A documentary on Tom Kean by Anthony Cicatiello and John Neiswanger of CN Communications, titled Tom Kean: The Politics of Possibility, looks at the former New Jersey Governor’s political career and his chairing of the 9/11 Commission. Quite a few of my photos are used throughout the film.
From the film’s website:
“Tom Kean: The Politics of Possibility” is a profile of a life dedicated to public service. From the freshman bench in the New Jersey State Assembly to the Chairman’s seat on the 9/11 Commission, Tom Kean’s career of public service is a fascinating story of a man who achieved great success in politically charged environments while earning the respect and admiration of those he led.
In today’s bitter, politically polarized environment, politicians and voters alike have a lot to learn from the unique example of Governor Tom Kean.
The film explains the ways in which Kean used personal appeal and a cooperative ethic to achieve bipartisan success.
The film features interviews with Senator John McCain and 9/11 Commission Co-Chairman Lee Hamilton, and includes archival footage of Kean’s political career through the 9/11 Commission.
Executive produced in 2006 by Anthony Cicatiello and John Neiswanger, Chairman and President of CN Communications, respectively, Tom Kean: The Politics of Possibility is supplied by The Community Foundation of New Jersey and presented by American Public Television through the Exchange service at no cost to public television stations nationwide.”
“In 20 years in and out of Washington, I’ve never seen anything like Governor Kean.”
Philip Shenon (Reporter, The New York Times)
“Tom’s very patient and he really works hard at understanding the other person’s point of view and asking himself, how can we reach an agreement? Those are really fundamental political skills that he possesses in an extraordinary way and clearly marked the path of success for the Commission.”
Lee Hamilton (Co-Chair, 9-11 Commission)
“He was an agenda setting governor, who came up with strategies, some of them new. And then he was very good at persuading half the people from New Jersey to do things the way he wanted it done.”
Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tennessee)
“He made politics a positive thing and a thing that would affect people’s lives in an in-depth way.”
Greg Stevens (Governor Kean’s Chief of Staff)
See the film’s website for further details and availability.
