March 27, 2008
Opportunity 08 Heads to University of Miami on April 7 to Discuss Critical Election Year Issue of Military Readiness and other Pressing Domestic and Foreign Policy Issues Facing Presidential Candidates
UM President Donna E. Shalala to Kick Off Forum
CORAL GABLES, FL – With the two remaining Democratic Presidential candidates and the presumptive Republican nominee Senator John McCain debating how they would address the war in Iraq and other military engagements overseas, a critical question that our candidates must acknowledge is “What is the Future of Our Military?” This topic and related key foreign policy questions concerning military readiness will be discussed at an Opportunity 08 forum hosted by the Brookings Institution, the University of Miami and the University of Miami Student Government on April 7th in the Storer Auditorium at the University of Miami.
Other sponsors include the University of Miami Council for Democracy and the University Of Miami Get Out The Vote Chapter.
Opportunity 08 is a project of the Brookings Institution in partnership with ABC News to help presidential candidates and the public focus on critical issues facing the nation. With our military being stretched to the breaking point, retention dwindling, and resources and equipment for our troops a major concern, panelists will discuss how our next Commander-in-Chief can ensure the stability and readiness of our military. The Opportunity 08 forum will begin with an opening from University of Miami President Donna E. Shalala, who will introduce a discussion of the primary season and the issues impacting this debate featuring former presidential advisor Kenneth M. Duberstein and Brookings Senior Fellow Thomas Mann.
The forum, featuring distinguished political and foreign policy experts from Washington, D.C. and Miami, will take place in the Storer Auditorium, 5250 University Drive, at the University of Miami from 6 – 8 p.m. The event is open to the public. Please RSVP to presidents.events@miami.edu, Doors for the event open at 5:45 pm.
Opportunity 08 Forum Agenda
Welcome from University of Miami President Donna E. Shalala
Donna E. Shalala: Professor of Political Science and the President of the University of Miami. She was Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) in the Clinton Administration for eight years, the longest serving HHS Secretary in U.S. History. She has also served as President of Hunter College CUNY and Chancellor of University of Wisconsin-Madison. She recently served as co-chair of the President's Commission on Care for America's Returning Wounded Warriors with Senator Bob Dole.
Panel One – Issues in the 2008 Primary Season
Kenneth M. Duberstein: Co-chair of the Brookings Institution Opportunity 08 project. He has served several presidents and administrations in a variety of capacities. Most notably, he was chief of staff to President Ronald Reagan and managed the transition of the presidency to President George H. W. Bush. He is currently chairman and CEO of the Duberstein Group.
Thomas E. Mann: The W. Averell Harriman Chair and Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution. A noted expert on politics and elections, he is also the director of the Brookings-AEI Election Reform Project.
Panel Two – The Future of Our Military: Solutions for Our Next President
Peter Singer: Directs the 21st Century Defense Initiative at Brookings. His research focuses on changes in national security, especially the rise of new conflicts and conflict groups, as well as U.S.-Islamic world relations. He lectures frequently to U.S. military audiences and is the author of Corporate Warriors and Children at War.
June Teufel Dreyer: A commissioner of the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, Dr. Teufel Dreyer teaches Chinese Foreign Policy, Chinese Politics, U.S. Defense Policy and Introduction to International Relations as a Professor in Political Science at the University of Miami. June is the author of China’s Political System: Modernization and Tradition.
Michael O’Hanlon: Director of Opportunity 08, Michael O’Hanlon is a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and director of research for the 21st Century Defense Initiative. A former defense budget analyst, he specializes in U.S. national security policy and advises members of Congress on military spending, defense issues and the use of military force.
For more information about Opportunity 08, visit www.opportunity08.org.
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The University of Miami is a private educational institution. The University of Miami’s mission is to educate and nurture students, to create knowledge, and to provide service to our community and beyond. Committed to excellence and proud of the diversity of our University family, the University strives to develop future leaders of our nation and the world. Located in Coral Gables, Florida the University of Miami was chartered in 1925 and has 12 colleges and schools offering 115 bachelor's, 114 master's, 51 doctoral and two professional areas of study. For additional information visit: www.miami.edu
The Brookings Institution is a private nonprofit organization devoted to independent research and innovative policy solutions. For more than 90 years, Brookings has analyzed current and emerging issues and produced new ideas that matter – for the nation and the world. For more information, visit www.brookings.edu or www.opportunity08.org.
