Karen Hughes & Howard Dean

An Evening with Karen Hughes and Howard Dean

Karen Hughes
A longtime advisor to President Bush, Ambassador Karen Hughes traveled at his side during both his presidential campaigns and served as Counselor to the President for his first 18 months in the White House. As Counselor, she worked on major domestic and foreign policy issues, led the international communications effort in the first year of the war against terror, and managed the White House offices of Communications, Media Affairs, Speechwriting and Press Secretary. Described as the "most powerful public diplomacy czar in decades" by The Boston Globe, her work as a global leader was clearly represented in her accomplishments as Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy from August 2005 to December 2007. As one of the highest ranking officials at the U.S. State Department, Karen Hughes led America’s efforts to communicate with foreign publics, confronted ideological support for terrorism and participated in foreign policy development.

Howard Dean
Howard Dean's groundbreaking campaign for the U.S. Presidency and subsequent four years as Chairman of the Democratic National Committee have provided him with both an insider's view and a reformer's commitment to the economy, foreign trade policy and international relations. His 12 years as Governor and his Chairmanship of the National Governor's Association have given him a vast knowledge of domestic issues. His skillful stewardship of the party as Democratic National Committee chair began in 2005 and continued through the inauguration of President Barack Obama. As Chairman of the Democratic National Committee, Governor Dean made the Democratic Party competitive in every race, in every district, in every state and territory, while integrating national and state party operations and standing up for Democrats' core values.