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Andrew Card Kicks Off "Talking Politics" Series

Andrew H. Card, Jr., who served as White House chief of staff from 2000-06, was on campus April 11 to present the inaugural lecture in the “Talking Politics” series. Sponsored by the UMass Civic Initiative run by the Donahue Institute and the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, the series is aimed at bringing a diverse group of working politicians to campus to expand student understanding of the challenges and rewards of political life.

Although Card's theme was“The American Political Landscape: Looking Towards 2008,” students and others switched the focus to Iraq. Several protesters carrying signs were on hand, and at least two men were ejected from the event for unveiling a sign, deemed too big under university picketing codes, stating Card's propaganda was to have "people killed for profit."

Card, a native of Holbrook, Mass., has been involved in politics for over 30 years and was the second longest serving chief of staff in White House history. He challenged students to think about the meaning of citizenship. "When I hear some of you say, no I won't help or no I won't answer the call, it pains me. Being a citizen is an obligation. It is an honor."

In the question-and-answer period, Card was forthright, telling the crowd that he suggested to the President that he should both fire and keep former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. Stating that his conscience is clear about Iraq, he also noted that the President knows much more about the situation than the general public does.

Card has served three presidents. For George H.W. Bush he was assistant to the president and deputy chief of staff before being appointed Secretary of Transportation. During that time he coordinated disaster relief efforts in the wake of Hurricane Andrew. Card directed Bush’s transition office during the shift to the Clinton administration. For Ronald Reagan Card was special assistant to the president for intergovernmental affairs and subsequently deputy assistant to the president and director of intergovernmental affairs, serving as liaison to governors, statewide elected officials, state legislators, mayors and other elected officials.

From 1999 until joining George W. Bush’s administration, Card was General Motors’ vice president of government relations. Prior to that he was president and chief executive officer of the American Automobile Manufacturers Association (AAMA), the trade association whose members were Chrysler Corporation, Ford Motor Company and General Motors Corporation. The AAMA dissolved in December 1998.

Card served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 1975 to 1983. In 1982, he was named Legislator of the Year by the National Republican Legislators Association and received the Distinguished Legislator Award from the Massachusetts Municipal Association.

Card earned his bachelor of science degree in engineering from the University of South Carolina. He attended the United States Merchant Marine Academy and the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and has received numerous honorary degrees and awards.

April 12, 2007