Nevertheless, he waited for a job that wouldallow him "to gain a perspective on politics" and"keep in touch with my colleagues and the issuesof the day." For Thornburgh, the IOP position wasthe perfect job. He even turned down an offer byPresident Reagan to become Director of the FBIbecause "it was a 10-year commitment I wasn'tready to make."
"This is a very comfortable environment forme," says Thornburgh. "I also find the IOP to be achallenging opportunity for someone who has spentthe last 18 years in public service."
But watching from the sidelines as his partybegan to prepare for the 1988 presidentialelections, Thornburgh could not resist as he sawGary Hart's candidacy self-destruct in a week andVice-President George Bush fail to do well at thepolls. In June, Thornburgh gave his approval toaides' urgings that he at least consider a run forthe Republican nomination.
Fiscal integrity and ethical integrity seem tobe the issues he could run far on, according tohis aides, because of his strong stands on budgetcutting and crime. "He's got the profile webelieve the voters out there are looking for,"says a long-time gubernatorial aide.
"It is unlikely that I will become acandidate," Thornburgh says with an almost sadsmile on his face. "But I have to keep my optionsopen."
Thornburgh will make a final decision on apossible run in the fall, after contactingRepublican leaders, Pennsylvania officials, andfundraising sources.
"You just don't know what opportunities mightbe available," Thornburgh says.
For although he plans his stay with the IOP tobe "a break for a couple of years," Thornburghwarns that "in electoral politics 24 hours can bea lifetime."
"I have no long-term game-plan," he claims.
"But what I do have is a zest for politics, andI want to bring that zest to the next generationof leaders here at Harvard," Thornburgh says.