Associates Breakfast With Mack McLarty, Former White House Chief of Staff
November 13, 2008
Santa Monica
Thomas "Mack" McLarty III understands the pressures of a new presidency better than most.
As President Clinton's first chief of Staff, McLarty learned first-hand the critical transition from campaigning to governing, as well as the all-important first 100 days in office.
Based on what he's seen so far, the transition from President Bush to President Obama is going well. Both men and their staffs are taking the transfer of power seriously, which they must at a time when America is at war in two countries and is suffering from its worst financial crisis in more than half a century, McLarty said.
"This transition is a particularly important one," McLarty told members of the Milken Institute Associates.
When Obama takes office in January, the new president needs to focus on three things: the economy, avoid contentious issues and find a balance in dealing with the Democratic Congress.
While many in the country believe the United States is headed in the wrong direction, McLarty said the election of a new president offers a chance at a new beginning for Americans.
"Our country is a country of tomorrow," he said. "It's a country of hope and promise."
If Obama is able to deal with the economic situation in a positive way and restore people's confidence that things will turn around, he should do well, he said.
During his talk, McLarty also touched on the issues of trade, Latin America, the financial bailout measures, and globalization.
This event was open only to Milken Institute Associates. To join the Associates or to learn more about the program, please contact Mindy Silverstein, director of the Associates, at (310) 570-4634 or msilverstein@milkeninstitute.org.
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