Richard T. Gill '48, who was Master of Leverett House in the late 1960s, said there were very few students or Faculty members who were openly in favor of the Vietnam War.

"The Faculty was ready to go along with the limitations on free speech," Gill said. "It became impossible to express pro-war sentiment."

Gill praised Gore for having the courage to enlist, especially considering former Tennessee Senator Albert Gore Sr.'s public opposition to the war and the anti-war sentiment on campus.

"No question that his decision to go in was very exceptional," he said.

Richard Hyland '69, a fellow Dunster House resident who was active in Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), said he doubts the depth of Gore's inner conflict.

"There were people who were very engaged liberals," said Hyland, who is also a Crimson editor. "Nothing got done except discussing the war. Al Gore never participated in a single conversation while I was there."

The media has also been skeptical.

As the letters have leaked to the press over the past two days, commentators on cable television have said the Talk magazine article may be intended to boost Gore's image in light of the upcoming election.