A Seat at The Table: Donna Brazile and Kelly Ayotte

Heated debates and bitter faces are what come to mind when you hear of a Democrat and a Republican speaking in the same room. However, it wasn’t that way Monday night at A Seat at The Table: Women in Leadership & Civic Engagement.

The event took place Monday night at UWM featuring two prominent political figures, Donna Brazile and Kelly Ayotte. During the event, the two came together to talk about civic engagement and the importance of leadership, specifically among women.     

Brazile is a Democratic political strategist, campaign manager and educator. Brazile has been seen on almost every major cable network, such as CNN, MSNBC, HBO, ABC, CBS, and now on FOX News. Ayotte is a Republican politician and was New Hampshire’s first female attorney general, serving from 2004-2009. Ayotte was also an elected senator representing New Hampshire, where she served from 2011-2017.

The two agreed on all major talking points, and it was less of a debate and more of an uplifting discussion. Ayotte and Brazile both believe that it’s important that women start taking more control in the political field. They want more women running for office and say that there isn’t enough running in the field.    

“We all need to run, not just as Democrats, but also as Republicans. We need to look at ourselves; we need to stop telling ourselves we are not qualified,” Brazile says.

In recent news, we have seen that this is possible as the United States has broken records in numbers of new Congresswomen sworn in. Currently, there are five women running for the presidency for the 2020 election.

Brazile and Ayotte shared their frustrations on the double standard they see between men and women when it comes to taking on new jobs. Ayotte shared the comments other women have made to her during her time with the Senate and being Attorney General.  

“Women will say, often too much, ‘Oh I need this extra degree’ or ‘Oh if I just had one more qualification I would be qualified,’ and men look themselves in the mirror and say, ‘I’m qualified, I’m going to go for that.’”  

The two political figures are advocates for civic engagement and want to see more women in these roles. They both agree that women deserve more respect, and say it’s time for people to recognize that.

Ayotte also shared her story on how she got her position at the Attorney General’s office. Ayotte explains that she actually felt unqualified and really didn’t have much experience. She was working as a homicide prosecutor for the attorney general’s office. She then had an interview with the governor’s legal office, to take position as his legal counsel, but instead requested a position as attorney general. She was turned down for the position of attorney general at first. She was hired for the position as legal counsel, and then deputy attorney general and eventually attorney general. She was appointed by the same governor who declined her offer when she first requested the position.  

Media in Politics

Brazile has recently taken a position on Fox news as a political contributor and feels that the media have “lost it.” She feels that politicians have lost their ability to talk to one another and are quick to point fingers at one another.  She has no problems with FOX; in fact she feels honored to be there.

“I love it; I love being a part of a network that allows me to be who I am, and say what I say, because I felt who I am and what I believe in. I have no problems,” she said.

Brazile mentions that she wants to be able to listen more, to learn actively and to have better interaction and engagement with other people. She’s proud to be a part of FOX because she wants to be a part of the “congregation.”

“I am a partisan with a point of view, but I never look at the first person in front of me or across from me as my enemy,” Brazile says.  

Brazile mentions that in a world full of punditry she has to learn how to use her voice in a calm manner and be able to speak with facts.

“If you wait your turn, you will be waiting forever,” Brazile says as she refers to the importance of taking initiative as a woman.  

Ayotte feels that information is being obtained in sound bites, and political camps are more divided in the nation. She also feels that it is great that Donna Brazile decided to join FOX, and sometimes it is needed to mix things up, and she respects her for it. The two politicians both agree that people are disaffected and left behind. The two women came together to speak on matters such as these, to show that both sides of political parties can be heard coherently.   

“Don’t look for approval, don’t be afraid of failure. Speak up and let your opinion be strong,” Ayotte says.