Graham said that HCRA’s efforts at fully disclosing sources of funding sufficiently addressed the criticism.

“The fact that our industry funding was well disclosed neutralized [the validity of] criticism,” Graham said.

A number of Harvard colleagues lobbied on Graham’s behalf, writing Senators to assure them of Graham’s ethics and credentials.

Letter writers included former University Provost and former Dean of SPH Harvey V. Fineberg `67 and current SPH Dean Barry Bloom.

Prior to the floor debate, these letters, Graham’s resume and other materials regarding his professional record were placed on SPH’s website, along with links to the websites of three of Graham’s critics.

Ropeik said that the center was being careful not to lobby for Graham. The webpage on Graham, Ropeik noted, became available only a few days before the confirmation debate and was intended only to respond to press inquiries.

Ropeik said that he felt the Senate debate on Graham was in some part partisan politics, but also the result of conflicting notions of how risk should be assessed.