Athens, Ga. – Paul Begala, political commentator and former counselor to President Bill Clinton, will speak at the University of Georgia Oct. 20. His talk, entitled “Show Business for Ugly People: Why Politics Matters,” is at 3 p.m. in the Chapel, with a reception immediately following at the Russell Library. Both events are free and open to the public.
While on campus, Begala also will meet with students from the School of Law and the Honors Program. In 2007, he served as the Carl E. Sanders Political Leadership Scholar at the law school and taught a course that examined how the media affects law, politics and public policy.
“Paul Begala has been a strong and consistent supporter of the Foundation Fellows Program and the law school,” said Jere Morehead, senior vice president for academic affairs and provost. “I am deeply appreciative of his interest in and dedication to our students.”
Begala serves as a political contributor for CNN, appearing frequently on CNN’s The Situation Room as well as other programs on all CNN networks.
Begala first entered the national political scene after the consulting firm he and fellow Democratic strategist James Carville started helped Clinton get elected in 1992. Serving in the Clinton administration as counselor to the president, he was a close adviser to Clinton and helped define and defend the administration’s agenda.
After leaving the Clinton administration, Begala joined Georgetown University as a research professor of government and public policy. He is currently an affiliated professor of public policy at Georgetown’s Public Policy Institute.
Begala is the author of several best-selling books, including Is Our Children Learning?: The Case Against George W. Bush and Buck Up, Suck Up and Come Back When You Foul Up. He also helped John F. Kennedy Jr. launch George magazine and wrote the “Capital Hillbilly” column.
A native of Texas, Begala received his bachelor’s degree in government and his law degree from the University of Texas at Austin, where he was also the student body president.
Begala’s talk is sponsored by the Office of the Provost, the Office of the Vice President for Public Service and Outreach, the School of Law, the Honors Program and the Carl Vinson Institute of Government.
