I would travel to D. C. every couple of months to pursue the topics of drug policy reform and harm reduction with Senator Arlen Specter, often accompanied by leaders in health and criminal justice whom I wanted him to meet.
While chatting one on one, it was likely towards the end of his second term, Arlen asked me a number of questions about George Soros support of these causes. He said he would like to meet him.
I cautioned Arlen that I understood that Soros was not inclined to meet with politicians, to which he laughed. He asked an assistant to contact Soros’ office and set up an appointment. To his chagrin he learned that Soros would not take a meeting.
At a later date, Arlen requested that I try to arrange a meeting. I was working closely with Soros’ Open Society Institute (OSI) and, through Ethan Nadelman, I was able to set up a time in New York City. (Nadelman has long headed the Drug Policy Alliance. That’s another story.)
Arlen arrived with his wife Joan, a successful business woman and then or later a council person in Philadelphia. I came with them.
Soros was cordial and the discussion constructive. I do not recall the details. Specter’s main purpose was to establish a relationship.
It was the only opportunity I had to meet with Soros, although we exchanged letters afterwards.
Over the decades, I helped support and helped lead in areas of common concern. A decade ago I met with the great Aryeh Neier who long headed OSI. We discussed some causes of mutual concern. At the time I joked with him that I considered myself George Soros’ vice-president, even though Soros didn’t know it. There was a lot of truth to what I said.
