Circle 051: Warren Rudman and Carmen Fields, Rudman Speaks Out, January 14, 1988

He offered no excuses and no apologies, only the conviction he is doing what he thinks is right. And Senator Warren Rudman stuck to his guns in the face of rigorous questioning at the 51st New England Circle.

The New Hampshire Republican told a Black South African guest that he does not support sanctions against that country because they might hurt the very people they are designed to help. And he told another Black guest he did not vote in favor of establishing Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday as a national holiday. He feels there are too many holidays without any observances. In retrospect, however, he thought the holiday is good for America.

In response to a question from WGBH-TV's Anchorwoman Carmen Fields, Rudman went out on a limb: he predicted that former National Security Adviser, Colnel Oliver North, will not be convicted by a jury unless there is new evidence that he personally profited from the Iran-contra arrangement.

Deflecting praise of his acclaimed performance during the Iran-contra hearings, he said he was motivated by the conclusion that the arms deal was simply indefensible.

by Karen Koshner (Journalist, Brookline, MA)