To see photos and hear highlights from Carville’s speech, click here.
Political consultant, commentator and media personality James Carville spoke to about 100 University students and guests Friday morning in the Journalism Building about the inevitability of failure and the University’s importance to Louisiana.Though he was scheduled to talk about the release of his new book, Carville, who was invited to speak by the Reilly Center for Media and Public Affairs, spent most of his time talking about what he called “the most indispensable university in the country.””Our future is bright here,” Carville said. “The impact you’ll have when you leave here will be remarkable.”Carville was introduced by Chancellor Michael Martin, who opened with Carville’s background and his connection to the University.”He is a reservoir of contradictions, but that may be what makes him a renaissance man,” Martin said.Carville, who’s known for his work on former President Bill Clinton’s 1992 campaign and his political commentary, graduated from the University with both undergraduate and law degrees. Carville said jokingly the best four years of his life were spent as a sophomore at the University.”No one is more dedicated to the Manship School of Mass Communication or this University than James,” said Jack Hamilton, dean of the Manship School of Mass Communication.He said the students attending the University now were the best who have ever attended. He also said the state should hold up its end of the bargain and spare the University from budget cuts.Carville said the proposed budget cuts would be the end of the University as it exists now.Carville encouraged the students to pick up their phones and call their congressmen about budget cuts. “Be passionate and annoying,” Carville said. “Don’t wait on orders from headquarters, just saddle up and ride.”Carville warned the assembly of the dangers of assuming life after college will be filled with success. He said no one can succeed unless they are willing to fail from time to time.”We’ve convinced ourselves and convinced people that success is the norm,” Carville said. “And that’s a god-awful lie.”He offered himself as a personal example, reflecting on how he quit practicing law when he realized he would not hire himself as an attorney.Carville also reminded the crowd of the defeats of Abraham Lincoln, who also failed as an attorney, lost several bids for congress and presided over the most divided period in American history.”He was a stone cold loser,” Carville said. “You ain’t gonna lose that much, I don’t care how hard you try.”While entertaining questions, he spoke briefly about the subject of his new book “40 More Years: How the Democrats Will Rule the Next Generation.”He said the Republicans are having trouble attracting young voters and as those voters grow up, they will likely be Democrats. When a student asked Carville what was the best way to make a career choice decision in these uncertain times, Carville answered he didn’t give career advice — only career assistance.”Have a beer and think about it,” Carville said. “If you want to do something, just do it.” —-Contact Adam Duvernay at [email protected]