Card Tells KSG Grads To Stay Involved

President George W. Bush's White House Chief of Staff, Andrew H. Card, Jr., encouraged graduates of the Kennedy School of Government (KSG) to get involved in the political process in his Class Day speech yesterday.

"We have a great democracy in the United States, and it's great because it allows for the broadest participation," Card told a filled ARCO Forum decorated with flags of countries from around the globe. "In our democracy, the greatest title you can have is politician."

Card described his lifetime of political service, telling the students they should all enter the field, whether as lobbyists or politicians or policy specialists.

"Public service really is the most noble of callings," Card said.

Card served in the Mass. State legislature for several years and ran for governor of Massachusetts in 1982. Since then he has worked for three presidential administrations and several presidential campaigns.

"There's something about a campaign that's very seductive," Card said. "I hope that you get turned on by working for campaigns."

Card grew up in the small town of Holbrook, Mass., where he said his family instilled in him the desire to learn about politics through discussions over dinner.

"We always had a healthy debate over public policy and politics," Card said. "We couldn't wait to get to the dinner table."

Card's grandmother was a suffragette, and had a major impact on Card going into public service for a career--in her dying words to Card she told him to stay involved.

"She told me that if people don't participate, our democracy will die," Card said. "She left me with a most wonderful curse--the curse of participation."

Card used his speech to encourage KSG graduates to enter the political field.

"How many of you say 'I want my son or daughter to be a politician?'" Card asked parents in the crowd. "I hope you all will."

While Card spoke in general about political participation, he also made references to areas that he thought could be improved in the American political system, such as shortening the process for getting officials approved by the U.S. Senate so that government can immediately "take on the personality and direction" of the new administration.

"In President Bush's administration, we will not have all nominees in place for almost a year," Card said. "The process is cumbersome, and delays the experience we have to have for management of the executive branch. I do think that process has to change."

Card also explained his respect for the office of the presidency--he got his start in national politics in President Ronald Reagan's administration and later served as Deputy Chief of Staff and Secretary of Transportation for President George H. W. Bush.

"No matter what your philosophical or political persuasion, the president represents all of us," Card said.

And Card said his call to public service went beyond ideological lines.

"Disagree with me, argue with me, run against me," Card said. "I want you to get involved. I want you to care."

Dean of the Kennedy School of Government (KSG) Joseph S. Nye introduced Card, joking about his one year at KSG while he was a Mass. State representative.

"Andrew Card is to the Kennedy School what Bill Gates is to Harvard College," Nye said. "He may not have a degree, but he's done everything the Kennedy School believes in."

And Card said he felt confident that today's graduates from KSG would use their education well.

"Every student I knew when I was here went on to do wonderful things, and I'm sure each of you will find similar success," Card said.

--Staff writer Imtiyaz H. Delawala can be reached at delawala@fas.harvard.edu