CNNMoney/Fortune: Making a difference, the Clinton way

[DeepModem Mom]

Making a difference, the Clinton way
How does a philanthropy without money do so much? Star power and a unique combination of optimism and pragmatism.
By Bethany McLean, Fortune editor-at-large
September 7 2006

NEW YORK (Fortune) -- The Clinton Foundation is not a foundation at all in the traditional sense, because it has no money of its own.

What it does have, of course, is Bill Clinton and all he brings with him: what Dr. Richard Feachem, executive director of the Global Fund, calls his "personal bully pulpit"; what Bob Carson, outgoing chairman of the American Heart Association, calls his "mind-boggling convening power"; what Doug Band, who began as Clinton's personal aide in the White House and now carries the title of counselor, calls his "ability to motivate people and move mountains."

The people he motivates are an odd but potent mix of longtime allies and FOBs, doctors and activists, and executives ranging from the unknown and enormously dedicated (like Clinton Foundation Rwanda director Beth Collins) to the high-profile and frankly improbable (longtime nemesis Rupert Murdoch, who is bankrolling a global-warming initiative).

"We take a lot of cues from the business world," says Clinton, who these days can sound more like a CEO than a politician. "We have very entrepreneurial people and a very entrepreneurial process. We identify a problem, we analyze it, and we move." Much of his staff comes from business, and he says using business practices "allows us to do a lot with relatively small resources."...

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The foundation doesn't have a clearly defined hierarchy or a detailed business plan. Its tentacles sprout from need, opportunity, and passion rather than design. "We don't have committees, we don't have processes," says foundation CEO Bruce Lindsey, who has been with Clinton since Arkansas. "If a decision needs to be made, we make it. If we can help, we help now, not tomorrow."...

http://money.cnn.com/2006/09/06/magazines/fortune/clinton_short.fortune/index.htm?cnn=yes

[blm]

1. Why isn't his "mind-boggling convening power" used to hold a press confab

where he answers every question about dealing with terrorism in his term?

Because Clinton has stayed silent against the GOP spin against him since the day after 9-11, every Democrat running for office since 9-11 has been tagged with the "Dems are weak on terror" meme.