Thursday, October 20, 2011

Met again in WH Situation Room with Denis McDonough chairing and the same people there with Tom Frieden by videoconference. Continued discussion about “Blue Sky”. I again vigorously defended the concept of our golden opportunity at this point. Problem is that OMB feels that we will never get new money passed through Congress and State might have to “eat” the $2.5 billion if we actually pursue Blue Sky. I suggested getting group of CEOs involved (as per my upcoming WSJ – CEO Council meeting that I will chair on Nov. 15). Denis thought that it was a great idea and will bring it to the POTUS. Again, budget problems may stand in the way of a visionary breakthrough of “tipping” the pandemic.