It was a cheap, “cover your butt,” attempt to have it both ways. Either don’t invite him (the right thing to do) or allow him to speak without a diatribe. Ronald Reagan was not introduced with a diatribe at Moscow State U. in the 1980s. It showed how classless, and gutless, libs really are.
You are right. And it only made the despot sympathetic, especially when he talked about how in Iran guests are treated courteously.
Bollinger should have published that speech as an open letter in the NYT after the visit.
Actually, he should not have invited him in the first place.