On October 2, the Transition to Governing Project hosted a panel at the John F. Kennedy Library before the first presidential debate. The panel was part of the official program of the Commission on Presidential Debates. "How Would George W. Bush and Al Gore Govern?" focused on the leadership styles and governing experience of George W. Bush and Al Gore, as well as panelists' insights into and predictions for the upcoming debates. E. J. Dionne of the Washington Post and Brookings Institution and David Brooks of the Weekly Standard moderated the panel. Panelists included Susan Feeney, senior editor of Morning Edition, National Public Radio; Hon. James Jones, former ambassador to Mexico; and David Shribman, assistant managing editor and Washington bureau chief, the Boston Globe.

This was the ninth event in the Transition to Governing Project*s How Would They Govern? series. The goal of the series was to focus media attention on examining how a candidate*s personality, experiences, and governing style would impact the choice of a cabinet and White House staff, ability to work well with Congress, and legislative agenda. The events were widely covered by print and television media including C-SPAN, and reporters wrote numerous stories about the governing styles of the candidates as a result of the series. Previous events took place at the American Enterprise Institute in Washington, D.C., and at both of the parties* national conventions.