Mike McCurry

Former Presidential Press Secretary Mike McCurry Delivers Stukes Lecture At Erskine College

Veteran political strategist Mike McCurry, press secretary to President Bill Clinton from 1995 to 1998, delivered the annual Stukes Lecture at Erskine College today, entitled, "Politics and Public Information in a Dangerous New World."

"In the aftermath of Sept. 11 it makes no sense to go back to the old ways," McCurry said. "This is our moment of reawakening and renewal."

Citing the spirit of bipartisanship evident in the wake of last month’s terrorist attacks on the United States, McCurry challenged politicians, members of the press, and American citizens to find better ways of conducting the country’s business, "to resolve complex issues and move ahead."

McCurry decried the way in which national political debate is typically presented in what he called the "genre of aggravated falsified conflict," with opponents taking black and white positions. "All important issues require shades of gray, not just black and white," he said.

Calling for the creation of a new ethic of journalism and a new ethic of political discourse, McCurry said Americans should "spend more time listening to each other before crafting that five-second sound bite that will get us on the news."

McCurry noted that in the wake of the terrorist attacks American politicians seem to be "figuring out how to preserve a modicum of civility." But in addition to civility, there must be honesty.

"Credibility counts," McCurry said. "Telling the truth matters. Being straight with each other is important."

Americans must "strengthen the institutions that are at the heart of what terrorists attack," McCurry said.

During a question and answer session following the lecture, McCurry advised Erskine students to study history and attempt to understand the world of Islam. "Getting away from television and getting deep into the library is what I recommend," he said.

Prior to his term as Clinton’s press secretary, McCurry, who now heads the communications software company Grassroots Enterprise, Inc., served as spokesman for the Department of State (1993-1995) and director of communications for the Democratic National Committee (1988-1990).

McCurry has held leadership roles in several national campaigns, and remains a principal of Public Strategies Group, LLC, a Washington, D.C.-based public affairs and strategic communications consulting firm, where he has practiced since leaving the White House.

He also serves on boards or advisory councils for Share Our Strength, the Center for International Private Enterprise, the Council for Excellence in Government, the Junior Statesmen Foundation, the Wesley Theological Seminary, and the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University.

The son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Joe McCurry of Abbeville, McCurry received a bachelor of arts degree from Princeton University in 1976 and a master of arts degree from Georgetown University in 1985. His father is a 1951 graduate of Erskine College and serves on the Alumni Association Board of Directors.

Dr. James Gettys, McDonald-Boswell Professor of History at Erskine, introduced McCurry and noted that he had refused an honorarium for his speech, requesting that the amount be donated instead to Erskine’s McCain Library for the purchase of books on history and political science.

The Joseph T. Stukes Lecture Series brings a distinguished lecturer in history to Erskine College each year. This fund was established by students and colleagues of Dr. Stukes, who served as Professor of History (1966-74) and Vice President for Academic Affairs (1966-71) at Erskine College. He has held visiting professorships at several institutions, including the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga; Franklin College, Lugano, Switzerland; and Southern Illinois University, Carbondale.

Mike McCurry (center) with his parents