Event Summary
The inauguration of Barack Obama as president of the United States will be observed intently by billions of people around the world. A gifted writer and speaker, Obama has been compared to past Presidents Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy. How did Obama’s inaugural address measure up? What clues did it provide to his future governing approach and foreign policies?
Event Information
When
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Where
Falk Auditorium
The Brookings Institution
1775 Massachusetts Ave., NW
Washington, DC
Map
On January 21, the Brookings Institution and Australia’s Lowy Institute for International Policy hosted a panel discussion on the inaugural address, featuring observations from former presidential speechwriters and foreign policy analysts. The panelists examined the new president’s speech, analyzing its style and its implications for America’s relations with the world.
Carlos Pascual, vice president and director of Foreign Policy at Brookings, provided introductory remarks and moderated the discussion. Pascual was joined by Michael Gerson, former head of speechwriting for President George W. Bush; Vinca LaFleur, former foreign policy speechwriter for President Bill Clinton; and Michael Fullilove, Brookings visiting fellow and program director for global issues at the Lowy Institute. After the program, panelists took audience questions.
Participants
Introduction and Moderator
Vice President and Director, Foreign Policy
Panelists
Lowy Visiting Fellow, Foreign Policy
Michael Gerson
Roger Hertog Senior Fellow, Council on Foreign Relations
Vinca LaFleur
Partner, West Wing Writers