After Woodward was quoted in the newspapers discussing the matter, a number of politicians, including both Judd Gregg and Gov. John Lynch (D), called for an investigation. Bonnie Newman, who was then acting president of UNH, defended his activities on the grounds that they represented legitimate free inquiry that was appropriate to an institution of higher learning. Her words at the time were: "[W]e encourage the open inquiry of ideas and respect the freedoms, rights and responsibilities of all members of our learning community."