“I’m not sure exactly why they asked me, because I just lost an election,” Corzine joked of his failed bid for reelection last year as he opened the talk, which was part of the Last Lectures series organized by the Class of 2010.
Corzine, the former chief executive of Goldman Sachs who was elected to serve as one of New Jersey’s U.S. senators in 2000 and as the state’s governor in 2005, addressed negative perceptions of politicians and then took audience questions, which addressed a range of issues, from finance to some of his less popular policies while in office.
Though admitting that “those of us that have participated in government haven’t done everything perfect,” Corzine countered the public’s negativity toward public officials. “There has been a general undermining of people’s view of what government is about, but at the same time, our world has improved,” he said.
Corzine, who was asked to speak about running for political office, noted that many officials enter public service at the local level. “You can run for the school board or the county committee. You work from the bottom up,” he said.
But, he suggested, “when an opportunity comes, you have to seize it.”
Corzine said that while people can make an impact on others in a number of positions, being governor was particularly rewarding because “this is where we educate our kids and deal with the child welfare system. This is where you can make a difference day in and day out.”
Corzine named reform of the state child welfare system, which was one of his lower-profile policies as governor, as one of his greatest accomplishments, noting that fewer children are dying and case workers are now responsible for fewer children.
“We went from being under court order to being a model. I will go to my grave thinking we made a difference in children’s lives, and that’s something that matters even if people don’t vote on it,” he said.
One student asked Corzine to comment on the publicity surrounding his proposal to raise tolls as a way to raise state revenue and close the state’s budget deficit. Corzine replied with a joke, saying “Publicity — that’s a nice way of putting it. It got a lot of crap.”
He then argued that the policy was sound, though his explanation of it to the public was not.
“The toll plan was about paying our debt and having enough resources to keep our infrastructure,” Corzine said. “I knew it was a political risk, but it was the best idea I could come up with ... I was a lousy salesman. I am arrogant enough to say that I would do it again, but I would hire a better PR firm to get it out there.”
The talk, which was advertised under the title “How to Run for Public Office,” drew more than just budding politicians.
Zack Predmore ’11 said that though he doesn’t have plans to run for public office, the title of the lecture caught his eye.
“I like how he tried to correct some misconceptions about politicians, that even in a time when politics seems to be inundated with conflicts and scandals, he felt that most politicians are truly seeking to better the world,” Predmore said. “It was refreshing to hear someone articulate that view.”
Conor Pigott ’10, also in attendance, said that he has gone to almost all of the Last Lectures. A resident of New Jersey and a Republican, Pigott said that it was interesting to see the personal side of a politician.
“I feel there is a freedom because he didn’t have to pursue an agenda,” Pigott said of Corzine’s lecture. “I found it was consistent with how he governed. He was always willing to make tough decisions.”
Corzine ended his lecture by encouraging those in attendance to consider a future in public service.
“There is this perception about public officials that they’re all scoundrels, but there are a lot of moral, decent people on both sides who are in politics for the right reason ... Give helping others a chance.”
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