RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Stephen Hess, November 21, 2008, The Brookings Institution
President-elect Obama has chosen Phil Schiliro, a veteran of the Senate and House of Representatives, to be his liaison to Capitol Hill. Stephen Hess, author of What Do We Do Now?, says that Schiliro’s long congressional experience and low profile have been hallmarks of success for his predecessors. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
November 18, 2008, The Brookings Institution
When President-elect Jimmy Carter took office in the 1976-77 transition, he reached out to Brookings scholars for help on both domestic and foreign affairs, as well as advice on how to structure his White House staff. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Stephen Hess, November 2008, The Brookings Institution
Many new presidents pick their campaign spokesperson to handle the White House press corps. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t, as Stephen Hess advises in this installment of What Do We Do Now?. Read More
PAST EVENT
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
2:00 PM to 3:30 PM
Washington, DC
President-elect Barack Obama now faces the daunting challenge of shaping a new administration. On November 12, William Galston will moderate a discussion with David Lewis and Kathryn Dunn Tenpas to examine the basis on which presidents pick their political appointees and the impact of their choices on government performance. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
November 12, 2008, The Brookings Institution
In 1968, the nation was devastated by the assassinations of Robert F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King, Jr., and a divisive three-way battle for the presidency raged. Brookings scholars trained their sights on solving contentious domestic issues. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Stephen Hess, November 2008, The Brookings Institution
In this second installment of What Do We Do Now?, his new workbook for the president-elect, Stephen Hess advises the winner to start staffing the White House right away, from the chief of staff, counsel, press secretary and speech writers. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Darrell M. West, November 07, 2008, The Brookings Institution
The president-elect faces enormous challenges, but comes into office buoyed by an electorate hungry for change. Effective leadership, both at home and abroad, will require mobilizing grass-roots support and repositioning government as a solution rather than as a problem. Read More
PAST EVENT
Friday, November 07, 2008
10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Washington, DC
Brookings held the first of 12 events to provide timely policy recommendations and advice to the incoming president and his transition team. Darrell West offered a public memo to the president-elect with advice on bringing a polarized electorate together, the first of 12 Brookings memos on the most crucial public policy priorities. He was joined by former White House chiefs of staff Ken Duberstein and Leon Panetta; Brooking Senior Fellow Stephen Hess; and other experts. Read More
VIDEO
Darrell M. West and Thomas E. Mann, November 05, 2008
Darrell West and Thomas Mann offer insights on the just-elected executive and legislative branches of government. Their goal in January, says West, is to bring change to American politics. But things will not go smoothly, warns Mann; “Conflict is natural, especially when you’re doing important things.”
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
November 05, 2008, The Brookings Institution
Nearly 50 years ago, the country weathered a historical presidential transition in turbulent times, as John F. Kennedy bested Richard Nixon in a close race to replace Eisenhower. Brookings played a behind-the-scenes role to help ease the transition. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
William A. Galston, November 05, 2008, The Brookings Institution
Television viewers knew early that Barack Obama would be the 44th president and Democrats would hold greater margins in Congress. But in the reality of the day, writes William Galston, the president-elect and congressional leaders have only a short time to make key decisions and must coalesce around a set of promises that can be met before voters rethink in 2010. While Republicans regroup, Democrats have a chance to make their case. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Stephen Hess, November 2008, The Brookings Institution
The new president has just 77 days between the election and the inauguration to prepare for taking over the highest office in the land. This excerpt from Stephen Hess’s book offers tips on where he should start. Read More
PAST EVENT
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
12:30 PM to 1:30 PM
Winning an election in a polarized nation is one thing—governing it is quite another. The Scouting Report chat launched with a special Election Day edition. Brookings Vice President of Governance Studies Darrell West and Politico Senior Editor David Mark discussed the advertising, the candidates and the status of the race on election day. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
William A. Galston, November 04, 2008, The New Republic
By the end of February 2009, the next president will have to define his top domestic priorities, submit a budget, and begin the difficult process of unwinding America's combat presence in Iraq. Despite today's crisis environment, William Galston cautions that the next president shouldn’t emulate FDR's first 100 days, or LBJ's feverish legislative pace in 1965 and 1966. The more ambitious the agenda, the more likely it is to fall victim to entrenched political realities. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Strobe Talbott, November 03, 2008, The Brookings Institution
After a long campaign, American voters will elect a new Congress and a new commander-in-chief. Brookings President Strobe Talbott discusses the agenda for the president-elect, and announces a new effort to re-examine the top challenges he’ll face in the wake of a historic campaign and an unprecedented global financial crisis. Read More