies. (More later.)

First, let’s deal with Tressel’s endorsement of Kasich, whose chances of winning the GOP nomination for president are slim to none.

Here’s what the admittedly popular president of YSU said earlier this month when Kasich brought his campaign to the Mahoning Valley:

“If you ask I think he’s a great guy – absolutely. If you mean if he’s my favorite – absolutely. He’s just a quality person. If you want to call that an endorsement, I guess that’s what it is.”

Close relationship

Tressel, former head football coach at Ohio State University and YSU, contended that Kasich has done a great job as governor. The two men have a close relationship, as evidenced by Kasich’s presence at Tressel’s installation as president of YSU.

It does help that the former football coach is well known statewide, having lead both Ohio State and YSU to national championships.

But, is it advisable for a state university president to make an endorsement in a race that in all probability will result in the GOP nomination going to New York City billionaire Donald Trump? It could be if there’s quid pro quo involved.

Did Tressel ask for anything from the governor in return for his support? Let’s hope he did.

As president of an urban, four-year university that is being battered by all sorts of challenges, Tressel should have made it clear from the outset that friendship aside, he was expecting a big pay day from the state’s capital budget.

Indeed, Youngstown State had sought $13 million from the state for one of Tressel’s signature projects, the Mahoning Valley Innovation and Commercialization Center. It carries a price tag of $40 million.

The center will be about 100,000 square feet and will be located either on or near the YSU campus. The center will combine the business community with YSU, Eastern Gateway Community College and area career and technical centers. It would provide access to high-end manufacturing technology.

The project is exactly the kind of out-of-the-box thinking Gov. Kasich has been demanding from public universities and colleges.

Thus, the $13 million sought by Tressel seemed quite reasonable.

And yet, the capital budget to be voted on by the GOP-controlled House and Senate and signed into the law by the Republican governor provides only $3 million.

In other words, the YSU president’s endorsement of the presidential candidate is worth far less than what one would have expected given the Tressel-Kasich mutual admiration society.

Tressel’s legions of supporters, as well as those who are paid to sing his praises, will undoubtedly contend that the $3 million is a major victory and is, therefore, worthy of media adoration.

But the cynics among us will argue that Tressel should have been able to get a commitment from the governor for the entire $13 million. The amount is a drop in the capital budget bucket.

There’s still time and presidential hopeful Kasich may well decide that he owes his pal more than lip service.

As for Tressel’s decision to not only invite Sen. Portman to address last fall’s graduating class but to grant him an honorary doctorate degree, this question warrants an answer: Why?

Portman is seeking re-election this year and is being challenged by former Democratic governor and ex-area congressman Ted Strickland. Polls show the race to be a toss up, with many political analysts saying that contest in Ohio is the one to watch in the November general election.

Why then would Tressel risk alienating Strickland, who could well defeat Portman?

The obvious answer is that YSU’s president failed to consider the political ramifications of his actions and didn’t have anyone in his inner circle advising him against taking sides in the Senate race.

But there is a way Tressel will be able to justify diving into the roiling political waters. If Portman is able to secure millions of dollars from the federal government for the Innovation and Commercialization Center, Tressel’s political misstep will be forgiven.

Otherwise, giving Portman the spotlight last fall on the campus of YSU makes no sense politically.

Finally, there’s the heat YSU’s president is taking for agreeing to speak to the Men’s Rally in the Valley.

Here’s how Dr. Waller described the organization in a letter to the editor published by The Jambar, YSU’s student newspaper: “ … a group that presents its package of bigotry and intolerance as a true version of Christianity.”

“The Men’s Rally has every right to promote their bigoted homophobic and misogynistic views, and Jim Tressel has every right to join them as a featured speaker. But the core values of YSU are diametrically opposed to those of the Men’s Rally, and the President of YSU cannot uphold the values of YSU while supporting the bigotry of the Men’s Rally.”

Waller pointed out that two years ago, the keynote speaker was Phil Robertson, who was removed from the reality show Duck Dynasty because of his vicious attacks on homosexuals.

Once again, Tressel’s decision-making outside the comfort zone of academia is being called into question.

He certainly seems to be in need of an adviser who isn’t afraid to tell him no – in a respectful way, of course.