DeFazio comes back to school to discuss Southern politics, political system

Thirty seven years ago, Peter DeFazio earned a master’s degree from the University of Oregon.

He’s been been back on campus many times in the intervening years, and on Tuesday the veteran Congressman walked into Esslinger 150 to to speak to assistant professor William Terry’s 300-level political science class on Southern politics.

“He brings a real life perspective to the things we talk about,” Terry said.

DeFazio, a Springfield Democrat, has represented Oregon’s 4th District since 1987, and is the longest serving member of Congress in Oregon’s history. He speaks to UO classes about three or four times a year, he said. He also likes to visit Lane Community College, local high schools and any other venues that help him keep in touch with his sprawling district.

“Whenever I can find the time,” DeFazio said. “I like talking to students.”

DeFazio touched on Southern politics but mostly talked about what he views as serious problems confronting America’s political system.

“This is one of the most troubling and potentially hazardous times for our system of representative democracy,” he said.

Specifically, he cited recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings on the Voting Rights Act and on campaign finance, as well as sophisticated gerrymandering efforts, that have changed the way elections are run and campaigns are funded.

He noted he was the first member of Congress to be attacked by an anonymous “super-PAC” in 2010.

“Wealthy people and corporations can now spend as much as they want to take you out,” he said. “Money is becoming a huge factor” in elections. “Average Americans are being out-shouted by big money people.”

DeFazio also fielded questions on a variety of topics, including voter suppression, and the 2016 presidential election.

He noted we could see another Clinton-Bush contest, with HIllary and Jeb taking the place of Bill and George.

- by Tim Christie, Public Affairs Communications