Center President Speaks at Washington National Cathedral
On Sunday, November 30th, Center President David Abshire spoke at the Washington National Cathedral's thought-provoking Sunday Forum. His talk focused on "Lessons for the Next President," and, among other things, he drew from the essential lessons of Presidents past. Watch here.
Center Receives $700,000 Grant to Advise Incoming Presidential Transition
In September 2008, the Peter G. Peterson Foundation awarded the Center for the Study of the Presidency a grant totaling $700,000 to fund an ongoing Center project, the Strengthening America's Future Initiative (SAFI), to examine key challenges facing the country, brief the next President, Congress and the American people on those issues, and prepare a series of recommendations for Presidential and Congressional action. Leading the effort for the Center will be David Walker, Peterson Foundation President and CEO and former Comptroller General of the United States; Norman Augustine, former Chairman and CEO of Lockheed Martin Corporation; and Leon Panetta, former White House Chief of Staff. More>>
For more information, please contact Alex Douville, Director of Policy Studies, or Dana Martin, Project Coordinator, at 202-872-9800.
Rising European Leaders Meet in Washington, DC, to Discuss Transatlantic Issues
From November 17 to 21, the members of the Center’s new initiative on transatlantic relations, Strengthening Multi-Lateral Leadership: A European Exchange Program, gathered in Washington, DC to explore avenues for European and U.S. cooperation in order to prevent communication breakdowns between transatlantic governments during the American Presidential transition. During the week, participants discussed the future of U.S.-European relations, the transition process at the State Department and on Capitol Hill, and the economic and environmental policy concerns facing the Obama Administration. Speakers included former Senator Bill Brock, Ambassador Thomas Pickering, and former White House Chief of Staff Thomas McLarty. Program participants are rising leaders from countries across Europe, including Austria, Belgium, Britain, the Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Greece, Italy, Norway, Poland, Portugal, and Sweden. The European Exchange Program will reconvene in Washington in March 2009 to discuss the new Administration and Congress and any new developments in the transatlantic relationship. More>>
For more information, contact Emily Shaftel, Coordinator of the European Exchange Program, at 202-872-9800.
CSP Hosts Capitol Hill Seminar on Science and Technology Policy Challenges
On November 18, the Center hosted a high-level seminar on Capitol Hill that focused on the opportunities provided by science and technology for facing the numerous domestic and foreign challenges confronting the United States. The event brought together experts from the science and science policy communities including Center President David Abshire, Dr. Richard Meserve, Dr. Homer Neal, Dr. Jennifer McCormick, Dr. Tobin Smith, The Honorable John Porter, William Bonvillian, Bruce Ferguson, and Rodney Nichols. The panelists discussed the role science can play in meeting grand national challenges and what steps the United States government must take to ensure that American technology and innovation retain their competitive edge and remain at the forefront. The panelists also discussed how President-elect Obama can use government action to marshal American science to better take advantage of our national strengths in science and technology and use them to ensure American economic and national security. More>>
For more information, contact John Boyer, Director of Congressional Relations, at 202-872-9800.
Presidential Fellows Return to Washington and Discuss Election
The 2008-2009 Presidential Fellows gathered in Washington, DC, for the Fall Leadership Conference November 6-8, 2008. The first of two annual events, the Fall Conference serves as an opportunity for the Fellows to meet leading policy-makers and experts in the Washington community and to share their original research paper proposals. The highlight of the Fall Conference was a trip to the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, where Fellows were briefed in the historical Indian Treaty Room by George W. Bush's speechwriter, Mr. John McConnell. Other speakers included Center President David Abshire and former Acting Director of Central Intelligence John McLaughlin as well as alumni and mentors of the Presidential Fellows Program. The Fellows will return to Washington in March 2009 to discuss the Presidential transition and work on their original research papers on the Presidency. More>>
For more information, please contact Matt Purushotham, Project Director, or Jessica Zapf, Project Coordinator, at 202-872-9800.
New CSP Newsletter Available
The new edition of the CSP newsletter is available for download. More>>
PNSR to Present “Restructuring the National Security System: Case Studies"
On Monday, September 29, 2008, the Project on National Security Reform (PNSR) will discuss its first volume of case studies that illustrate why America’s national security system must be restructured. In addition, former Deputy Director of Central Intelligence, John McLaughlin, and others will discuss PNSR’s recently released Preliminary Findings Report. The event will be held from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. at the Hudson Institute. Click here for the event invitation and RSVP information.
Center President to Discuss Overcoming Special Interests
Beginning on Tuesday, September 9, through Thursday, September 11, Center President David Abshire will participate in a NewTalk discussion focusing on the question: “Can the next President break Washington's addiction to short-term goals and special interests?” NewTalk is a nonpartisan, online meeting place that creates focused discussions by experts on the most important domestic topics shaping American society today. Check out what will be an insightful and important conversation!
Center Publishes Presidential Fellows' Original Research Papers
The Center is proud to announce the release of A Dialogue on Challenges and Leadership: Papers of the 2007-2008 Center Fellows. This anthology contains the 20 best original research papers produced by the latest Presidential Fellows class. Fellows addressed a variety of important topics relating to the American Presidency, including the United States' relationship with China, recent expansions of Executive power, and the influence of party politics on governance. Copies of the anthology are also available for purchase, and the full text of each of the 85 Presidential Fellows may be found online here.
Please contact Matthew Purushotham, Project Director, at 202-872-9800 to order your copy.
CSP Releases Report on Presidential Leadership to Ensure Science and Technology in the Service of National Needs
The role of science and technology assets is often overlooked as an element of national power. Many of the major policy challenges confronting the next President—energy resources, nuclear proliferation, climate change, environment, health-care, food and water, security, and economic prosperity—require scientific advice or guidance for successful strategic resolutions. The Center’s issue group on Presidential science and technology assets has released a new report urging both Presidential candidates to begin pre-election planning to ensure science and technology governance assets for cohesive and informed policies and effective policy implementation.
For more information, contact Anne Solomon, Senior Advisor on Science and Technology Policy, at 202-872-9800.
