Terry McAuliffe, Hillary & the Las Vegas World Affairs Council

Clubs & Assns, Politics | Sandra | March 7, 2007 at 17:23

Benjamin Duchek of the Las Vegas World Affairs Council has done it again. Guest speaker Terry McAuliffe, chair of Hillary Clinton‘s presidential campaign, sharing political war stories with 30 lucky members of the LVWAC at the Steak House, Four Seasons Hotel.

What a coup! McAuliffe is a guy usually found speaking to groups of 100’s or 1000’s. We were given a special experience usually afforded the few who can pay thousands a plate to be up close and personal. McAuliffe, author of New York Times bestseller, "What A Party! My Life Among Democrats: Presidents, Candidates, Donors, Activists, Alligators, and other Wild Animals," entertained and informed the intimate group with sharp criticism of Democratic political missteps in the ’00 and ’04 presidential campaigns. His hard analysis was softened by humorous and captivating vignettes of his own life in politics for the last 15 years.

The book is his story, but so many of the tales are inseparably intertwined with the lives and destiny of the Clintons, close friends for many years. The former DNC chairman is a man who is clearly used to getting results, electric with energy, and powerful in his message. He promises a positive presidential campaign but not a weak one; there will be a fight in ’08, but a fight on the issues. His perception is that the American people want strength in a president, and he pledged that the Hillary campaign won’t be slow to respond to attack and will respond with force. He believes Americans don’t mind seeing a candidate knocked down, but they want to see her get back up again. They figure "If you don’t defend yourself, then you won’t defend them." He has the inside scoop and knows the personal side of Hilary, a side he is anxious to share, both through his book and his extensive and intensive speaking circuit. He says Vote for Hillary, it’s as simple as that.

I say kudos to Benjamin and thanks for another great experience with the Las Vegas World Affairs Council. These events belie the myth that Las Vegas has no culture or intellect. If you have any interest in the world outside the casino or further away than Henderson, here is the chance to meet others with like mind. The LVWAC holds a variety of programs: political, economic, cultural, educational – always stimulating and guaranteed to broaden your world-view. I remain convinced it’s the best bang for your buck in town.