Miami Student

Issue date: 8/24/07 Section: Campus

McClellen

Myers

Politics and the nearing presidential election will be the hot topics of debate this year, as the Miami University Lecture Series kicks off with a political discussion between two Washington insiders.

"The 2008 Presidential Election: An Insiders' View" will take place Monday, Sept. 17 at Hall Auditorium, and will feature former White House press secretaries Scott McClellen and Dee Dee Myers, both who have worked with administrations that draw from both ends of the political spectrum.

During the event Myers and McClellen will discuss issues especially pertinent to the 2008 presidential election, with a debate-style format that is yet to be established.

Myers worked for former president Bill Clinton during his first term, while McClellen worked for George W. Bush's administration from 2003-06.

Lana Rosenberg, chair of the University Lecture Series Committee, pointed out that Myers' and McClellen's unique positions in the White House will imbue their stories with an
interesting perspective.

"As both are former press secretaries, we thought they would be able to give interesting insights," Rosenberg said. "(Plus), we decided to bring-in one lecture-people that would represent both sides of the issues."

Rosenberg also pointed out that the committee wanted to bring in both a woman and a man for this type of discussion, and were pleased at the combination Myers and McClellen made up.

But insights aside, it was the political angle Rosenberg said the Lecture Committee was seeking.

"We were interested in doing something political due to the upcoming election," Rosenberg explained.

Despite the fact that the election is still more than a year away, Rosenberg said it was important to have these discussions early so that students are aware of the issues beforehand.

"I mean, let's be honest," Rosenberg said. "We're already being inundated with political stuff."

Longtime member of the Lecture Series Committee, Richard Little agrees.

"We definitely wanted to address the upcoming election," Little said. "Politics is first and foremost on people's minds."

Little pointed out former debates brought in by the Lecture Series, including last year's debate over the No Child Left Behind Act with former U.S. Senator Tom Daschle and former U.S. Secretary of Education, Rod Paige.

By inviting both Myers and McClellen, Little hopes to keep that same atmosphere of balanced opinions.

Myers was the first woman and the youngest person ever to fill the position of White House press secretary. She was later the liberal co-host of CNBC's "Equal Time," a political talk show. Myers is now writing and editing for various publications, as well as running her own business, Dee Dee Myers and Associates.

McClellen worked his way up through the White House ranks before becoming press secretary for President George W. Bush. Currently, he is the senior vice president for corporate and government affairs at HHB, Inc., as well as a political analyst and commentator on several television programs.

Little and Rosenberg said there are no overarching themes for the rest of the Lecture Series' guests, which include Daniel Kindlon, Rosalind Wiseman and Dan Patrick. However, Rosenberg said that the committee tries to bring a diverse group of speakers to campus-diverse in ethnicity, gender and ideas.

Tickets are free, but are required due to limited seating and will be available to the Miami community Sept. 12.

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