Athens, Ga. – Ready or not, the 2008 political race is almost here. And on Oct. 22 Paul E. Begala, political contributor on CNN’s “The Situation Room” and former counselor to President Bill Clinton, will be commenting on that race in a speech titled “Politics 2008: Serious Business or Show Business for Ugly People?” His presentation will take place at the University of Georgia Chapel at 7 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.
Currently on the UGA campus serving as the Carl E. Sanders Political Leadership Scholar at the School of Law, Begala is a former top-ranking White House official, political consultant, corporate communications strategist and university professor who has spent his career at the intersection of politics, policy and the press. He first entered the national political scene after his consulting firm, Carville & Begala, aided Bill Clinton in his successful run for the White House in 1992. After the election, he served as counselor to the president, helping to define and to defend the administration’s agenda.
“We are very privileged to have Paul Begala take the time to speak about the upcoming political race. His own personal experience in the political arena gives him a unique, first-hand perspective on the ins and outs of running a campaign. I anticipate that his insights will be very thought provoking,” director of the Carl Vinson Institute of Government Steve Wrigley said.
As well as currently teaching a course on law and policy, politics and the press at the School of Law, Begala also serves as Research Professor of Government at Georgetown University and is a political analyst and commentator for CNN, where he previously co-hosted “Crossfire.” A native of Texas, Begala earned his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Texas, where he taught before working at the White House.
Begala’s presentation is sponsored by the University of Georgia Carl Vinson Institute of Government, the School of Law, Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, the Honors Program, the Office of the Vice President for Instruction and the School of Public and International Affairs.
