Liberal speakers continue to dominate the college commencement scene, with those linked to President Obama especially in demand, according to a survey of the top 100 colleges and universities.
In its annual report, the Young America’s Foundation revealed that in the top 50 schools as ranked by U.S. News & World Report, liberal speakers outnumbered conservatives nine to one.
Among the top 10: All speakers were liberal. In the top 100 it was six to one.
Schools also favored Obama officials, including first lady Michelle Obama and Vice President Joe Biden. Nine Obama officials were slated to give commencement addresses this year. Over eight years of the Bush presidency, just 14 officials spoke at the graduation ceremonies of the top 100 schools.
The data also shows favoritism by these universities toward Obama administration officials. Nine Obama administration appointees are speakers in 2015 — compared to 14 George W. Bush administration officials for the entire eight years of Bush’s presidency.
Ron Robinson, Young America’s Foundation president, said, “Higher education preaches inclusion and diversity, while largely excluding conservative leaders from campuses. This is exactly why Young America’s Foundation has the largest conservative campus speaker series in the country — because our speakers will likely be the only conservatives students hear from in college.”
The organization’s full survey and list of speakers can be seen here.
Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner’s “Washington Secrets” columnist, can be contacted at [email protected].
