FDR-Obama Comparison Is Theme of Columbia Conference

WHO: Speakers: Jonathan Alter, Newsweek columnist and author of “The Defining Moment: FDR’s Hundred Days and the Triumph of Hope”; Ambassador Dennis Ross, a peace negotiator under Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton; Harris Wofford, former senator from Pennsylvania and Civil Rights leader; Robert Kuttner, co-founder of The American Prospect magazine and author of “Obama’s Challenge: America’s Economic Crisis and the Power of a Transformative Presidency”; Marjora Carter, founding director of Sustainable South Bronx; and others

Moderators: Mara Liasson, political correspondent for National Public Radio; and Alan Brinkley, presidential historian and provost of Columbia University

WHAT: Restoring America Through a New New Deal: Policy Priorities for the First 100 Days. Using President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s first-term achievements as a guide, panelists will suggest policy ideas for President-elect Obama’s first three months in office. They will discuss energy policy, the economy, the mortgage crisis, health care, national security and America’s role in the Middle East. The conference will be followed by the FDR Distinguished Public Service Award Dinner, a gala fundraiser honoring New York Gov. David Paterson.

WHEN: Conference: Saturday, Nov. 15, from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Dinner: Saturday, Nov. 15; 7 p.m. for cocktails, 8 p.m. for dinner

WHERE: The Teatro Room, Casa Italiana Columbia University, Morningside Heights campus 1161 Amsterdam Avenue at West 118th Street, Manhattan Transit: 1 train to 116 Street/Columbia University

SPONSORS: The Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Institute; Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs