Purdue News
Purdue News
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January 21, 2004 Purdue Fish Fry speaker Carville not out on a limb on candidatesWEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – James Carville, one of the speakers at the Purdue University Ag Alumni Fish Fry on Feb. 7, isn't placing bets on Democratic presidential front runners.
"I don't predict, the voters are better at that," said Carville, well-known Democratic political consultant. "When people ask, I tell them what I think of the candidates and what the implications are of the choices." Carville, who hasn't consulted for domestic campaigns since Bill Clinton's successful 1992 run for president, plays the outsider's role. But even though he's not in the game, don't think he's not having fun. In addition to co-hosting CNN's "Crossfire," Carville writes books, starred in the HBO series "K-Street" and will soon produce a remake of the film "All the King's Men." He also does consulting for international politicians such as British Prime Minister Tony Blair and former Prime Minister of Israel Ehud Barak. "I get to do a lot of interesting things and they are all fun," said Carville, whose next book, a collection of children's stories due out next September, was inspired by his two young daughters. However it's his national political ties that keep him constantly on the road giving speeches. People aren't asking him to talk about neurosurgery, he quips. Carville and his wife and fellow consultant, Republican Mary Matalin, will bring their political insights and humor to the Ag Fish Fry stage when it begins at 11:30 a.m. in the Marsh Blue Ribbon Pavilion at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis. Tickets are on sale for $15. Even though their talk will be a take-off of their book "All's Fair: Love, War and Running for President," don't expect a canned speech from the Carville/Matalin duo. "There's a year of politics that could happen between now and Feb. 7," Carville said. "I never plan my talks out ahead of time. I will react to what's going on in the country that day." And there will be more than politics to react to, given that he'll be speaking to a crowd of about 2,000 – in a sheep barn, while eating pork at a fish fry. Pork loins became the staple on the Ag Fish Fry menu starting in 1999 in support of the state's pork producers. "Well, that sounds like a really fun event," he said. "We'll have a blast, a ton of fun." Prior to the Ag Alumni Fish Fry, Indiana Gov. Joe Kernan will speak during the 2004 Ag Forecast at 9:30 a.m. in Edy's Grand Hall, also on the state fairgrounds. His talk is free and open to the public. The Ag Forecast will conclude in time for participants to attend the fish fry. Doors will open at 10:30 a.m. in the Marsh Blue Ribbon Pavilion. From the time the doors open until the start of the fish fry, the Purdue Council for Agricultural Research, Teaching and Extension (PCARET) will sponsor Coffee with the Candidates. Candidates or campaign representatives for governor and congressional races have been invited to participate. Round-trip bus transportation for the forecast and fish fry is available from the West Lafayette campus. For information about shuttle buses, contact the Purdue Ag Alumni office at (765) 494-8593. Free child care also will be provided for those who sign up and buy tickets by Feb. 1. The children will be cared for in a separate portion of the pavilion. Tickets for the fish fry must be purchased in advance. For ordering information, contact the Purdue Agricultural Alumni Association, 615 W. State St., Room 1, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2053; phone (765) 494-8593; or e-mail debby@purdue.edu. Tickets also may be purchased on the Web. Online ordering and additional information about Ag Forecast and Ag Fish Fry is available at the Purdue Ag Alumni Web site at https://www.agriculture.purdue.edu/agalumni/ Writer: Beth Forbes, (765) 494-2722; forbes@purdue.edu Source: Donya Lester, (765) 494-8593; lesterd@purdue.edu Ag Communications: (765) 494-2722; Beth Forbes, bforbes@aes.purdue.edu Note to Journalists: News media planning to cover the Ag Fish Fry or Ag Forecast should contact Beth Forbes at (765) 494-2722, forbes@purdue.edu.
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