Former Sen. John Breaux convened the first meeting of his new class, How Washington Works, on Aug. 21 in the Curet Conference Room of Campbell B. Hodges Hall. The 4000 level political communications elective focuses on the inner workings of Washington politics.
With 34 years combined experience representing Louisiana in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, Breaux is an expert for the class, said Martin Johnson, associate dean for graduate studies in the Manship School.
“The good thing about teaching a class like this is, it’s basically current events,” Breaux said. “We could do a class every day on the day’s headlines.”
The former LSU Law School graduate started off his class with an explanation of his history in politics, starting in 1972 with his election to the U.S. House of Representatives. The election featured the then 28-year-old lawyer against what Breaux described as 10 men each old enough to be his father. He explained that he was able to use his experience working for Congress and his profession as a lawyer to win the seat.
Breaux also explained some of the circumstances around his 1986 election to the U.S. Senate,including some stories about the counter-messaging the employed during the campaign.
He spoke about how instead of an expensive fundraising dinner, like the one being hosted by his opponent for then-President Ronald Reagan’s visit, the senator opted to deliver meals for Meals on Wheels.
Breaux gave some insight into his political philosophies. He spoke briefly on the current polarized state of politics. Breaux said that he favored an approach to deal-making that started in the center and worked to the edges of the political spectrum until a majority was reached. He said he thought it was better for something to get done and for people to argue over who did it, than for nothing to get done and for people to argue whose fault it was.
Breaux also said that he would much rather be speaking to a room full of students than a room full of senators.
“Students have not half of the egos that members of the Senate did,” Breaux said.
Breaux said he has spoken to former Sen. Mary Landrieu and former campaign members to speak to the class.
“I’m excited about being able to do it,” Breaux said. “Because the opportunity to talk to young people about government and what’s happening, why it’s working and why it’s not working, I think is so important because the future of government and society depends on the young people.”
