Alumnus discusses political vision

Ted Van Dyk, University of Washington alumnus and notable political policy maker, spoke about his new book, Heroes, Hacks and Fools: Memoirs from the Political Inside and how politics need to see a change in direction, last night at the Town Hall Center.

"No longer do politicians say, 'What does the country need?'" Van Dyk said.

Van Dyk is a native to Bellingham, Wash., and captures that quintessential "Northwest attitude."

His book has been a long time coming. Van Dyk was involved in his last political campaign after a very long involvement with seven different presidential candidates since the early 1960s.

"I came home about seven years ago," he said. "And now, I finally decided it was time [to write the book]."

Van Dyk stressed the fact that the United States has become gridlocked by party politics and the personal attachments to the "red" and "blue" ideal.

"We are not making decisions that we should be," he said.

The politicians who do the best work, in Van Dyk's mind, are those who are motivated by "larger agendas than their own," as opposed to those who operate based on their own interests.

"I have always selected the candidate that I felt was the most honorable," Van Dyk said.

By voting, Van Dyk hopes that politics can achieve the needed change.

You have to ask yourself, "Is this an honest person who won't be corrupted?" Van Dyk said. "And even then, you may be wrong."

In his book, Van Dyk gives a personal account of how politics were on the inside, with many never-before- told stories. His speech focused mainly on Hubert Humphrey, calling him his political hero.

The audience was very attentive throughout the discussion and seemed to really connect with Van Dyk's stories.

"I knew he had an experience in government that would give us insight that would be frank and honest," said Judy Whetzel, who attended the event.

The history of politics was not the only topic of the night; he also spoke about his view of where politics are and where politics and politicians need to head next.

"I learned a lot tonight that I didn't know," said Emory Bundy, who also attended the event.

Barack Obama would be a good next step Van Dyk said.

He crosses lines, Van Dyk said.

"He gives a fresh start," he said.

Though Van Dyk was critical of certain aspects of the political system, he made it clear that he has a strong passion for it as well.

"They (government leaders) need to have a plan and go forward," Van Dyk said. "That is what they were elected to do."

[Reach reporter Celia Hunko at news@thedaily.washington.edu.]