Students hear differing perspectives on presidential race

Democrat Dee Dee Myers and Republican Jeb Bush '71 offer opposing views

October 11, 2012 --This year's Kaleidoscope Speakers Program brought two national figures from opposite ends of the political spectrum to campus this fall to talk with students about the choices the country faces in this year's U.S. presidential race.

Dee Dee Myers, former press secretary to President Clinton, spoke to students during All-School Meeting on Sept. 27, while PA alumnus Jeb Bush '71, former governor of Florida, spoke at the ASM on Oct. 3.

During her talk, Myers praised the role Democrats have historically played as advocates for civil rights, women's rights, environmental protection legislation and for various healthcare and education initiatives such as Social Security, Medicare and Head Start. "We do better when we don't leave people behind," she said. "We do better when we reach out and tap the talent of every single one of us."

In contrast, Bush championed the Republican party's view “that limited government as the founders envisioned it, where personal responsibility limits the demands on government, will create a virtuous cycle of prosperity and freedom that right now is at risk. Too many people in our country don’t have that chance to be able to pursue their dreams.” Republicans, he added, “believe in striving for a society where there is an equality of opportunity not a guarantee of results.”

Following their talks at ASM, both speakers spent additional time during the lunch hour at Paresky Commons taking questions from students.