NBC’s Brian Williams Tells College Grads ‘Our Politics Are Broken’

NBC Nightly News and Rock Center anchor Brian Williams delivered the commencement address Sunday to George Washington University’s graduating class on DC’s National Mall. At one point, Williams lamented the state of American partisanship, saying “our politics are broken.” He also told the crowd of 25,000 that dropping out of college was one of his “great regrets.”

During a section of the speech on virtue, Williams explained that he feels the bitter partisanship of American politics inhibits effective government. “Our politics are broken,” he said. “Remember, there’d be no constitution in this country without compromise. We wouldn’t have been formed without compromise. Going without compromise makes you a highly principled person, but it can often lead us to a government that is not attuned to the needs of the people.”

At another point, Williams spoke at length about his dropping out of GWU years ago. “I like to say to people I was in a big hurry and I needed to go make a living, and I never looked back,” he said. “But the truth is, as the last college I attended I can tell you: I look back every day, and I look in the mirror and it’s one of my great regrets. Don’t forget that by being here today that you have now achieved something I was not able to achieve.”

Check out Williams’ commencement address below:

(H/T FishbowlDC)

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