Miami Student

Issue date: 4/11/08 Section: Front Page

Former White House chief of staff for President George W. Bush's administration discuss his views on Iraq Thursday evening at Hall Auditorium.

Students barely filled half the seats in Miami University's Hall Auditorium Thursday evening as former Bush Whitehouse chief of staff Andrew (Andy) Card spoke on the nature of the presidency.

While some anticipated an election-oriented speech, including members of College Democrats who distributed anti-McCain flyers outside the auditorium, Card spoke only briefly on the election-focusing instead on his personal experiences within the White House and his relationship with the president, particularly in relation to events surrounding the attacks of September 11, 2001.

"(September 11) was so extreme and I think that focusing on that … he gave a better look at who (Bush) is as a person during the most stressful time he could have had," Jonathan McNabb, co-chairman of Miami's college republicans, said.

Card began his White House career under President Ronald Reagan. In 1988, Card was made deputy chief of staff under George H.W. Bush and was eventually appointed as the 11th secretary of transportation. Card served in the current Bush administration from 2000 until 2006 when he resigned after saying the White House was trying to "demonstrate change."

"I've watched three presidents up close and very personal, and all three have had to make tough decisions, and they weren't always liked, and they weren't always understood, and they weren't always respected," Card said.

During a question and answer session after his speech, Card expressed doubt that a Clinton or Obama administration would be able to pull troops out of Iraq as quickly as they plan.

"I just don't think it's practical-I also think it's irresponsible," Card said.

Card also said that when it comes to decisions, including those pertaining to Iraq, the president has information that the general public lacks-and is therefore the only suitable person to make such decisions.

"The president only makes tough decisions," Card said. "And some of the decisions are so tough they are beyond comprehension unless you have to make them. So it requires something that we don't ask the candidates about: do you have the courage to be lonely?"

Continued...

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