President Bush’s former chief of staff, who whispered into Bush’s ear on the morning of the Sept. 11 attacks, will speak tonight on the SIUC campus.

Andrew Card’s speech, “What I Have Learned and Would Like to Pass On,” begins at 7 p.m. in Shryock Auditorium. The Paul Simon Public Policy Institute is sponsoring the event.

A veteran of three presidential administrations, Card may be most recognized as the man who told Bush about the attack on the second World Trade Center tower while the president sat in an elementary school classroom in Florida.

Even though he resigned earlier this year, Card has reappeared in the national news after claims in a new book that the former chief of staff tried to persuade Bush to fire Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. Card has since clarified the statements, saying he wanted the president to have a “healthy debate” about the topic.

Matt Baughman, assistant director of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, said the speech would be a chance for Card to reflect on his experiences in his career and life as a whole.

“Because of Andy Card’s experience and time in Washington, it would be interesting for political science majors, faculty involved in political science and community members interested in current events and international administration to attend,” Baughman said.

A former member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives and veteran of both President Reagan’s and President George H.W. Bush’s administrations, Card had plenty of experience when the younger Bush appointed him White House chief of staff in November 2002.

Card is a graduate of the University of South Carolina, the United States Merchant Marine Academy and the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. He is the second-longest serving White House chief of staff.

“He has a very impressive public service record and the kind of experience in our nation’s capital that would make a very enlightening and insightful time to spend with students and members of the community,” Baughman said.

Phillip Carrier, a freshman from Carbondale studying art, plans on attending the speech.

“It will be interesting to hear his insights that he has on today’s government,” Carrier said.

William Freivogel, interim director of the School of Journalism, said Card is speaking at an interesting time because of the recent claims in Washington Post reporter Bob Woodward’s book “State of Denial.”

According to Woodward’s book, Card twice attempted – and twice failed – to persuade Bush to ask Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld to resign.

Although Card issued a clarification on the claims, Freivogel said he thinks it does not deny what is being said of him.

“This is a time for one of the insiders to talk when the management style and competency of Bush’s White House is such an issue. Students are able to have an insider view,” Freivogel said.

Alexis Boudreau can be reached at 536-3311 ext. 255, or [email protected].