A single line often inverts meaning once you see what it
answers, so neighbouring messages are always shown.
-
Dec. 6, 2008 - Annual Christmas Party at Sam and Jan Donaldson's home. As usual, great time with the standard cast of characters some of whom are: Colin Powell, Wolf Blitzer (CNN), Bob Barnett, George Will, Ellen and Gerry Sigal (told me that Francis Collins is "aggressively" campaigning for the job of NIH Director. I told her that I preferred to stay at NIAID.), Bob Mueller (FBI), Gen. James Jones (new National Security Advisor for Obama; we spoke about the importance of biodefense and gave him my card). Great time was had! After the Donaldson party went to the National Zoo (Amazonia) for the 50th Birthday party for Greg Folkers thrown by his significant other Sheila Stinson.
-
Dec. 7, 2008 - (Sunday) - got e-mail asking me to call Mike Froman from the Obama Transition Team, wanting to know if I was interested in the NIH Director's job. He said that Obama had mentioned my name to him and asked that he contact me. I told him what I told Aaron Pickrell on Nov. 25 (above) that I felt that I could serve Obama, his administration, and the American people better in my current job and expressed a willingness to work closely with them the way I have with the Bush and Clinton Administrations. He understood and asked if I would be willing to help vet names for them as they narrow the search. I told him that I would be happy to do that.
-
Dec. 9, 2008 - Chris and I went to the VP Mansion for the Annual Christmas Party. Bitter-sweet since this is the last one that I will have gone to the mansion for the Bush Administration and maybe (who knows?) the last visit that I might make to the VP mansion. Chris and I reminisced that the first time we came here was when George H.W. Bush was VP in the early 1980s and how we returned several times for receptions and brunches as the VP and I became friends. Tonight there was the usual cast of people who I had the opportunity to talk to and thank for the years of working together and helping each other out. First and foremost was VP Cheney who expressed his appreciation for "all that I have done for our country" over the years that we had worked together and beyond. Also, reminisced with Bruce Miller (VP's Chief for biodefense), David Addington (VP Counsel), Mike Chertoff, Mike Leavitt, Bob Kadlec.
-
Dec. 10, 2008 - On an unseasonably warm night for December, went to the Mandarin Hotel in Washington, D.C. (12th and Maryland Avenue, SW) to receive the "25 Greatest Public Servants" Award from the Council for Excellence in Government. It was somewhat of a big deal. Other awardees who were present were Everett Alvarez (Viet Nam pilot POW), Lee Hamilton, Sen. Richard Lugar, Tom Ridge, Donna Shalala, Shirley Jackson (President Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute). Other awardees who were not there were: James Baker, Mayor Mike Bloomberg of NYC, Mayor Richard Daley of Chicago, Former VP Al Gore, Tom Kean, Ted Kennedy, Congressman John Lewis, Wilma Mankiller, Norman Pinetta, George Mitchell, Sandra Day O'Connor, Peter Peterson (Chairman, Council on Foreign Relations, Colin Powell, Alice Rivlin, Robert Rubin, George Schultz, Paul Volker, John C. Whitehead Former deputy Secr. Of State. Interesting evening with a lot of friendly discussions about the Obama transition. Clay Johnson of OMB was there and said a few words about the Bush Administration and told the large dinner crowd that we are leaving the government and the country better than we found it - the entire audience was struck silent. You could feel the discomfort in the room. I sort-of like Clay (even though he screwed me years ago re: the NIH Directorship), but he clearly proved how out-of-touch he and the Administration people are.
-
2008-12-10 00:00
Anthony S. Fauci
Dec. 10 - 26, 2008 - Jenny got home on Dec. 23 and Megan has been home since Dec. 19. Wonderful to have all 3 girls together in the house. Jenny is as passionate as ever over the work that she is doing teaching science at a charter school in Brooklyn (Brownsville). She lives in Park Slope. I am a bit worried about her living in a tough section of Brooklyn, but she is a careful young woman. Interesting that she wound up in the place on my birth. Megan is somewhat sad and lonely in NYC even though she is doing extremely well at Columbia (all As except for 1 A- and 1 A+). She does not like college life, but I am sure that she will adjust since her main issue is she does not make friends easily. Dec. 26 - Jan. 1, 2009 - Had our every 3 1⁄2 year big Editorial Board meeting of HPIM in preparation for HPIM-18 . Meeting in Rio Grande (40 minutes West of San Juan). Enjoyed the stay, but Chris and the girls were there only from Dec. 28 (PM) until Dec. 31 (AM). We had my 1 day off on Dec. 30 and spent day at beach with great weather (80 and sunny). Chris and I and the girls together with the Hauser boys (Bennett, William and Stewart) went kayaking in an sea kayak out to a sand bar. Spent the evening in Old San Juan at a great outdoor restaurant in the old square near El Moro Fort.
-
Jan. 4, 2009 - Had our traditional New Years Eve dinner with the Gallin's at their house this time together with Ali and Megan since we missed the real New Years Eve as I was in PR.
-
Jan 6, 2009 - Hectically busy since returning from PR. Went to Philadelphia to receive the Silver Award Lectureship at Children's Hospital of Penn (CHOP). Hosted by Steve Douglas. Kept me very busy with lecture, dinner at a great restaurant (LaCroix) at the Rittenhouse Hotel., multiple meeting with staff and fellows.
-
Jan. 7, 2009 - Dinner at the home (Villa Firenze on Albermarle Street, N.W.) Italian Ambassador to the USA Giovanni Castellenata and his wife Leila in honor of Dr. Enrico Garaci, the president of the Istituto Superiore della Sanita in Rome. Also present were Ruggero DeMaria Marchiano (Director of Research at the Institute), Frank Carlucci and wife, Daniel Daniello (Founding Partner of the Carlyle Group) Simone Bemporad (Senior VP, Media Relations and Intern. Affairs of Finmeccanica SPA), Michael Ansari (Pres and CEO MIC Industries), Francesco Celi of NIDDK, NIH. Discussed what the Obama Administration might mean for the future.
-
Jan. 9 - 10, 2009 - Most extraordinary 2 days. Drive with Chris to Norfolk, VA to witness the commissioning ceremony of the USS George H.W. Bush - CVN77. This was at the invitation of Bush 41. Amazingly, I was given a "Red" pass which was for "super VIPs". Arrived on a Friday night (Jan. 9) and stayed at the Renaissance Hotel in Portsmouth, VA. This was an overflow, yet superb hotel, since I send in my RSVP rather late as I was somewhat ambivalent about driving 3 hours and 45 minutes to the ceremony. What a mistake that would have been not to go. Patty Conrad used her influence and experience with White House social people to allow a late RSVP. In fact, Patty was invited also related to her years in the Bush 41 White House as Advance Team member. Attended elegant reception and buffet on Friday night at the Marriott in Norfolk. Met many of the Bush 41 and 43 people that I have known over the many years. Included were Andy Card, Marlin Fitzwater, John Sununu (we reminisced about the day I said no the Bush 41 in the Oval Office when he offered me the NIH job). Also saw Phil Brady who worked for Bush 41 when he was VP, Tim McBride, David Demerest, Roger Porter, Kevin Moley, among others. Bush 41 and Barbara Bush came to the reception and Bush made some comments. Floods of people wanted to say hello. I got to speak with Mrs. Bush and she told me how proud she was of what I have been doing over these many years and said that she and George H.W talk about me often when they see me in the news. Did not get a chance to say hello to Bush 41 since there were too many people crowding him and I did not want to appear aggressive. I will write him a note. Patty Conrad was at the reception with Betsy Wilder and they saw many old friends from WH days. Saturday (Jan. 10) was glorious with clear blue skies and 45 to 50 degrees. Chris an I went on a nice run around the harbor in the AM and then took off for the ceremony. The entire naval and naval air base of Norfolk/Portsmouth is immense and beautiful. We were fortunate to have red passes since there were 17,000 people at the commissioning and we zoomed right in. We actually had seats on the side deck right across from the front deck where Bush was. We sat 1 row from W's daughters Barbara and Jenna, both of whom I know (see notes above). None of the ceremony took place on the top deck, all the second level decks. The view and ceremony were one of the most special things that I have experienced. The POTUS, VP Cheney, Laura Bush all flew in by Helicopter to the main deck. The speeches brought tears to peoples eyes recounting the war-time heroism of Bush 41. Four FA18 jets did a fly-by right in front of us as did a reconstructed "Avenger" fighter/bomber that Bush flew when he was shot down. The aircraft carrier was immense and awe-inspiring.. Ships's Captain was Capt. Kevin E. O'Flaherty. Chris and I drove home glowing and talking about the almost "surrealistic" experience. On the evening of Saturday (Jan 10 -- now raining in DC) we attend a party at Jamie Gorelick and Rick Waldron's home. Party theme was "A New Year, A New Day". It was mainly focused on the excitement over the upcoming Obama Administration. Great party with many Obama people there such as Larry Summers, Lisa Brown (WH Staff Secretary), Susan Rice (Ambassador to UN), and others. I spoke to Lisa and Susan about ny vision for "Test and Treat" to eliminate HIV and how this would fit nicely into the Pres-elect's mandate for Health Care Reform. I reiterated when they asked that I was not interested in leaving NIAID or being NIH Director, but I wanted to be active in the administration in the areas where I am expert such as Global Health, AIDS, etc. Susan Rice was particularly interested in my discussion of "Health Diplomacy". Hopefully these discussions will lead to my working with the Obama Adm in my current position as NIAID Director to accomplish some of these goals. Also at the party and people that I spoke to were Walter Isaacson, David Ignatius (Washington Post), E.J. Dionne (Post), Chris Matthews (NBC) and Kathleen Matthews, Nina Totenberg (NPR), Linda Douglas (ABC), Judy Woodruff (NPR) among others. Very enjoyable night. Jan 19 -- 20, 2009 -- Extraordinary excitement for the Inauguration of President Obama. Jenny and Endrea came down from NYC ; also Megan took a day off from Columbia and came down. Freezing cold weather for the weekend before and the Monday (Jan. 19 -- Martin Luther King Birthday) and Tuesday (Jan. 20 -- Inauguration day). On Jan. 19, Chris and I attended a terrific brunch hosted by General Electric and NBC. I was invited because of my many years dealing with NBC (Meet the Press, NBC Network, etc.) Brunch was at the National Museum of Women in the Arts on 12" Street and New York Avenue, NW. Many friends from the media there -- Chris and Kathleen Matthews, David Gregory, Tom Brokaw, Andrea Mitchell, Kelly O'Connell, etc. Festive time and excitement about the Inaug. That afternoon Chris and the girls went to a concert on the Mall featuring every important rock star and Hollywood star -- Bono, Bruce Springsteen, Usher, Wil-I-Am, Stevie Wonder, Beyonce, etc. The city was invaded by people on Jan. 20 -- over 1 million people descended on the Mall on a freezing (7 F in the AM and teens during the day) crisp, clear day. Chris and the girls and Jo Oliver (former Nanny) went down to the Mall at around 7:00 AM for a ceremony that started at 12:00 noon. I decided to drive them as far downtown as possible and they walked the rest of the way. Most roads closed and 3 hour waits at Metro stations. Most people ever on the Mall. I watched on TV (too cold and too maw . Obama gave a The evening of Jan. 20, Chris and I were invited to a Ball at the Museum of Natural History -- Blue Diamond Ball -- "Health for All" organized by Radia Daoussi and Brian Hennessy. They had previously done a film on their daughters and how they asked questions about HIV and how people answered them. They are somewhat of a "slippery" couple who were using health people for self-aggrandizement. I was invited to speak at the function along with Paul Farmer, Jim Kim, Congressman John Conyers, Congressman Dennis Kucinich, Helene Gayle (CARE), Georges Benjamin. Party MC'd by Tracey Neale (Emmy Award Winning TV Personality). Entertainment by Jackson Browne. I did not stay for the entertainment. Too much bullshit at the Ball (mostly because of motivations of the hosts). I probably should not have gone.