I first heard Hank talk about China 20 or so years ago in one of the dozens of his keynote addresses I covered over my quarter-century-plus at NU. I remember one particular speech in which he strongly urged the Clinton administration to “engage, but not confront” the Chinese government over human rights violations.

He was not arguing as an apologist for the brutal Chinese regime. What he suggested was that rather than being confrontational with China and delivering ultimatums involving trade restrictions or outright embargoes, the U.S. should engage China by continuing to develop the country's economy along capitalist lines. Capitalism, he explained, cannot thrive in a closed society, arguing that economic self-interest would eventually force the Chinese government to allow more freedom of speech, the press and individual initiative to keep its economy–and global power–growing.

We aren't there yet with China, that's for sure, but economic and educational opportunities are certainly growing quickly across the country.

While grateful that the media was allowed to cover the event at all, and that Hank did not keep his talk “off the record,” I did find it amusing that the press table was stuck all the way in the back of the huge hall, right near the exit. We would have needed a bullhorn to shout a question his way, but at least we were in the room.

The conversation at our table focused on whether Hank would settle or keep fighting to beat the rap, and my bet is on the latter result. He values his reputation more than just about anything else, and I would bet he is determined not to end his illustrious career with a black mark next to his good name. And I don't think a lightweight political hack like Andrew Cuomo has what it takes to take Hank down. Even the relentless Mr. Spitzer would have had a hard time finishing off this kill had he stuck around the AG's office rather than take over the state as its governor.