Former Mayor of Denver Wellington Webb spoke to roughly 75 students last night in Goddard Chapel regarding the future of a Democratic Party that is currently out of power and, according to some, out of touch.
In 1991, Webb was elected as the first African-American mayor of Denver and served as mayor for a 10 year period, until 2003. During his time as mayor, Webb oversaw the completion of the new Denver International Airport, a sports stadium and an African-American research library.
Webb said he is also credited for significantly lowering Denver's crime rate, and improving the educational system.
"Being mayor was very satisfying because I got to see my projects realized," he said. Webb said that if he were to run for an office in national politics he would not be able to see his ideas and plans come to fruition as quickly as he experienced as mayor.
Webb addressed many issues ranging from urban politics to his vision for the future of the Democratic Party.
Aside from his former mayoral position, Webb is the president of the Democratic Mayors Association and has also served as the Vice-Chair of the Democratic National Convention (DNC).
During his speech Webb chose to focus on the younger generations and the role they will play in the future of our country's politics.
"Our nation needs your help, your ideals, and your selflessness," he said. "We all have the responsibility to give of ourselves, especially those of us who are gifted and luck."
Webb said that he was not initially involved in politics during his college years, but that he was more interested in sports. He was an all-conference basketball player at Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, Colo., and upon receiving his Master's degree in Sociology from the University of Northern Colorado in 1971, he was rejected from a teaching position in the Denver school system.
Webb said he took this opportunity to follow advice from his grandmother, and he applied for a job at Denver's City Hall. Once he was offered the job, Webb's political career began. He said he credits his grandmother for her emphasis on the importance of political involvement.
"Whether you like it or not, politics matters. Either you are part of the solution or other people make the decisions for you," he said.
With regard to the current state of the Democratic Party, Webb said the Party needs to work on its message to make it clear and concise, with a consistent message about morals.
"We have to stop playing the game not to lose and start playing the game to win," he said.
He encouraged those in the audience to become involved in their communities and politics on a local and grassroots level. "The Democratic Party has always been the party of opportunities. We have to take all opportunities that come our way as well as offer opportunities to other. You can make a difference," he said.
During his time at the White House under the Clinton administration, Webb said he recalled a late night conversation with President Clinton about a table that was standing in the room at the time. When Webb asked Clinton why the table was significant, Clinton responded that it was the table that Lincoln wrote the Emancipation Proclamation on.
Webb said that this moment made him realize just how lucky and fortunate he was to be alive during that place and time in history, as his father never attended college and his great grandparents were directly effected by Lincoln's historic proclamation.
He said the Democratic Party cannot afford to take minority voters for granted, as the Democrats have an obligation to social justice and a presence in all 50 states.
On the other hand, Webb said he believes the Republican Party is cresting. "People are not happy. One nice thing about democracy is that it's not perfect but it can always be worked on and perfected."
Webb said, however, that the Democrats must offer more than just firm opposition. They must also put forward a "succinct" and easily understandable vision for the future that is founded on democratic and moral values.
- Dave Mitchell contributed to this article
