May 16, 2008
David Rubenstein and Private Equity, Part II (Kathy Kemper)
During a recent Institute for Education/INFO forum, David Rubenstein, co-founder of the Carlyle Group, discussed both the economy and bananas — often in the same sentence. Rubenstein himself is quite humble and self-deprecating for a man on Forbes’s Top 400 Wealthiest People list, and much more sober than expected when diagnosing the economy.
Rubenstein first quoted Hollywood producer Bo Goldman, saying that “nobody here knows anything” when discussing economic issues. He also related a story about Alfred Kahn, an adviser to Jimmy Carter, who used the “R word" (recession) during the 1980 campaign before being asked to stop. Kahn acquiesced and instead began saying, “We are approaching a banana,” since no reporter would write that in his or her column. Somewhat like the chastened Kahn, Rubenstein was hesitant to use the “R word.” > Read More
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What's This May 13, 2008
David Rubenstein on Private Equity (Kathy Kemper)
When introducing David Rubenstein, the co-founder of the Carlyle Group, at yesterday’s Institute for Education/INFO breakfast, I was not quite sure how to refer to him. Is he a mogul? Is he a tycoon? The title I eventually settled on was the one I read in Gerry Seib and John Harwood’s new book, Pennsylvania Avenue: Profiles in Backroom Power. They referred to David as a private equity pioneer. That sounded perfect. Rubenstein said jokingly that he was a bit intimidated by that title since he did not want to ruin it for “future pioneers of private equity.”
Rubenstein characterized his business as a balance between fear and greed.
Once it was demonstrated that private equity firms could make incredible profits, banks started lending money to them fearlessly. This made it very easy for private equity firms to get loans. > Read More
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What's This May 9, 2008
The Best Game in Town: Being a Mom (Kathy Kemper)
Mother’s Day is my favorite day of the year, hands down.
My birthday? Forget about it. Christmas and Thanksgiving are too much work for moms. Mother’s Day is all about me and my favorite thing in the world: being mom to Travis, Kelsey and Christina.
Nothing is better than that. Not Oscar de la Renta, not Jimmy Choo, not talking with Tom Friedman, not teaching Harrison Ford tennis on the White House Court, not shooting par, buying low and selling very high, or even a 1986 first-growth Bordeaux.
I watch my children develop like a sports fan watches and is engrossed in a sporting event. I criticize, I cheer, I get butterflies and love every moment. I watch Kelsey and Christina play varsity basketball — one dishes the ball to her sister, she scores, and I cheer. > Read More
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What's This May 6, 2008
Q-and-A with Coach K: The Presidential Candidates (Kathy Kemper)
I hope you've enjoyed my Q-and-A with presidential candidates Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.), Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) and Barack Obama (D-Ill.).
To view the April 21, 2008 column online, please click here.
To view the April 23, 2008 column online, please click here.
To view the April 25, 2008 column online, please click here.
To view the April 28, 2008 column online, please click here.
To view the May 5, 2008 column online, please click here.
To view Kathy Kemper's columns on The Hill's Pundits Blog, click here.
To see other op-eds and columns by Coach Kathy Kemper, visit the Institute for Education site.
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What's This May 5, 2008
Presidential Q-and-A, Part V (Kathy Kemper)
Coach Kathy Kemper’s interviews with the leading presidential contenders — of which the following is the final installment — took place in March of 2008. The interviews were conducted in person and via e-mail and hand-written responses by Kemper in collaboration with Institute for Education interns Alex Burness and Kelsey Valentine.
How do you plan to attract young voters?
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.): Young voters all over the country are actively engaged in my campaign. They are the backbone of our field operation, they have started groups at their colleges and high schools, and they are working hard to spread the word about my campaign. They are the best advocates I have in reaching out to other young people. > Read More
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What's This May 1, 2008
Running on Common Ground — And Liking It (Kathy Kemper)
Want a better way to start your day? Want to bridge the divides that too often break us apart in Washington?
Yesterday, a host of Washingtonians — White House staffers, diplomats, journalists, philanthropists, businesses, military personnel, members of Congress — together with our capital city's mayor took to the banks of the Anacostia River to run, jog or walk three miles before work. All for an important cause.
Participants in the American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI) Capital Challenge signed up as teams. California Rep. Jane Harman (D) headed the "Harmaniacs." Mayor Adrian Fenty captained the Fleet Feet team, Alan Holmer from the Treasury Department headed up the Jacksons and Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.) helmed Team Ensign. > Read More
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What's This April 28, 2008
Presidential Q-and-A, Part IV (Kathy Kemper)
Coach Kathy Kemper’s interviews with the leading presidential contenders — of which the following is Part IV — took place in March of 2008. The interviews were conducted in person and via e-mail and hand-written responses by Kemper in collaboration with Institute for Education interns Alex Burness and Kelsey Valentine.
What do you feel you bring to the table that the other candidates do not?
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.): I believe the Democrats are very lucky to have two strong candidates running in this primary. I also believe the choice facing voters comes down to who offers real solutions for the real problems we face in America. My policies — from building an economy that works for everyone, to ending the war in Iraq , to declaring energy independence and creating millions of green-collar jobs — will make all of our hopes and dreams into a reality for people across America.
Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.): I have respect for both Sen. Clinton and Sen. Obama, but my conservative record and service to our country makes me most qualified to lead as commander in chief. > Read More
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What's This April 25, 2008
Presidential Q-and-A, Part III: Greatest Achievements, Favorite Tunes (Kathy Kemper)
Coach Kathy Kemper’s interviews with the leading presidential contenders — of which the following is Part III — took place in March of 2008. The interviews were conducted in person and via e-mail and hand-written responses by Kemper in collaboration with Institute for Education interns Alex Burness and Kelsey Valentine.
What music do you like to listen to while out campaigning?
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.): Carley Simon, Aretha Franklin and the Rolling Stones, U2.
Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.): We keep a vigorous schedule, but [I] do enjoy listening to Abba.
Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.): If I get any downtime on the plane, I usually listen to my iPod that has all kinds of music on it. I’m a big Stevie Wonder fan. > Read More
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What's This April 23, 2008
Presidential Q-and-A, Part II: Top Three Priorities (Kathy Kemper)
Coach Kathy Kemper’s interviews with the leading presidential contenders — of which the following is Part II — took place in March of 2008. The interviews were conducted in person and via e-mail and hand-written responses by Kemper in collaboration with Institute for Education interns Alex Burness and Kelsey Valentine.
What will be your top 3 priorities as president?
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.): No. 1 would be to withdraw from Iraq. No. 2 would be presenting my legislative plan — clean, affordable energy, better healthcare, and repairing relations around the world with other countries. > Read More
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What's This April 21, 2008
Q-and-A with Coach K: The Presidential Candidates (Kathy Kemper)
Coach Kathy Kemper’s interviews with the leading presidential contenders — of which the following is Part I — took place in March of 2008. The interviews were conducted in person and via e-mail and hand-written responses by Kemper in collaboration with Institute for Education interns Alex Burness and Kelsey Valentine.
Q: What are you most proud of?
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.): My daughter.
Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.): My family's dedication to service to our nation.
Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.): I am most proud of my two daughters, and of a country that allows them to dream big dreams. > Read More
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