“The most pressing issue in politics is the need for infusion of values into both domestic and foreign policy,” ABC News Chief Congressional Correspondant Cokie Roberts said in a speech Wednesday night.
Mrs. Roberts and husband Steve Roberts, a professor at George Washington University, analyzed the Washington political scene and offered their opinions on the future of America.
Bush’s recent call for a Freedom Corps, a group of volunteers that would work both domestically and abroad to introduce concepts such as liberty and equality, shows the government’s commitment to fostering understanding, according to Mrs. Roberts.
“It is important to go to Muslim countries and resolve issues of human dignity. We must show these countries that America is not what they think it is,” Mrs. Roberts said.
Mr. Roberts also noted that it is important to work at changing culture within the United States.
“The desire to help each other should be encouraged within the country. Americans must remember that we are all in this together,” Mr. Roberts said.
Mr. Roberts attributed the strengthening of values in the months after Sept. 11 to the effectiveness of the Bush administration.
“Growing patriotism and a sense of community service are due in part to the desire of the country to see Bush succeed,” Mr. Roberts said.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Roberts praised Bush for rising to lead the country in the face of a national emergency. “A year ago, you could have gotten good money on a bet that Bush didn’t know where Afghanistan was. Today, any doubts about Bush’s ability to assume a leadership role have disappeared,” Mrs. Roberts said.
However, Mr. Roberts cautioned against unconditional acceptance of government policy. “Although we have seen many positive things, we should continue to ask questions,” Mr. Roberts said.
According to Mr. Roberts, the public should question the government’s definition of victory, given that the war on terrorism is far less clear-cut than past wars.
He urged people to question how much the war is going to cost. “Bush has promised to increase homeland security, weapons technology, farm subsidies, military salaries and perscription drug coverage without giving the people a figure. This will almost surely lead to deficit,” Mr. Roberts said.
Despite these issues, people should continue to have faith in the government and American ideals, according to Mrs. Roberts.
Mr. and Mrs. Roberts’ speech was the third annual Casey-McIlvane Lecture, presented in conjunction with the University Library. The speech was broadcast live over the Internet, making it the first live webcast in Georgetown history.
