Monday January 19, 2009

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THE PRESIDENTIAL TRANSITION


Reuters/Jean-Paul Pelissier - An eye surgeon uses a microscope as he performs an operation on a patient.

Save to My Portfolio Memo to the President: Reform Health Care

Henry J. Aaron, January 16, 2009

Almost 50 million Americans are uninsured, the cost of public and private health insurance is rising and the quality of care is uneven at best. Henry Aaron offers a public memo to President-elect Obama with recommendations on how to deal with the challenges that will confront him in reforming health care. The memo is the twelfth of 12 Brookings memos on the most crucial public policy priorities facing the new president. Read More

Health Care

SPOTLIGHT: Energy Security


Reuters/Jeff Topping - A view of a greenhouse with a solar panel attached for heating water.

Save to My Portfolio How Energy Efficiency Can Ensure the Green Recovery Will Leave No One Behind

Charles K. Ebinger, January 16, 2009

Energy efficiency and conservation should be the cornerstone of President-elect Obama’s economic stimulus program and energy efficiency plan, writes Charles Ebinger. He argues that the Obama administration should pursue measures that insure the middle class and those making $50,000 or less benefit from these types of programs. Read More

Energy Security, Environment, Troubled Asset Relief Program, American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan, Transportation

THE PRESIDENTIAL TRANSITION


Reuters/Max Rossi - The logo of the next G8 Summit is unveiled in Rome.

Save to My Portfolio Memo to the President: Restore American Leadership to Address Transnational Threats

Carlos Pascual, January 15, 2009

The 44th president will face a world of transnational threats and multiple crises. The United States cannot succeed alone. Carlos Pascual presents his recommendations to President-elect Obama on how to restore credible American leadership; galvanize cooperative action against major global challenges; and revitalize key international institutions. Read More

Transnational Security Threats, The Presidential Transition, Diplomacy, Foreign Policy, Proliferation

SPOTLIGHT: Financial Institutions


Reuters/Brendan McDermid - A man walks past a CitiBank branch in New York

Save to My Portfolio Let the Bank Bailout Work

Martin Neil Baily and Charles L. Schultze, January 15, 2009

Martin Baily and Charles Schultze say the criticisms of Treasury’s handling of the first $350 billion of the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) are misguided and that Congress should release the second $350 billion immediately with reasonable, enforceable rules. They say the program should be measured on the problems it has prevented from happening, and that the new funds should be used for their intended purpose: bank recapitalization to limit further contraction of lending. Read More

Financial Institutions, Troubled Asset Relief Program, Banking, Fiscal Policy, U.S. Economy

PRESIDENTIAL TRANSITION

Save to My Portfolio Memo to the President: Invest in Long-Term Prosperity

Bruce Katz, Robert Puentes, January 12, 2009

President-elect Obama is preparing plans for an immediate economic stimulus package. At the same time, his new administration must consider how to make investments that will stabilize and strengthen our economy over the long term. Bruce Katz and Robert Puentes present their recommendations on bolstering infrastructure and investing in other economic drivers that can enhance long-term prosperity. Read More

Research and Commentary

Save to My Portfolio Obama’s Biggest Speech Yet

Michael Fullilove, January 16, 2009

A president's inaugural address provides the incoming U.S. leader with an opportunity to lay out his ideas, plans and governing approach before the American people and the world. Michael Fullilove presents lessons from history for President-elect Obama and his speechwriters about the relationship between presidential language and the president's future policies. Read More

Research and Commentary

Save to My Portfolio Reversing the Decline: An Agenda for U.S.-Russian Relations in 2009

Steven Pifer, January 2009

As the new U.S. president takes office, U.S.-Russian relations are at the lowest level since the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union. According to Steve Pifer, several unresolved and problematic issues dominate the this relationship. Pifer suggests that the incoming Obama administration seek a balanced approach toward Russia, making clear that Russia must not violate international norms while encouraging Russian cooperation and integration with international institutions. Read More

THE PRESIDENTIAL TRANSITION

Save to My Portfolio Brookings and the New Administration

This week, the Senate starts a busy schedule of hearings for top Obama administration nominees as the incoming president moves to fill the highest ranks of government officials with his own team. Among the nominees awaiting Senate confirmation are top Brookings scholars in economics and foreign policy. Learn more about them and others who will join the new administration who have presented their ideas in Brookings Institution events. Read More

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Transition Tracker

Restore American Leadership to Address Transnational Threats

Carlos Pascual discusses transnational threats that President Obama will face; Stephen Hess chats with Politico’s David Mark about what Obama needs to accomplish in his inaugural address.

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Spotlight

TopicHealth Care

Brookings is committed to producing innovative policy solutions to our nation’s most difficult challenges. The country may face no more important domestic policy challenge than the much-needed reform of our health care system. Through an institution-wide effort, Brookings delivers new ideas and offers policy solutions to improve health care both at home and globally.

TOPICThe Presidential Transition

During the 77 days from the election to the Inauguration, Brookings experts will offer 12 "Memos to the President" on top policy priorities across the spectrum of domestic and global challenges, plus additional advice on transitioning from campaigning to governing.

ExpertDarrell M. West

Darrell M. West is the vice president and director of Governance Studies at Brookings. His studies include campaigns and elections, political advertising, mass media, public opinion, technology policy and electronic government.

ExpertSarah A. Binder

Sarah Binder is an expert on Congress and legislative politics.  She is completing a project on the politics of advice and consent, and is at work on the politics of how Congress responds to financial crises.

ExpertRebecca Blank

Rebecca Blank is an expert on the interaction between the macroeconomy, government anti-poverty programs, and the behavior and well being of low-income families. She has just been named the Robert S. Kerr senior fellow at Brookings.

Research ProjectThe Hamilton Project

The Hamilton Project produces research and policy proposals on how to create a growing economy that benefits more Americans. Their agenda also focuses on enhancing individual economic security and effective public investments. 

Policy CenterEngelberg Center for Health Care Reform

The Engelberg Center for Health Care Reform provides practical solutions to achieve high-quality, innovative, affordable health care with particular emphasis on identifying opportunities on the national, state and local levels.

ExpertEswar Prasad

Eswar Prasad, the Tolani Senior Professor of Trade Policy at Cornell University, is a senior fellow in Global Economy and Development. He was previously head of the Financial Studies Division and the China Division at the IMF.

ExpertMauricio Cárdenas

Mauricio Cárdenas is a senior fellow and director of the Latin American Initiative. Formerly minister of Economic Development and Transportation, and director of National Planning of Colombia, his research focuses on international and development economics. He is also the president of the Latin American and Caribbean Economic Association (LACEA).

ExpertMartin S. Indyk

Ambassador to Israel and assistant secretary of state for near east affairs during the Clinton Administration, Martin Indyk directs the Saban Center for Middle East Policy. He currently focuses on the Clinton administration’s diplomacy and the Arab-Israeli conflict.

Research ProjectLatin America Initiative

The Latin America Initiative provides high-quality, in-depth, and independent research across a range of economic and political issues, and offers policy recommendations aimed at U.S. and Latin American policymakers.

ExpertJulia B. Isaacs

Julia Isaacs focuses on public investments in children and how children are affected by national budgetary policies. A former federal budget analyst, she also researches the economic mobility of children and families across the income spectrum.

ExpertSuzanne Maloney

Suzanne Maloney studies Iran, the political economy of the Persian Gulf and Middle East energy policy. A former U.S. State Department policy advisor, she has also counseled private companies on Middle East issues.

ExpertHugh B. Price

Former president and chief executive officer of the National Urban League, Hugh Price is an expert on education, civil rights, equal opportunity and criminal justice. His 40-year career spans journalism, philanthropy, the law, and social advocacy.

ExpertMark B. McClellan

A medical doctor and economist, Mark McClellan works on promoting high-quality, innovative and affordable health care. Once commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration and administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Dr. McClellan now directs the Engelberg Center for Health Care Reform.

ExpertAlice M. Rivlin

Alice Rivlin, the first director of the Congressional Budget Office, is an expert on urban issues as well as fiscal, monetary and social policy. She directs the Greater Washington Research project. 

ProgramGovernance Studies

Governance Studies explores political institutions of the United States and other democracies to assess how they govern, how their practices compare and how citizens and public servants can advance sound governance.