Ex-Democratic Congressman Critical of Obama at SMPA Event

A few notable politicians, journalists, and a political scientist sat down for a discussion as a part of the Center for Innovation Media’s Conversation Series at Jack Morton Auditorium Monday evening. The discussion, entitled “Broken Politics, Mixed-up Media: Can This Be Fixed?," focused on the current divided government and its coverage by the media. 

Moderated by SMPA Director Frank Sesno, the panel included CNN’s senior congressional correspondent Dana Bash, former Utah Republican Senator and SMPA Distinguished Professional Fellow Bob Bennett, former Tennessee Democratic Congressman Harold Ford Jr. and GW political science professor John Sides. 

During the opening questions, Sesno asked Bennett and Ford about the health of our government. 

“[Government is] broken. The people are not happy,” Bennett said. 

 Sesno pressed the question on Ford: “Do you think this president is leading?” 

“I don’t think he’s leading. I don’t think he’s been an effective [leader],” Ford replied. 

Dana Bash, a journalist covering the day-to-day Congressional activities, commented that “adults” are hard to find in Congress. 

Bennett commented that his father, Wallace Bennett, a former Utah senator, would have fellow legislators at his apartment during his tenure in the Untied States Senate. Nowadays, Bennett says legislators are too busy to get to know each other. 

At the heart of the problem, Professor Sides said that the “[political parties] have become further apart than before,” noting the increased polarization. To have success in the polarized political environment, Sides suggested, “Get your brand of crazy on the ballot.” 

While Bennett sees the root of the problem as being the congressional redistricting process every decade, Ford claims that legislators are learning more about electioneering than policy. 

Bennett says it is a “reaffirmation of what the Republican Party was founded on,” but called the Tea Party a movement without any “real solutions.” Ford said the Tea Party has a “manifesto that isn’t all that bad.” 


Bennett was defeated by now Senator Mike Lee at the Utah Republican convention in 2010. He claims he ran a traditional campaign, but recognizes the lack of a social media aspect that led Lee to win the Republican nomination for Bennett’s senate seat. In order to fix our broken government, Ford says, “Obama has to be more of a leader. The best time to solve big issues is when government is divided.”

Fmr. Secs of State discuss issues before students, dignitaries

[caption id="attachment_567" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="From Left: SMPA Professor Frank Sesno, Secretaries Warren Christopher, Henry Kissinger, Madeline Albright, James Baker, and Colin Powell. Not pictured - CNN's Christiane Amanpour"][/caption]

A conversation with five of the most influential decision makers of our time took place earlier this afternoon in Lisner Auditorium. The event dubbed, "The Next President, a World of Challenges" was meant to spark a public discourse surrounding the issues that face the United States.

Former Secretaries of State Madeline Albright, Colin Powell, James Baker III, Warren Christopher, and Henry Kissinger graced the stage for the ninety minute event moderated by CNN Special Correspondent and GW Professor Frank Sesno along with Christiane Amanpour, CNN's Chief International Correspondent

The event covered an array of subjects including the economy, global warming, and the situations in Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran, Syria, Georgia, Darfur, and the role of the media in public life. Generally, the secretaries were in agreement over the issues. Among these topics was whether to engage perceived enemies like Iran. Albright summarized the consensus by saying, "You need to engage with countries you have problems with," but also warned against pushing too hard against the Middle Eastern nation saying that it may only rally anti-American support behind the Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Quarrels arose over issues like Darfur where the secretaries sought to stymie the genocide occurring in Africa, but stopped short of demanding action because a response allegedly would not benefit American interests and would stretch American resources thin.

Despite being within fifty days of a general election, the secretaries only briefly touched upon the actual candidates, and instead focused on one of two lenses - the role of a 21st century America in a globalized world, and how America would engage it's enemies and allies to resolve the problems circumventing the globe.

While the event was meant to be a dignified gathering of students, diplomats, and foreign dignitaries, Secretary Baker, who served President George H.W. Bush, humorously claimed the solution to Global Warming was to kill all the world's cows because their methane riddled farts contribute to global warming. Meanwhile, in an assumed jab at Alaskan Governor, and Republican Vice Presidential Candidate Sarah Palin, Secretary Albright claimed that Global Warming occurs everywhere except in Alaska. Both were rare light moments in an afternoon meant to transcend partisan lines and offer the next President of the United States guidance in a rapidly changing world.

The event will air on CNN beginning September 20th at 9pm.

- Jesse Regis