Albright visits campus on behalf of Obama
By Kim Puckett | News Editor
Madeleine Albright, former U.S. secretary of state and United Nations ambassador, represented the campaign for Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama with a speech on foreign policy on Sept. 19 at the University of Indianapolis Ruth Lilly Performance Hall.
Judy O’Bannon, former first lady of Indiana, and Christel DeHaan, philanthropist and founder of Christel House, introduced Albright at the crowded Christel DeHaan Fine Arts Center.
Albright served in the Clinton administration as the first female U.S. secretary of state. DeHaan said that Albright has made for strides for women everywhere.
“She is responsible for some of the cracks in that glass ceiling women have been knocking against,” DeHaan said.
Albright, who currently serves as Obama’s national security advisor, highlighted the major issues that the next U.S. president will have to deal with, as well as stressing the importance of young people voting.
“Very rarely have we seen a time when young people are so active and going to make a difference this election,” Albright said.
The first issue Albright presented as a priority for the next president was fighting terrorism without creating more terrorists. Albright also listed proliferation of nuclear weapons, restoring the good name of democracy and globalization as concerns.
“The main negative aspect of globalization is the growing division between the rich and the poor,” Albright said. “Even though there are less poor people in the world than before, the gap between the rich and the poor is getting bigger.”
Albright named energy and environmental policy and the global financial crisis as the final two main issues for the next U.S. president.
“Global warming is hard to talk about,” Albright said. “But it must be a priority for the next administration.”
Former secretary Albright also said that the two wars the United States is involved in, Iraq and Afghanistan, will be problems for the next president.
“Iraq is the greatest disaster in American foreign policy history,” Albright said. “It is worse than Vietnam in terms of unintended consequences.”
Albright said the rise in power of Iran, destabilization of the area and loss of American moral authority are all consequences of America’s involvement in Iraq.
Albright said she believes Obama should be elected as president because of his ability for listening, action and curiosity. She said his aptitude for entertaining divergent views and ideas makes him the best presidential candidate.
“I want a president that is confident, not certain,” Albright said.
Albright has worked for two Democratic presidents and said the first vote she ever cast was for democrat John Kennedy.
“The difference between democrats and republicans is a democrat believes that the government can be on your side,” Albright said.
Amanda Williams, president of the UIndy chapter of College Democrats, worked with the National Director for Students for the Barack Obama campaign in order to set up the visit from Albright.
“We wanted to have an event to get the name of College Democrats out there,” Williams said. “We also wanted to educate students about the upcoming election.”
Voters must be registered by Oct. 6 to be eligible for the general election on Nov. 4.
