Request for DVC with Editor and Publisher of the Cook

UNCLAS WELLINGTON 000797

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR IIP/G/EA - TVOSE AND RFHOLDEN; EAP/PD - AEGRIMES;
JBOOKBINDER, RHOLDEN, TSKIPPER; EAP/ANP

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP SCUL

SUBJECT: Request for DVC with Editor and Publisher of the Cook
Report, Charlie Cook, Who Analyzes US Elections and National
Political Trends



1. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: Post requests a DVC with Charlie Cook, which
will look at the outcome of the 2006 midterm elections and how they
affect the Presidency, US foreign policy, and US policy in New
Zealand in particular.


2. Preferred Activity Date, Fiscal Year, and Quarter: This is an
FY07 program, requested for a few days after the midterm elections
-- ideally the week starting November 13 US time; first quarter;
6:00 pm EST - noon NZ time of the following day.


3. JUSTIFICATION OF PROGRAM: The national climate for the 2006
midterm elections portends big changes, yet race-by-race analyses
reveal formidable odds against a Democratic takeover of either the
House or the Senate. Voters' unhappiness over the direction of the
country, Congress's low approval ratings, President Bush's
job-approval scores, and Democrats' advantage on the generic
congressional ballot test all suggest that Democrats should be able
to seize the House and possibly the Senate.
Post regards such a DVC as an occasion for its contacts to discuss
election issues directly with Charlie Cook -- widely regarded as one
of the nation's leading authorities on US elections and political
trends -- as an exciting opportunity. The New York Times has called
Cook, "one of the best political handicappers in the nation" and
notes that The Cook Political Report is "a newsletter that both
parties regard as authoritative." David Broder of The Washington
Post considers Charlie Cook as "perhaps the best non-partisan
tracker of Congressional races."


4. MPP THEME AND EXPECTED AUDIENCE: MPP GOAL 08-01, Mutual
Understanding - Elections.
Audience Expected: To include members of the New Zealand
government, including members of Parliament; local politicians,
lobbyists, political consultants, government officials, members of
foreign embassies, academics, opinion-makers, policy-makers, members
of the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs (NZIIA),and
the media.


5. NAME OF SPECIALIST REQUIRED: Charlie Cook
Contact Details: Cook Political Report
The Watergate
600 New Hampshire Ave NW
Washington, DC 20037

Phone: 202-739-8525
Email: cookreport@nationaljournal.com

See also: http://www.cookpolitical.com/default.php
"The Cook Political Report" to view Charlie Cook's two weekly
columns for National Journal magazine and CongressDaily/AM
& http://www.cookpolitical.com/about/bios/cook. php Cook's bio.
Note: Should Mr Cook be unavailable, Post's preference is for a
non-partisan commentator (journalist) or two reps, one from the DNC,
the other from the RNC.


6. POST PROJECT OFFICER: Control officer: Christine Vivian
Office phone: 644-462-6112; Fax: 644-499-0490
Email: cvivian@actrix.gen.nz / vivianc@state.gov

TECHNICAL OFFICER: Ola Thorsen
Office phone: 644-462-6015, Fax: 644-499-0490
Cell: 6427-451-2535 Email: thorsenO@state.gov

LOCATION AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS:
ISDN numbers: 644-939-7519 Coord. Line: 644-462-6150
U.S. Embassy, Wellington has a polycom viewstation. 384K


7. Please advise soonest. Many Thanks.
MCCORMICK