"They're trying to see if they can wear us out," said Goodling. "This schedule is something else."
The politicians, retired for 20 years between them, volunteered their time for the visit as part of the Congress to Campus program, run by the Stennis Center for Public Service.
Their demanding schedule had the two former congressmen in classrooms, mealtime events and even an informal debate, meeting all the while with students, faculty and President Tony Marx.
"Your president, I thought, was a student," said the senior Goodling, recalling one of many lighter moments. "I said, 'Well, you're just a kid.'"
Over a dinner with politically active students, former Representative McHugh expressed one of the events' main themes. "This is an important time, when people can be so cynical and skeptical for young people to engage in these issues that affect so many lives."
His partner Goodling echoed the sentiment often, with a specific charge to the students he met. "You're the best and the brightest," said the retired Congress member, "so don't wait for someone else to do it."
Conversations between past and future politicians ranged from foreign policy and campaign finance reform to specific advice about what it takes to gain the upper hand in a congressional district. Goodling and McHugh emphasized the importance of an active community presence and a "genuine interest and credibility in public service."
Given what the former congressmen perceived as weakening local party machinery, both pointed out the growing chances for a young candidate with the right local profile. McHugh, noting precedent, mentioned former colleague Dave Emery of Maine who turned 25-the minimum age for congressional service-after his election and soon before he was sworn into office.
Goodling seconded the encouragement for young candidates and warned not to be disappointed by setbacks, pointing out a string of United States presidents who lost their first congressional races.
Much of the agreement between Republican and Democrat even extended into the informal debate Monday evening. Despite fundamental philosophical differences, the representatives made a point of noting their common ground.
"One of the purposes of coming out," said McHugh, "is to demonstrate how we can discuss our differences of opinion but do it in a civil and constructive way."
Association of Amherst Students (AAS) President Mike Simmons '06, who organized the event along with Senators Julie Kim '08 and Rohit Raj '08, was struck by just how constructive much of the discussion was. "The quality of interaction between the former members and the students has been much more meaningful than I would have predicted," he remarked.
Other students appreciated the unique experience but found the long-retired congress members unprepared for the caliber of questions confronting them in the classroom. "It became quite clear very quickly that Congressmen Goodling and McHugh were more intent on giving sound bytes about public service than engaging us substantively and intellectually on our ideas," said Ian Shin '06 of a visit to his U.S. public history class.
Professor of Political Science Pavel Machala, though, was impressed by the representatives in his class on U.S. foreign policy and said he found their answers thoughtful and substantive. "The answers these two men gave were not pre-packaged in any obvious ways."
For most students, the classroom visits were a one-time chance simply to engage politicians in an academic setting. Jason Kilinghoffer '06 was one of many who found it "extremely informative to have actual policymakers explain their ideas regarding the reasons for American policies."