Tufts Hosts Bipartisan Forum on Governing Post-Election

On November 2 a prominent Republic and Democrat hosted a conversation at Tufts University about how members of both parties can work together and move forward after a bitter election.

Bill Richardson, an alumnus of Tufts University and the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, served as Governor of New Mexico, United States Ambassador to the United Nations and Secretary of Energy during the Clinton administration. He chaired the 2004 Democratic National Convention here in Boston. Richardson also ran for president as a Democrat in 2008.

“We’re here to promote this concept of working together, which this campaign has just deteriorated,” Richardson said, according to an article in the Tufts Daily. “Any opportunity I have to appear in public and talk about getting things done, I take it.”

Andy Card, a Massachusetts native, served as Chief of Staff to President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2006. He also served as Secretary of Transportation in the cabinet of President George H.W. Bush. He ran for Governor of Massachusetts in 1992 as a Republican.

“The president should work to heal the wounds that are always there after an election,” he said. “Capitol Hill will be a difficult place to find healing, but first the president has to reach out and offer it.”

Medford Mayor Stephanie Muccini Burke attended the event.

From left: Tisch College Dean Alan Solomont, Richardson, Mayor Burke, and Card.

From left: Tisch College Dean Alan Solomont, Richardson, and Card. Both photos by Alonso Nichols.