Connie Rice was a scheduled speaker that the Rutgers Commencement, till a large number of students, faculty and interested people in general protested and in effect forced her to back out. She would have received an honorary degree and $35,000 for her trouble, but the honor went instead to former NJ Governor - and republican - Tom Keane.
Newt, in his capacity as a host on some ridiculous CNN program celebrating abrasive right wingers, referred to this as "Liberal Fasism", which he declared is RAMPANT on America's campuses today...
http://www.rawstory.com/...
Personally, I think it was just that students and faculty wanted a decent human being for their commencement speaker rather than a war criminal who advocated and supported torture...and I note they did not invite Newt, either...