Request for a DVC with Thomas Mann and David Gergen to

UNCLAS WELLINGTON 000236 SIPDIS SECSTATE FOR IIP/T/ES (RADAMS); IIP/SDIS; IIP/S - TAYLORR; IIP/T/SV; EAP/PD; EAP/ANP E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OIIP SCUL SUBJECT: Request for a DVC with Thomas Mann and David Gergen to discuss the U.S. Elections. ¶1. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: Post requests a DVC with highly respected congressional scholar Thomas Mann and political analyst David Gergen to discuss the state of the 2008 elections, the candidates, their policies, and their potential impact on Congress and the Presidency. ¶2. PREFERRED ACTIVITY DATE, FISCAL YEAR, AND QUARTER: This is an FY08 program, which is requested ideally for the week of the 15th of September; fourth quarter; 5-6.00pm Washington time = 0900 NZ time the following day. [The ideal would be 16th 5-6pm DC/NY time, which would be 17th September 9-10am NZ time]. JUSTIFICATION OF PROGRAM: The national climate for the 2008 elections portends big changes in the USA, and Post would like to discuss the possible implications for New Zealand - and the world. There is a huge amount of interest in these elections in New Zealand. Mann and Gergen would form a perfect team - the former speaking widely on issues related to campaigns, elections, and the effectiveness of Congress. He has conducted polls for congressional candidates and overseen national public opinion studies. Gergen, best known as a political consultant and presidential adviser, would use his experience to comment on relevant issues. There would be a good deal of interest amongst our contacts in these two interlocutors, and we would be providing "top-notch" candidates for this important public Affairs event. Post regards a DVC with our contacts in Auckland and Wellington at this post-convention time as a most valuable opportunity for our contacts to discuss election issues directly with these interlocutors, who are highly respected in their fields. Jon Johansson, a New Zealand scholar of the U.S. election process, believes that by mid-September we "should have a very good view of the shake-down between McCain and Obama." [This DVC is thanks to Jon for his support of our "Election" programs in New Zealand - and he requested Gergen.] ¶4. MPP THEME AND EXPECTED AUDIENCE: MPP GOAL 08-01 Mutual Understanding. Audience Expected: To include members of the New Zealand government, including members of Parliament; local body politicians, lobbyists, political consultants, government officials and foreign embassies, academics, opinion-makers, policy-makers, members of the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs (NZIIA),and the media. ¶5. NAME/CONTACT DETAILS OF SPECIALISTS REQUIRED: Thomas E. Mann Address: Brookings 1775 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20036 Phone: 202.797.6050 Email: tmann@brookings.edu Bio at http://www.brookings.edu/experts/m/mannt.aspx David Gergen - currently a professor of public service at Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government and director of its Center for Public Leadership. He is also editor-at-large for U.S. News & World Report and a Senior Political Analyst for CNN. Gergen has served as a White House advisor to Presidents Nixon, Ford, Reagan and Clinton. Address: 79 JFK Street, Cambridge, MA 02138 Phone: 617-496-1982 Fax: 617-496-7301 Email: David_Gergen@ksg.harvard.edu Assistant Colleen Corbett (617-496-3744) Bio at http://www.davidgergen.com/ ¶6. POST PROJECT OFFICERS: Wellington - Control Officer: Christine Vivian Office phone: 644-462-6112; Fax: 644-499-0490 Email: cvivian@actrix.gen.nz / vivianc@state.gov Auckland - Control Officer: Philip McKenna U.S. Consulate, Public Affairs, Ph: 09-3032724 x 2843, Mobile: 027 276 7889, email: mckennapa@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: 644-462-6014 U.S. Embassy, Wellington has a polycom viewstation. 384K Auckland location numbers: to be advised. ¶7. Please advise soonest. Many Thanks. MCCORMICK