VZCZCXYZ0000
RR RUEHWEB
DE RUEHWL #0236 2132219
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 312219Z JUL 08
FM AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 5343
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