James Carville

By LOIS BAKER
News Services Editor

Carville was invited to address the department's recognition ceremony in Slee Hall after students viewed the documentary "The War Room," an inside look at Clinton's 1992 presidential campaign headquarters and the roles of Carville and George Stephanopolis in winning that election.

Today Carville is Clinton's senior political advisor, author of best-selling books, husband of Republican strategist Mary Matlin, father of baby Mary Matlin Carville, and master at skewering the religious right, conservative Republicans, the national media and anything else that strikes his fancy.

In a press conference before the ceremony, Carville tackled a variety of issues, displaying his formidable wit in a down-home Louisiana drawl.

- On the national press and Whitewater: "I think this will go down as one of the sorriest periods in history....They (national newspapers and TV networks) told him (Clinton) to leave and he didn't leave. That's why there's all this 'stuff' out there. When the press elders decide it's time for you to go, you're supposed to go. If you don't, you anger them...."

- On his involvement in the next presidential election: "I'll be involved in some way, but there's probably another role for me other than eating cold pizza and drinking warm coke."

- On Jack Kemp as a potential presidential contender: "He's a remarkable man, a good man. He just happens to be a wrong man."

- On running for political office himself: "The only thing I run for is the state line....I wouldn't pass muster."

- On young people embarking on a political career: "Do it because you want to do something, rather than be somebody. Understand you are destined to be disillusioned. You need a strong reason and a strong gut."

In his speech to the communication graduates, Carville was a passionate advocate of the American political process. After poking fun at his own less-than-stellar college career‹"I finished LSU in four terms: Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon and Ford"‹he made a pitch to the graduating seniors and their families for civic involvement at any level.

"We've been told that everything that is political is rotten," he said. "With this constant harangue against everything political, it's no wonder surveys show that young people are becoming less involved in the process. But these decisions are going to be made whether you participate or not. The question is, are you going to be part of the process? In the long run, it's worth it, for the country and for you."

He asked them to approach the task as a skeptic, not a cynic or a Pollyanna. "Both are equally destructive," he said. "Any true skeptic would look at America today and find a lot more to be proud of than not."

Carville reminded the students that one of the United States' greatest strengths is the desire of its citizens to "do better," even when the odds are against it.

He cited Justin Morrill, Republican congressman from Vermont, as an example of perseverance in the face of great obstacles. Morrill introduced, and ultimately succeeded in passing, the Morrill Act of 1862, known as the Land Grant College Act, which provided grants of land to found educational institutions.

"The land-grant colleges have produced more Nobel Prize winners than any other entity," Carville said. "If Mr. Morrill could have that kind of vision, tenacity and commitment to make this country better, in the midst of the Civil War, during our nation's bleakest hour, is it too much to ask you to give this country some of your tenacity, your vision, your commitment?" n