Donna Brazile at the Wisconsin Women in Government Dinner
The pulse of the nation
The pulse of the nation
By Jonathan Gramling
Part 2 of 2
Donna Brazile, the speaker at Wisconsin Women in Government’s 22nd annual banquet on May 21, is a clear-
minded political strategist, commentator and educator who knows what’s what and doesn’t beat around the bush
too much to say what she means. While others may shirk from the political battlefield, Brazile relishes the fight and
savors the victory.
As a member of the Democratic National Committee and a CNN commentator, Brazile has been in a unique
position to observe the social movement that has swelled and began to peak with Barack Obama being elected
President of the United States. And in her view, Brazile feels that President Obama is keeping to his pledge for
change.
“I think the President has kept his promise to lead the country with a different tone and a different voice and
to reach out to people across the aisle as well as put forward bold policy proposals that help all people including
minorities, women and the poor,” Brazile said during a phone interview with The Capital City Hues. “I think he is off
to a great start in his first 121 days. I’ve enjoyed watching him lead. And I gave him high marks at the 100 day
mark because I believe the President has kept many of his promises in addition to passing the most ambitious
economic recovery package in history. He’s also crafted a budget plan that lays the groundwork for long-term
prosperity by dealing with some of our most important issues such as education, alternative energy and
healthcare. He’s followed through on his commitments to the middle class and enacted tax breaks for 95 percent
of working Americans and making college more affordable. I think he has put us on a course to change direction
in this country to address some of our most crucial issues. But I still believe that the President has a lot more to do
over the next 1,300 days of his first term.”
Part 2 of 2
Donna Brazile, the speaker at Wisconsin Women in Government’s 22nd annual banquet on May 21, is a clear-
minded political strategist, commentator and educator who knows what’s what and doesn’t beat around the bush
too much to say what she means. While others may shirk from the political battlefield, Brazile relishes the fight and
savors the victory.
As a member of the Democratic National Committee and a CNN commentator, Brazile has been in a unique
position to observe the social movement that has swelled and began to peak with Barack Obama being elected
President of the United States. And in her view, Brazile feels that President Obama is keeping to his pledge for
change.
“I think the President has kept his promise to lead the country with a different tone and a different voice and
to reach out to people across the aisle as well as put forward bold policy proposals that help all people including
minorities, women and the poor,” Brazile said during a phone interview with The Capital City Hues. “I think he is off
to a great start in his first 121 days. I’ve enjoyed watching him lead. And I gave him high marks at the 100 day
mark because I believe the President has kept many of his promises in addition to passing the most ambitious
economic recovery package in history. He’s also crafted a budget plan that lays the groundwork for long-term
prosperity by dealing with some of our most important issues such as education, alternative energy and
healthcare. He’s followed through on his commitments to the middle class and enacted tax breaks for 95 percent
of working Americans and making college more affordable. I think he has put us on a course to change direction
in this country to address some of our most crucial issues. But I still believe that the President has a lot more to do
over the next 1,300 days of his first term.”
| Donna Brazile, a CNN comentator, was the national campaign manager for former vice president Al Gore’s 2000 presidential campaign. |
Brazile also sees the present, this social movement, as a new era in which many of the “isms” of the past will be shattered and allow women, people of color
and others to reach their full potential and contribute fully to America.
“It’s so important during this season of hope and season of change, change that you’ve created, that we understand that the future belongs to us,” Brazile
told those at the WWIG banquet. “And it is time that we removed any walls, any barriers, and any doors that block us from achieving the success that we all know
we are capable of. Some of my friends say often that we must wait, wait our turn as if 233 years is not long enough. And I can tell you as someone who sat on the
podium on that cold, cold day back in January to witness history with Barack Obama being sworn in as President — yes the first time — I can tell you the only
thing that was going through my mind was that I would live long enough one day to see a woman as well being sworn in as President of the United States.”
Brazile noted the key roles that women are playing in the Obama Administration. “I’m delighted every day when I see Governor Sebelius now Secretary Sebelius
[of Health and Human Services], Senator Clinton, now Secretary Clinton [of State] and Governor Napolitano now Secretary Napolitano [of Homeland Security],”
Brazile said. “I’m so happy we have Lisa Jackson over at EPA. She’s my home girl from New Orleans and if anyone knows anything about cleaning up, she knows
how to clean up the mess. This is our season. We now have a president in the White House that we don’t have to fight just to be at the table. We’re at the table.
We have a government that understands the importance of women being at the table. I don’t have to remind you that’s important. And every time we look around
and say ‘Well we don’t have enough.’ Let me tell you what you do. You bring in a folding chair. Don’t wait for somebody to give you a table or a chair. Bring in
your own. Create your own movement.”
And before Judge Sonia Sotomayor was nominated to be the next U.S. Supreme Court justice, Brazile predicted it would happen. “I feel like I am part of a
new history, a new chapter in our country’s history,” Brazile proclaimed. “And I’m confident that sometime in the near future — it might happen tomorrow, it
might happen on Monday — President Obama will put someone on that Supreme Court to replace Justice Souter who looks like the majority of people in this
country. Yes that Donna Brazile would like to see President Obama put a woman on the Supreme Court. I’m sorry folks, but one is a token number. One is window
dressing. We need 2-5 more women on the Supreme Court. Besides we look good in robes and God knows we look good in robes and slippers.”
Brazile looks at these recent appointments in the Obama administration as just the beginning of the movement. “This is our moment,” Brazile emphasized.
“And together, just not here in Wisconsin, but all over the country, we should let our light shine. We should begin to usher in this new era by daring people who
have been afraid to move forward to go ahead and go fast. Don’t wait. Don’t wait for 2020 or 2015. The time is now, especially for so many of our young girls,
struggling to find their own identity, struggling to find their own voice, struggling with their looks, with their own skills to know if they can fit. It’s time for us to be
their role models, to be their inspiration, yes, to help lead them through this wonderful new era. This is our moment and our time to give them their own sense of
a future and let them know that they too can make a difference in the lives of others.”
While Brazile feels that much has been accomplished — noting that more women than ever are serving in leadership roles in the U.S. Congress — she feels
that this change for women, people of color and others is transitory unless fundamental change happens.
“We shouldn’t be satisfied with just incremental changes that we’ve seen over the last 2-20 years,” Brazile said. “We need to fight for everything to make sure
we achieve full equality, not just the kind of equality that expires in two years and requires 18 federal agencies to enforce, but the equality that truly makes us
equal in this society and equal in the law of the land. And we can achieve that because so much of the work has already been done. And we have not
acknowledged all of the progress we’ve made.”
“But I want to say this,” Brazile continued. “Dr. King is still the guiding force of my life. I read his books, his sermons each and every day because they give
me inspiration. On the night before he was assassinated and taken from us over 41 years ago, Dr. King had a vision and he saw the Promised Land. And he said ‘I
may not get there with you, but we as a people will get there.’ And he wasn’t just referring to Black people or poor people or the garbage workers that he was
organizing down in Memphis. He was talking about the American people. And he said we would get there. My friends, that Promised Land is now right before our
very eyes. And the question and challenge that I will leave with you tonight is ‘Will you begin to take the steps to get to the Promised Land, to go where you have
never been before and take someone with you?’ Are you committed to eliminating racism, sexism and homophobia? Are you committed to environmental
justice? Are you committed to education for all? Are you committed to peace and equality? Are you prepared to fight for justice? If you are, then you are ready
to lay the foundation for the Promised Land for it will become the United States of America of the future.”
Brazile closed her speech by urging those gathered to become a part of this new movement. “Keep soaring and let your light shine and lead us to the
Promised Land.”
and others to reach their full potential and contribute fully to America.
“It’s so important during this season of hope and season of change, change that you’ve created, that we understand that the future belongs to us,” Brazile
told those at the WWIG banquet. “And it is time that we removed any walls, any barriers, and any doors that block us from achieving the success that we all know
we are capable of. Some of my friends say often that we must wait, wait our turn as if 233 years is not long enough. And I can tell you as someone who sat on the
podium on that cold, cold day back in January to witness history with Barack Obama being sworn in as President — yes the first time — I can tell you the only
thing that was going through my mind was that I would live long enough one day to see a woman as well being sworn in as President of the United States.”
Brazile noted the key roles that women are playing in the Obama Administration. “I’m delighted every day when I see Governor Sebelius now Secretary Sebelius
[of Health and Human Services], Senator Clinton, now Secretary Clinton [of State] and Governor Napolitano now Secretary Napolitano [of Homeland Security],”
Brazile said. “I’m so happy we have Lisa Jackson over at EPA. She’s my home girl from New Orleans and if anyone knows anything about cleaning up, she knows
how to clean up the mess. This is our season. We now have a president in the White House that we don’t have to fight just to be at the table. We’re at the table.
We have a government that understands the importance of women being at the table. I don’t have to remind you that’s important. And every time we look around
and say ‘Well we don’t have enough.’ Let me tell you what you do. You bring in a folding chair. Don’t wait for somebody to give you a table or a chair. Bring in
your own. Create your own movement.”
And before Judge Sonia Sotomayor was nominated to be the next U.S. Supreme Court justice, Brazile predicted it would happen. “I feel like I am part of a
new history, a new chapter in our country’s history,” Brazile proclaimed. “And I’m confident that sometime in the near future — it might happen tomorrow, it
might happen on Monday — President Obama will put someone on that Supreme Court to replace Justice Souter who looks like the majority of people in this
country. Yes that Donna Brazile would like to see President Obama put a woman on the Supreme Court. I’m sorry folks, but one is a token number. One is window
dressing. We need 2-5 more women on the Supreme Court. Besides we look good in robes and God knows we look good in robes and slippers.”
Brazile looks at these recent appointments in the Obama administration as just the beginning of the movement. “This is our moment,” Brazile emphasized.
“And together, just not here in Wisconsin, but all over the country, we should let our light shine. We should begin to usher in this new era by daring people who
have been afraid to move forward to go ahead and go fast. Don’t wait. Don’t wait for 2020 or 2015. The time is now, especially for so many of our young girls,
struggling to find their own identity, struggling to find their own voice, struggling with their looks, with their own skills to know if they can fit. It’s time for us to be
their role models, to be their inspiration, yes, to help lead them through this wonderful new era. This is our moment and our time to give them their own sense of
a future and let them know that they too can make a difference in the lives of others.”
While Brazile feels that much has been accomplished — noting that more women than ever are serving in leadership roles in the U.S. Congress — she feels
that this change for women, people of color and others is transitory unless fundamental change happens.
“We shouldn’t be satisfied with just incremental changes that we’ve seen over the last 2-20 years,” Brazile said. “We need to fight for everything to make sure
we achieve full equality, not just the kind of equality that expires in two years and requires 18 federal agencies to enforce, but the equality that truly makes us
equal in this society and equal in the law of the land. And we can achieve that because so much of the work has already been done. And we have not
acknowledged all of the progress we’ve made.”
“But I want to say this,” Brazile continued. “Dr. King is still the guiding force of my life. I read his books, his sermons each and every day because they give
me inspiration. On the night before he was assassinated and taken from us over 41 years ago, Dr. King had a vision and he saw the Promised Land. And he said ‘I
may not get there with you, but we as a people will get there.’ And he wasn’t just referring to Black people or poor people or the garbage workers that he was
organizing down in Memphis. He was talking about the American people. And he said we would get there. My friends, that Promised Land is now right before our
very eyes. And the question and challenge that I will leave with you tonight is ‘Will you begin to take the steps to get to the Promised Land, to go where you have
never been before and take someone with you?’ Are you committed to eliminating racism, sexism and homophobia? Are you committed to environmental
justice? Are you committed to education for all? Are you committed to peace and equality? Are you prepared to fight for justice? If you are, then you are ready
to lay the foundation for the Promised Land for it will become the United States of America of the future.”
Brazile closed her speech by urging those gathered to become a part of this new movement. “Keep soaring and let your light shine and lead us to the
Promised Land.”