Madeleine Albright
The Diplomat
People, composure and the difficult conversation held well.
Madeleine Albright is a seasoned diplomat and former U.S. Secretary of State known for her expertise in foreign policy and international relations. This interview reveals her ability to navigate complex global issues while advocating for democracy and civil society, showcasing her commitment to fostering cooperation and understanding across divides.
“Well, I usually am better at giving the line, which is people ask me, are you an optimist or a pessimist? So then I say, I'm an optimist, who worries a lot. That's more words. But I am an optimist because I so believe in America and the history and the diversity and the value system and the people that I've dealt with.”
“One of the things I had done on fundraising was when Muskie didn't win the Democratic nomination in 72, McGovern did. And I didn't know any of the McGovern people, but I knew the Mondale people. And Mondale was, he had been appointed a senator, and then he was running for the Senate. And so they asked me to come and help him.”
“Have that many women professors. And so I was actually initially funded by a foundation to be a role model, you know, to work with in a co-ed situation with women's students. And so that's what I was hired to do. I did have a PhD, but I'd never talk. And I then ultimately went on tenure track there and taught regular courses.”
“Well, not really. I mean, I thought I wanted to do something interesting, and I saw myself, perhaps as an assistant secretary of state, I didn't actually want to be an ambassador because I like living in the United States. But I did think, and then there was a certain moment when there had been a woman deputy secretary of state.”
The Axe Files with David Axelrod — Best of The Axe Files: Madeleine Albright
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