January 22, 2009
Brookings Vice President Darrell West says President Obama has to temper the optimism surrounding his new administration with caution about our dire financial straits, while Politico Senior Editor David Mark asks former presidential speechwriter Steve Hess to assess the inaugural address – all in our final “Transition Tracker” podcast.
January 15, 2009
In this week's transition podcast, Carlos Pascual, vice president and director of Foreign Policy at Brookings, discusses transnational threats—terrorism, climate change, global poverty and more—that President-elect Obama will face when he takes office in less than a week. Former presidential speech writer Stephen Hess chats with Politico Senior Editor David Mark about what Obama needs to accomplish in his inaugural address.
January 8, 2009
Martin Indyk lays out the difficult path to renewed diplomacy in the Middle East that President-elect Obama will face the day he takes office, while Stephen Hess discusses how past presidents have decorated the Oval Office for both ceremonial power and personal comfort.
December 18, 2008
Brookings expert Vanda Felbab-Brown says Pakistan is suffering from its greatest internal crises in decades, while Afghanistan remains far from stable with a resurgent Taliban. In this podcast, she proposes recommendations to expand stability in the region, while Politico Senior Editor David Mark and author Steve Hess discusses the president-elect's press conferences.
December 11, 2008
Brookings expert Martin Baily says there is plenty of blame to go around for the financial crisis, and President-elect Obama will have his hands full. In this transition podcast, Baily proposes long-term efforts to restore confidence in the financial system, while author Steve Hess discusses the critical role of the White House speechwriters.
December 4, 2008
Brookings Vice President for Economic Studies Bill Gale says that in the midst of the continuing financial crisis, President-elect Obama still has enormous opportunities to reform the tax code – and he should start with energy and health care. Also, author Steve Hess on how presidents get their cabinet picks confirmed by Congress in this week’s Transition Tracker podcast.
November 26, 2008
The financial crisis is sure to push more Americans into poverty. Senior fellow Rebecca Blank discusses what the new administration can do to combat poverty and increase opportunity for millions, and the man on the street reacts. Also, former presidential press secretary Ron Nessen interviews Stephen Hess on the qualities a new President needs in his congressional relations chief.
November 20, 2008
On the Transition Tracker, Brookings expert Benjamin Wittes answers questions about how President-elect Obama can put a legal framework in place to end the clash over detainee rights, while Senior Fellow Stephen Hess discusses the process of selecting the cabinet.
November 13, 2008
On the Transition Tracker, Managing Director William Antholis says President-elect Obama should take quick action on energy security, while Senior Fellow Stephen Hess discusses the traits an effective White House press secretary needs.
November 6, 2008
On the Transition Tracker, Senior Fellow Darrell West explains what steps President-elect Obama can take to lead with confidence, while Senior Fellow Stephen Hess looks at ways to effectively staff the White House.
November 4, 2008
In this Transition Tracker preview, Senior Fellow Stephen Hess explains what the president-elect needs to do first to ensure a smooth transition from the Senate to the White House.