Professor Johnson added that there were good things in the blueprint but that it missed "the core issues."

"There's no real screening process," said Professor Johnson, who now teaches at the law school.

"The rules change," Professor Johnson said of the Internet economy.

A family spokesman said Professor Johnson died after a long illness.

Professor Johnson's specialty was 19th- and 20th-century English literature.

The debate was dominated by Professor Johnson's question about the relationship between history and faith.

Professor Johnson, for his part, takes a very measured view of the fuss he has stirred up.

Professor Johnson's trademark is the bow tie, which he can often be seen wearing at events and conferences.

"It's going to be like a prenuptial agreement, an unfortunate thing," Professor Johnson said.

"It sent my two children through college," Professor Johnson said later.