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Send me something to look at.


Harvard Faculty Club ( the venue) has the look and feel of an old country club. Probably people sitting at rounds…though there are several conference rooms so I can take a look if you guys know which one specifically youre going to.


From: Hunter Biden [mailto:hbiden@rosemontseneca.com]
Sent: Thursday, April 14, 2011 12:22 AM
To: Tomasini, AnnMarie
Subject: Thoughts---/


This is what I am thinking (see below) but look at agenda of conference and see how I pull this off without being a total bore. I need to be able to read a text with out panicking internally because I am reading a text. Also I think the only way I don't feel embarrassed being there and taking 10-25 minutes of anyone's time is to be be slightly provocative and press the envelope.


Everyone else is going to either praise the spaniards or talk about the technical difficulties of doing business across the ocean etc.


I want to say- if appropriate- that the EU (Spain in alt energy/ infr) sits at a moment in time in which we can change the world but only if we recognize our common values and aspirations and not get bogged down by our petty arguments over thing that are inconsequential in the grand scheme of things.


To that end see below:


Let's look at some of JRBs speeches and debate whether I should use a power point-like format with graphs and charts etc... In some ways that is easier but also can become boring.

The aim here is not to be too lofty but also not too mundane. I'd like to be sufficiently provocative without being a news story. I'm looking for a little originality.

I can get through reading a speech for 20 minutes if I know that I am in some way engaging my audience. If I am just repeating what has already been said than I get nervous. Perfect example is last HNTB board mtg.

We know what is provocative. We also know what is beyond that. Let's run up against the line.


Some ideas:


1. It has to be more than a recitation of all the "good things" infrastructure and green investment bring.
2. It has to be more than a call for more investment and better government regulation/ incentive
3. It should be something that challenges the status quo. The status quo of the greens incredulity over out failure to act and the status quo of "old energy's" antipathy
4. It should be over the top pro American-- we are the innovators, we are the implementers, we are...
5. It should be about the possibilities, potential and opportunity of the American marketplace.
6. It should be honest about the reality of our system but also honest about the fact that their is no system better.
7. Read first chapter of George Friedman book- next 100 years.
8. Include a 2 minute litany of the world we find ourselves in- turmoil in the middle east, a near miss depression, insecurity of the middle class, high unemployment, continued difficulty to access credit, uncertain regulatory environment etc.
9. A full throated defense of how the Obama administration has championed infrastructure, green jobs and tech transfer.
10. Why Spain is a perfect partner- shared sense of values, ahead of us on green energy deployment etc.
11. My personal experience- Amtrak, Ormizabal, CAF, Iberdrola.
12. A much broader possible conclusion: that the world is no longer divided into four competing economic powers (us, Russia, Japan, Europe). It is now divided into 3: US and allies, China and the rest of the world. Economic power should no longer be seen as being simply geographically based but values based. US, EU, Japan v. The rest of the world. Open society v. autocratic societies. (who will join us and who will join autocrats- i.e. Brazil, Russia, Middle East etc).
13. Where will the open societies go from here. Will we continue to allow our politics to dictate our policy or will we agree on some fundamental truths- such as climate change and it's impact, need for infrastructure that out paces rest of world etc...
14. Conclusion: we have a choice that is generational, that requires leadership beyond those burdened by the necessary democratic/ political process. We have a choice as corporations and individuals to put profit on par with progress.

R. Hunter Biden

Rosemont Seneca Partners

202-333-1880