Conversation with Madeleine Albright: Read My Pins

Conversation with Madeleine Albright has a point of view. Premier Guide Miami asked the questions. Here is what we learned.

Madeleine Albright is in her own right one of the most respected and influential women in the United States of America. Having served as U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations and later being the first woman appointed as Secretary of State, she has undeniably left her mark on U.S. politics — from her strong commitment to democracy and arms control to the promotion of human rights both nationally and internationally.

In addition to her political success, Dr. Albright has written three New York Times bestsellers: Madam Secretary: A Memoir (2003), The Mighty and the Almighty (2006), and Memo to the President (2006). Her new book, Read My Pins, provides a first-hand account of her unique pin collection, which she used diplomatically during her post as Secretary of State. Premier Guide Miami's Marie-Junie Pierre met with Dr. Albright at Judea Temple in Coral Gables.

Dr. Albright's memoir explains how she would wear her pins based on the political figures with whom she was meeting. Although she did not initially start wearing a pin for an unspoken political message, the public started commenting on her choices based on who she was meeting — and her pin wearing started to accommodate accordingly.

When asked about her feelings about the current President and the issues he is facing, Dr. Albright reiterated the issues she had brought forth in 2006: 1) fighting terrorism without creating more terrorists, 2) the proliferation of new weapons, 3) the growing gap between the rich and the poor, 4) energy, environment, food security, and pandemic disease, and 5) the restoration of the good name of democracy.

As to her personal opinion regarding President Obama, Dr. Albright explained how the image of the United States had been bad over the past eight years and highlighted his huge efforts to convert that image into a good one. "President Obama is currently more popular in some countries than the actual leaders of those countries," she noted, "and that image should be used to change the entire image of the United States of America."

Perhaps the most important issue raised was the return to a civilized bipartisanship where Democrats and Republicans can work together. Dr. Albright explained how the media keeps issues stirred up between the parties and how there is no accountability when it pertains to them. Although the country was built on bipartisanship, she explained how it has been taken to a level of non-civility. She also noted the efforts that President Obama has made in reaching out to the Republican party and their failure to reciprocate accordingly.

Dr. Madeleine Albright's influence on American and international politics is admirable. She currently serves on the Council on Foreign Relations Board of Directors, as Chairperson of the National Democracy Institute for International Affairs, and as Professor of Diplomacy at the Georgetown University Walsh School of Foreign Service — continuing to share her vast political knowledge for the benefit of our country.

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