A Note on the Cover Story

This article appeared in the May 30, 2005 edition of The Nation.

May 12, 2005

With its detailed allegations of marital sexual abuse, the article by Ayelish McGarvey about FDA adviser and conservative Christian author Dr. David Hager is likely to stir controversies of various kinds. Some readers, for example, may be disturbed by the story's graphic content. As a magazine we have maintained a strong presumption against the publication of embarrassing personal facts about politicians with whom we disagree, even if disclosing those facts would be politically expedient. But in this case, we feel that these serious allegations are relevant to Hager's public role as custodian of women's health in the Bush Administration. As McGarvey writes, "The public has a right to call on Dr. David Hager to answer [these] charges before he is entrusted with another term." He is up for reappointment in June.

Subscriber Login

4 ISSUES FREE

Subscribe Now!

The only way to read this article and the full contents of each week's issue of The Nation online is by subscribing to the magazine. Subscribe now and read this article -- and every article published since for the past five years -- right now.

There's no obligation -- try The Nation for four weeks free.

.
Most Read

Issues »

Most Emailed

Issues »

Popular Topics

Blogs

» State of Change

It's 3 a.m., Hillary's on the Phone | It looks like Clinton will be the Secretary of State.
John Nichols

» Capitolism

Left Out | Would it kill Obama to have an actual progressive or two in his cabinet?
Christopher Hayes

» The Beat

Key Committee Pick Signals Obama-Pelosi Direction | Waxman gets Commerce chair, amid signs of focus on healthcare, environment, consumer protection.
John Nichols

» The Dreyfuss Report

That Iranian "Bomb"? Relax. | Obama has lots and lots of time to deal with this problem carefully and rationally.
Robert Dreyfuss

» The Notion

A Clinton Administration? | Given the Obama appointees so far, you might think Hillary had been elected.
Tom Engelhardt

» Passing Through

Should GM Survive? A Wall Street Analyst's View | Maybe they should just let it die.
Jane Hamsher

» Act Now!

Take the Joe Lieberman Pledge | In America, it's never too early to start preparing for the next election.
Peter Rothberg

» Editor's Cut

Smart Defense | Rep. Barney Frank is leading the charge to end the Pentagon's weapons spending spree. Is anybody listening?
Katrina vanden Heuvel

» And Another Thing

Election Updates --Good News and Not | Details on some ongoing stories
Katha Pollitt