Diary Prequel Package — page 39

an Magazine choses in virtually every newspaper and TV with statements. Washingtonian Magazine choses me as one of Washington's "Best and Brightest" - Dec, 2001 issue. Secretary Thompson told me that over the past week and 1⁄2 he has spoken to Pres. Bush about appointing me Director, NIH. Apparently, there is some resistance by Sen. Brownback who is a born-again Christian and right winger. He is pushing Bob Redfield and other strict conservatives. Apparently, he believes that I am too liberal because of my association with gays in the AIDS work and because of my statements about the scientific need for embryonic stem cell research. Thompson re-iterates my conditions for taking the job. Science advisor Jack Marburger is against my doing dual job. On Nov. 27 and 29 I appeared before 2 Senate committees. On Nov. 29, I testified that we needed $200 Million (professional judgment) more than the PB. Jeff Koplan (CDC Director) testified with me that CDC needed an additional $2 Billion for bioterrorism research. We both made big NY Times and Washington Post coverage. My picture in NY Times on Nov. 30. Weekend of Dec. 1 & 2 - Thompson asked me to prepare talking points for him in his visit to the Pres. To argue against reneging on the promise to give NIH $4 Billion in FY2003 to complete the doubling trajectory. Dec. 4, 2001 - Probably one of the most significant days for NIH and me regarding the budget of the institution. Word was that the "pass back" for NIH would be $0.5 billion, which would be devastating for NIH (no new initiatives and $275 shortfall on Type 5s). I entered into intensive negiations with Tommy Thompson over a 2-3 hour period in his office during which time he frequently called the White House discussing our negotiations. The bottom line is that Tommy and the President wanted to give the NIH a pass back that I would be able to publicly defend to the constituents, the Press, and the Congress. I laid down some strict conditions of this support. It was $2.0 billion for NIH excluding bioterrorism. I calculated that it would take $1.3 billion to reach current services, $200 million for maintenance of campus (including security). This would leave about $500 for new initiatives. On top of that I needed 1.0 billion for bioterrorism. They wanted to know my opinion of whether the constituents would accept this "almost" meeting the doubling trajectory. I told Tommy to tell the President that I would definitely defend this pass back since it actually was a great deal given the constraints on budget due to the demands of the war and the bioterrorism (BT) defense. I gave him my word that I would support him and the President. Tommy also informed me that a few people in OMB were very pissed off at me because I testified at the 2 Senate Hearings (especially the Specter Appropriations Hearing) that we needed $200 million more in FY2002 for BT. He also re-affirmed that Sen. Brownback was not in favor of my nomination for NIH Director because he felt that I was too liberal and he wanted his candidate who is Bob Redfield, a born-again Christian. Tommy said that the President wanted me , but was getting pressure from the far right. I am perfectly comfortable with this situation. I am what I am. Take me or leave me. I am happy with what I am doing now.