The Green New Deal, immigration, the arrival of Amazon to Virginia, and who might make the best candidates for president were some of the hot-button topics discussed Monday night at George Mason University’s Founders Hall auditorium in Arlington, Va., during the Schar School of Policy and Government’s Haynes Lecture Series.
The guest of honor was former Virginia governor Terry McAuliffe, a possible presidential candidate and a Distinguished Visiting Professor in the Schar School.
McAuliffe (D-Va.) served as governor of Virginia from 2014-2018, where he worked to expand Medicaid, increase voter rights, and make the Commonwealth of Virginia a more inclusive state, all topics of conversation during the 90-minute discussion before a live audience of about 100. The event was moderated by Julie Carey, the Northern Virginia Bureau Chief for NBC4.
Carey started the event asking the question on everyone’s mind: Will McAuliffe run for president?
“I think it’s important that we have a governor in the race,” McAuliffe said, neither confirming or denying. “Governors are on the front lines every day. It is an executive-type job, and I think that’s what you need in someone as president.”
McAuliffe eventually promised a decision in early April.
While discussing the issues a president would face, McAuliffe listed his priorities as taking action against climate change, addressing the crumbling national infrastructure, and the character of the current president.
At a reception after the discussion, McAuliffe commended the Schar School for hosting events such as the Haynes Lecture.
“This was a great conversation and question-and-answer, and I wish other places around the globe would do this,” he said. “This is democracy in action, and the Schar School is always at the forefront.”
The namesake of the series, Schar School dean emeritus Kingsley Haynes, agreed, adding, “I like how the [lecture] series focuses on activities relevant to Virginia.”
A former gubernatorial campaign worker and Master's in Public Policy student, Najma Mohamud, thanked McAuliffe for his work in Virginia and was awarded with a Governor’s Recognition Coin. “I am very honored to receive this symbol of respect from someone I admire so much,” said Mohamud.