The Transition to Governing Project is sponsoring a series of events that explore the governing styles and abilities of the presidential candidates.

David Brooks  

During campaign season, much is written about the presidential candidates* issue positions and character. But if citizens are to make an educated choice for president, they also need to know how the candidates would turn their promises into reality, set priorities, and work with Congress.

At each event in the "How Would They Govern?" series, E.J. Dionne of the Washington Post and Brookings and David Brooks of the Weekly Standard ask questions of a panel of close associates of the candidate, officials of both parties who have worked with the candidate, and reporters who have covered the candidate. Questions concern issues such as governing philosophy, management style, and past experiences in governing.

E.J. Dionne  

Transcripts and videos from our past events have been broadcast by C-SPAN and have received extensive media coverage.

Most recently, the Transition to Governing Project held the conference "How Would George W. Bush Govern? " in Philadelphia during the Republican National Convention and, in conjunction with the National Democratic Institute, held "How Would Al Gore Govern?" in Los Angeles during the Democratic National Convention. For a complete list of panelists at each conference, see below.

On October 2, the Transition to Governing Project will host a conference at the Kennedy Library in Boston before the first debate scheduled by the Commission on Presidential Debates. Close associates of the candidates, elected officials who have served with the candidates, and reporters who have covered the candidates will discuss what they know about the candidates* approaches to governing. Panelists will examine the experience, leadership philosophies, and management styles of George W. Bush and Al Gore.

This is the ninth event in the project's conference series and the first time that both candidates will be assessed on the same panel.

"How Would George W. Bush Govern?"

Dan Balz, political writer, Washington Post
Hon. Teel Bivins, state senator (R-Tex.)
C. Boyden Gray, former counsel to President Bush
Fred Greenstein, professor of politics, Princeton University
Hon. Mike Johanns, governor (R-Nebr.)
David McNeely, political columnist, Austin American-Statesman

"How Would Al Gore Govern?"

David Maraniss, staff writer, Washington Post
Hon. Edward Markey, U.S. representative (D-Mass.)
Roy Neel, former chief of staff to Gore
Hon. James Sasser, former ambassador to China and senator (D-Tenn.)
Bill Turque, Washington correspondent, Newsweek
Hon. Pete Wilson, former senator and governor (R-Calif.)  

"How Would They Govern?"

Governor John Engler (R-Mich.), Senator Chuck Hagel (R-Nebr.), and Congressman George Miller (D-Calif.)

State Legislators: Teel Bivins (R-Tex.), Bill Ratliff (R-Tex.), and Steve Wolens (D-Tex.)  

Former Senators: Dale Bumpers (D-Ark.), David Durenberger (R-Minn.), Bob Packwood (R-Ore.), and Larry Pressler (R-S.Dak.)  

Former Representatives: Dan Rostenkowski (D-Ill.) and Jim Slattery (R-Kans.)  

Policy Advisers: Elaine Kamarck and Ron Klain  

Foreign Policy Advisers: Leon Fuerth, Richard N. Perle, and Robert Zoellick  

Reporters: Dan Balz, John Harris, Carl Leubsdorf, Doyle McManus, Alan Murray, and Carla Robbins