Mara Liasson of NPR Addresses the Scarsdale Forum

NPR’s Mara Liasson returned to Scarsdale on Sunday December 12th to address the Scarsdale Forum at the Scarsdale Woman’s Club. Liasson, a well-known voice on NPR’s All Things Considered and Morning Edition can also be seen on the Fox News Channel were she is a political contributor. She graduated from Scarsdale High School in 1973 and spent the following day there speaking with current students.

Clearly at ease in front of an audience, Liasson spoke without any notes giving her observations on the political scene in a talk called “A View From Washington.”

She discussed politics, and drew laughs when she explained that the word politics is derived from “poly”, meaning “many” and “tics,” meaning blood-sucking insects. Discussing the recent tax compromise, she told the group that it might be a better deal for Democrats than it appeared, as it will extend unemployment benefits and tax cuts for the middle class. She recounted her surprise when President Bill Clinton appeared in the briefing room when Obama was announcing the compromise. Clinton, who Liasson called “the ultimate Huckster,” clearly enjoyed taking the stage to let the press know that this was a great deal.

Liasson went on to discuss the recent election and noted that this was the third consecutive midterm election when the President lost the support of Congress. In her view, the election results display real volatility for Democrats as Republicans swept the Midwest and will control redistricting.

Despite the losses, Liasson contends that there remain good opportunities for Obama to work in a bipartisan fashion to define the fundamental role of government, correct our financial system and address education. In her view, Obama will need to educate the public about how we can cut the deficit and bring constituents into the decision-making process.

When asked about the leading contenders for the Republican nomination in 2012, Liasson listed Mitt Romney and Sarah Palin and said that any Democrat who challenged Obama for the nomination would risk alienating the African-American vote.

She called Clinton the best politician of his generation and advised Obama, who tends to be introverted and cerebral, to co-opt more of his colleagues in efforts to win bipartisan support for his agenda.

Liasson was poised, eloquent and insightful and we thank her and the Scarsdale Forum for arranging this informative afternoon.

The Sunday Speaker Series programs are open to the public, free of charge and are underwritten in part by a generous grant from the Irving J. Sloan Education Fund, made possible by the Liz Claiborne-Arthur Ortenberg Foundation.