Greta Van Susteren is only media person to sit on board of newly-formed civil discourse institute

By Chris Ariens 

Fox News host Greta Van Susteren has been asked to sit on the board of the National Institute for Civil Discourse – a nonpartisan center for debate, research, education and policy about civility in public discourse. The institute’s honorary chairmen are former Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. The center opened today at the University of Arizona in Tucson and was created in the aftermath of the January shootings which killed six people and injured 13 others, including Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ). Writes Van Susteren on her blog:

I have written many times here on GretaWire how we should aggressively challenge and debate politicians, each other etc on policy grounds but not get personal (or worse.)

I received a call asking if I would serve on the newly created Institute Board – see below – and I jumped at the chance. I was flattered to be asked and eager to do whatever I can to help and serve. Count me in!!

Advertisement

Former Supreme Court justice Sandra Day O’Connor and former Senate majority leader Tom Daschle (D-SD) will serve as honorary co-chairmen. Other board members include former secretary of state Madeleine Albright and Ken Duberstein, chief of staff to President Ronald Reagan.

The center will be funded with private donations having already raised $1 million. The


institute plans to organize workshops and conferences in Tucson, Washington and elsewhere nationwide, and will bring together leaders from across the political spectrum to develop programs to promote civil discourse.

“Our country needs a setting for political debate that is both frank and civil,” said Pres. Bush said in a statement. Clinton adds that the new institute “can elevate the tone of dialogue in our country.”

Advertisement