According to Bursztajn, his connections as an HMS professor has helped him to gain a perspectives on the issues that range far beyond the local medical community.

"Over the year, I talk to and teach more than 1,000 doctors from all over the country, so I'm able to look past regional concerns," Bursztajn says. "Harvard also offers a real trans-disciplinary opportunity....I get to speak to friends at the business school, the law school, and the medical school on issues."

As an HMS graduate, Bursztajn says he has also been able to keep in contact with an alumni network that has served as a testing ground for campaign ideas.

According to Ames Professor of Law Philip B. Heymann, who advises former Senator Bradley on topics related to crime, the Harvard name carries more weight outside of the U.S. than it does here.

"In foreign countries it helps a lot to have get the Harvard name in there; it can help [a cause] a lot," Heymann says. "In America it sometimes hurts, because it sounds and is somewhat elitist."

Fried, like many of the other political advisers in the faculty, relies more on his past experience rather than his status as a Harvard professor. He says his affiliation with the University has gained him "remarkably little" influence in the Bush campaign.

Still, Fried says that it is important for those in academia to take an active interest in the political realm.

"If you spend your time thinking about the issues like we do, it's important that you try to have an influence," Fried says.