Obama Takes Office: From Making History to Effective Administration in a Time of Crisis

Speakers: Jeffrey D. Straussman, Dean of Rockefeller College of Public Affairs & Policy, University at Albany;
Theodore R. Marmor, Adjunct Professor of Public Policy, Harvard Kennedy School;
Alan Altshuler, Ruth and Frank Stanton Professor of Urban Policy and Planning, Harvard Kennedy School

President-elect Barack Obama created history by being elected the first African-American President of the United States of America. In his acceptance speech he declared that change has come to America and also acknowledged the difficult times facing the country. Set to assume office in less than a week, the incoming administration is concretizing its plans for change and preparing to address the ongoing financial crisis as well as many other challenges and constraints that face him in a range of areas. In so doing, Obama will have to cope with the double edged sword of unusually high expectations of both Americans and people worldwide. What strategies will Obama need to adopt to use presidential power effectively in this time of significant turmoil? How will he prioritize among competing issues calling out for his administrations attention? And how he will proceed to keep a workable political coalition intact while making difficult choices that will alienate some supporters? The three panelists, all distinguished senior analysts of executive power and American public policy, will discuss the challenges of Barack Obamas transition and will also respond to questions from the audience.

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Education

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