Speakers
Over 118 years, Mock Con has hosted many speakers for the events leading up to and during the convention weekend. These speakers include presidents, vice presidents, governors, businessmen, journalists, and other politicians and influential figures. Speakers show students and visitors the current state of the party, their views on politics, and their experiences. Here are some notable speakers from Mock Con’s past!
President Joe Biden
1984 Convention
Then the senator of Delaware, Joe Biden spoke at the second session of the convention weekend discussing his campaign for senator, his concluded 1984 campaign for president, as well as his experience as a young person in politics.
President Bill Clinton
1988 Convention
Then the governor of Arkansas, Bill Clinton spoke during convention weekend discussing past and present issues of national and international economics. After his speech, his surprise saxophone performance at the off campus party at Zollman’s Pavilion built student excitement.
Vice President Alben Barkley
1956 Convention
During his final speech, the 35th Vice President Alben Berkley discussed his transition from junior congressmen to VP to junior senator. He famously concluded by saying, “I’m glad to sit on the back row, for I would rather be a servant in the House of the Lord, than to sit in the seats of the mighty”. He then collapsed on stage due to a heart attack, and was later pronounced dead.
President Harry S. Truman
1960 Convention
In a tribute to his Vice President, Alben Barkley, former President Harry S. Truman delivered his speech during convention weekend addressing the transition from despair to hope. He also remarked, “This is a real convention, and I ought to know because I’ve been looking at them since 1912”.
President Richard Nixon
1968 Convention
President Nixon kicked off the 1968 convention cycle with a speech encouraging political involvement and activism by the W&L students and all young people. Mock Con also predicted Nixon to receive the Republican Presidential nomination, which he accepted.
President Jimmy Carter
1972 Convention
President Carter was Governor of Georgia when he delivered his Keynote address to W&L students. The following cycle, in 1976, Carter accepted Mock Con's nomination saying, "I'd like to ask all of you delegates now who have expressed your confidence in me so deeply to join with me in making our nation what it ought to be, and making our government as good as our people are”.
Vice President Mike Pence and Bret Baier
2023 Spring Kickoff
For the Spring Kickoff Event for the 28th Mock Convention, Washington and Lee University hosted Vice President Mike Pence and FOX News Chief Political Anchor and Host, Bret Baier in University Chapel. Vice President Pence took to the podium to discuss entitlement reform and national debt, as well as his previous time in office. Following his speech, Vice President Pence sat down with Bret Baier to engage in a conversation about the current state of the nation.
Former First Lady Laura Bush and Barbra Bush
2022 Parents and Family Weekend
Kicking off the 28th Mock Convention, Washington and Lee University welcomed Former First Lady Laura Bush and First Daughter Barbara Bush to a distinguished Parents and Family Weekend event. Organized by the 2024 cycle Mock Con team, General Chair Ramsay Trask ’24 and Director of Operations Carly Snyder ’24 engaged in a conversation with the Former First Lady and Daughter in University Chapel on the afternoon of Friday, September 30th. The mother-daughter duo gave insight into their life in and outside of the White House.