But he does have political experience.
Before becoming a talk show host, Springer worked as an aide to Robert F. Kennedy '48 and became mayor of Cincinnati, Ohio after a stint on the city council there. After reaching the
mayoral term limit of 10 years, he anchored a news program, collecting seven Emmys in 10 years. He also earned a law degree from Northwestern.
Springer said a political opponent might have too much ammunition against him because of his current job.
Also, he said, "as soon as politics is your career, you become intellectually dishonest because you have to get elected."
At the end of the event, Springer gave the audience one of his patented final thoughts: "May you never be on my show!"
Audience members said they were impressed.
Christopher W. Snyder '04, said, "I was surprised to hear how accomplished he is. He made a lot of valid points. I think there is a stigma against the show, and he showed where there is value in it."