Our new podcast series, Politics in the Sunshine, is moderated by former Republican Party of Florida Chair and Florida State University adjunct faculty member Al Cardenas. Our first guest is former Florida Governor Jeb Bush who was first elected to office in 1998, serving two terms in office through January 2007.
This 30-minute interview covered various topics, including civility in the political arena, community leadership, and public policy issues like education related to the future workforce. The Politics in the Sunshine podcast follows IOP@FSUs ‘Celebrating Civility’ four-part, virtual event series with speakers from all political backgrounds, all over the country, celebrating the importance of civic engagement, political participation, and civil discourse in contemporary American Politics.
When asked to give advice to students starting out in public service and elected office, Gov. Bush shared, “Don’t aspire to be a career politician … I always found that the best way to serve is to have something to contribute … Be successful in business. Be successful as a mentor. Be successful running a not-for-profit … Be successful in life’s endeavors … All those things really matter because then you can contribute. You don’t have to start at the bottom and work your way up … Pursue your life as you see fit and then at some point, there may become an opportunity to serve … because then you have something to offer people beyond just being a career politician.”
“We are thrilled to announce our new Politics in the Sunshine podcast, which furthers the Institute of Politics’ mission to promote political engagement by students and citizens,” said FSU College of Social Sciences and Public Policy Dean, Tim Chapin. “Political and public policy discussions in various platforms - such as this podcast and the IOP’s Celebrating Civility webinar series - allow for robust debate on important issues of today.”
To listen to the first Politics in the Sunshine podcast, please click here.