The political husband and wife team of James Carville and Mary Matalin will be the speakers at the 15th annual Convocation on Critical Issues on Sept 30.

Carville is a political strategist for the Democratic party.  He has served as campaign manager under former president Bill Clinton in his presidential election win in 1992 along. He has also hosted CNN’s political debate show, Crossfire.  He appears regularly appears as a commentator on several news channels and political talk shows and made guest appearances in several different television shows and movies.

Matalin is a political consultant for the Republican party. She has been involved in the current Bush administration as an assistant to president Bush and a counselor to vice president Cheney. She has also written several books including Letters to My Daughters and also hosted Crossfire. She is currently the head of a conservative publication called Threshold.
Unlike previous convocations, this convocation will be different because there are two speakers instead of one. The format has not officially been announced but former Regent Dan Boulware hopes to have a debate style convocation.
“I think and hope it will involve a back and forth debate that should be quite lively, informative and entertaining,” Boulware said.

Vice President of Institutional Advancement Dan Nicoson said that the convocations does focuses on critical issues and this year it is the upcoming election and having Carville and Matalin is very good.

“It just so happened this year that they were available and it is an election year, so I hope that would be one of the benefits,” Nicoson said.

Professor of government David Steiniche says that this will be useful convocation before the November elections.
“At the same event people will here liberal and conservative views,” said Steiniche. “I think that will be especially more useful for the independent voter and people who have not made up their minds.”

Boulware said that this convocation has stirred a lot of interest in the community and could draw a large crowd.

“The Convocation has always been intended to be a special experience for the students.  I think this could be a terrific Convocation and one they will particularly find of interest. I expect this year’s speakers will draw widespread interest from our region based upon the many comments I have already received. We could very well have a packed house. I really hope the students will take advantage of this opportunity,” Boulware said.

They along with their two daughters, Matalin and Emerson Carville, currently live in Virginia.

The Convocation of Critical Issues provides national speakers to the students of the campus in order for them to learn and help them become better students. Past speakers include Sam Donaldson, Steve Forbes and Bob Woodward.