Vernon Jordan to Lead Kerry Debate Negotiations

[Dover]

WASHINGTON, June 21 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The John Kerry for President campaign announced Monday that prominent investment banker, attorney and Clinton administration veteran Vernon Jordan will be Senator Kerry's lead debate negotiator. With a series of Presidential debates proposed for this fall, Jordan, currently Senior Managing Director of Lazard LLC and of counsel at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, will play a key role in Kerry's campaign to build an America that is stronger at home and respected abroad.

"I'm honored to have Vernon Jordan leading my debate negotiation efforts," Kerry said. "Vernon is an outstanding Democrat but more importantly, someone who has lived his life striving to expand opportunity and make the American Dream a reality for Americans from all walks of life."

"Tapping into America's optimistic spirit, Senator Kerry has developed a comprehensive plan to strengthen our nation and help families get ahead," said Jordan. "I'm honored to join his campaign and look forward to this fall's debates -- where the American people will see the clear choice facing them in November between more of the failed Bush record and John Kerry's optimistic plan to build a stronger America."

Jordan's presidential appointments include: the President's Advisory Committee for the Points of Light Initiative Foundation; the Secretary of State's Advisory Committee on South Africa; the Advisory Council on Social Security; the Presidential Clemency Board; the American Revolution Bicentennial Commission; the National Advisory Committee on Selective Service; and the Council of the White House Conference "To Fulfill These Rights." In 1992, Jordan served as the Chairman of the Clinton Presidential Transition Team.

Jordan serves on the board of governors of the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, and is a member of the Council of Foreign Relations, The Bilderberg Meetings and the Trilateral Commission. His directorships include American Express Company; Asbury Automotive Group, Inc.; Dow Jones & Company, Inc.; Howard University; NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund; J.C. Penney Company, Inc.; Sara Lee Corporation; Shinsei Bank, Ltd.; and Xerox Corporation. He also serves on the international advisory boards of Daimler Chrysler and Barrick Gold....>>

http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=135-06212004

[Jay Bradfield]

1. don't know much about Jordan

But I would be interested to know his progressive credentials. I am hoping he has worked for social change just as those before him did making it possible for an African American to achieve what he has achieved.

Unfortunately, his credentials look too much like a corporate Uncle Tom's. Progressive should be careful in praising someone just because they are black or some other "historicall oppressed" group.

[OKNancy]

2. Google is your friend

I'd use it before posting something like the above post.

[Jay Bradfield]

3. OK, read his bio...

He was a pioneer in the early civil rights movement. What has he done recently? What does he consider the biggest obstacles faced by people of color today? Does he understand that the way our economy is structured things are increasingly difficult for anyone of any race to get ahead? Does he realize that the corporations he works for are promoting an agenda that is at odds with the interests of most people of color around the world?

Or is he just comfortable because he did his time in the movement and can now be the black face in the boardroom legitimizing corporate ideology.

[OKNancy]

4. He is heading up the debate commitee

and he is very qualified to do this job. I think you are trying too hard on this one. I mean really, Jordan was almost killed by an assassin...he's paid his dues. He's almost 70 years old...he's earned the right to have a comfortable life.

--------------------------

Lawyer and Washington power broker Vernon Jordan was born on August 15, 1935, in Atlanta. Graduating with honors from David T. Howard High School in 1953, he went on to attend DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, where he was the only African American student in his class. At DePauw, Jordan participated in the student senate, won statewide honors in speaking competitions, played basketball and graduated in 1957. He then entered Howard University School of Law, receiving his J.D. in 1960.

Jordan returned to Atlanta starting his legal career working with the civil rights movement. In 1961, he helped organize the integration of the University of Georgia and personally escorted student Charlayne Hunter through a hostile white crowd. Over the next ten years, Jordan held various positions as a civil rights advocate. He served as the Georgia field secretary for the NAACP; director of the Voter Education Project for the Southern Regional Council; head of the United Negro College Fund; and as a delegate to President Lyndon B. Johnson's White House Conference on Civil Rights.

In 1971, Jordan was appointed president and CEO of the National Urban League, where he spearheaded the organization's growth. On May 29, 1980, a white supremacist attempted to kill Jordan. After a successful recuperation, in 1981 Jordan resigned from the National Urban League to take a position as legal council with the Washington, D.C. office of the law firm of Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer and Feld. His active practice includes corporate, legislative and international clients. Jordan's close friend is former President Bill Clinton and during Clinton's presidency, Jordan became one of Washington's most influential power brokers. Currently he is a partner in the investment firm of Lazard Frere & Company in New York.

[Name removed]

5. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[UTUSN]

6. Well, O.K., Let's Have the POWER Inside!!!! n/t

[I Lean Left]

7. Extremely important!

I felt Gore gave too much away in the debate negotiations because it was assumed he would mop the floor with Bush no matter what the format. He ended up agreeing to no direct questioning. We ended up with: question from panel; 2 minute response; 1 minute rebuttal; 30 second rebuttal to rebuttal. This played to Bush's strengths (or at least away from his weaknesses. Gore should have held out for something akin to his massacre of Perot during the NAFTA debate.

Kerry doesn't seem to take much for granted. I'm hoping he'll insist on being able to confront Bush directly. Especially since the administration has made credibility such an issue and has attacked Kerry non-stop for months.

Really hoping for a 'You're no John Kennedy' moment!