When Donna Brazile posed for a photograph with President George W. Bush at his Christmas party, she whispered to him, “Don’t forget about us.”
Brazile, University alumna and Al Gore’s former presidential campaign manager, was referring to New Orleans and its citizens. She does not want her hometown to fall off the President’s radar.
Brazile addressed a crowded room of students Thursday in the Journalism Building’s Holliday Forum.
The lecture titled “Political Action, Engagement and Leadership” kicked off Women’s History Month.
Brazile addressed several topics including New Orleans’ recovery, the 2008 presidential elections, the role of women in politics and her experience at the University.
She said the citizens of New Orleans need more than hope to reconstruct the city – they need recommitment from the federal government.
Brazile said she is not ready to embrace the “current crop of candidates” who are competing in the 2008 presidential election. She said she likes candidates who value morals, integrity and honesty.
“Character is my most important ingredient,” she said.
Brazile said women play a major role in framing the debates on energy efficiency, poverty and domestic violence.
She said women outpace men in voting in elections and occupy more leadership positions than ever before.
“We’re the majority, and we’re about to show the world,” she said.
Brazile said despite these accomplishments, women still strive for equality in all aspects of life.
“Women are still on the political battlefield,” she said.
Brazile has several accomplishments under her belt. She is a published author, a regular political commentator on CNN and ABC, a regular contributor to National Public Radio and is the first African-American to lead a major presidential campaign.
Adelaide Russo, French studies professor, said she met Brazile about three years ago at a conference organized by Gov. Kathleen Blanco.
“She’s positively inspiring,” Russo said.
James Knobloch, mass communication freshman, said he enjoyed Brazile’s lecture.
“I was expecting somebody kind of boring, but she was really entertaining and very opinionated,” he said.
Knobloch said Brazile gave him the impression she cares about Louisiana and the University. He said she seems like she is doing everything she can to help the state.
Erica Cliatt, communication disorders sophomore, said Brazile connected with the audience. Cliatt said Brazile seems passionate about her work.
“I’m glad we have people that high up coming to our university,” Cliatt said.
—–Contact Angelle Barbazon [email protected]