Tom Kean: A Unique Public Figure
Steve Adubato, Ph.D.

President George Bush could not have picked a better person to head the independent commission investigating the September 11 attacks. After former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger declined the offer, the President was smart enough to turn to former New Jersey Governor and current Drew University President Tom Kean. This commission has a very serious and difficult task before it that Tom Kean is more than up to.

The thing that is so impressive about Kean is that he seems to get along with everyone in a state known for political backbiting, name calling and double dealing. I have known Governor Kean for 20 years. When I was elected as a Democratic legislator in 1983, Kean was a Republican governor seeking a Republican legislature. He campaigned against me. When I was elected, we disagreed on a variety of issues. He vetoed several of my bills and I voted against several of his proposals. In 1985, when I ran for reelection, Kean was heading the Republican ticket. He crushed his Democratic opponent for governor and along with several other Democrats, I lost my seat in the legislature.

That's the funny thing about Tom Kean. You can't hold much of a grudge against him because he is too decent a guy. Whether you are his opponent in an election, you disagree on some policy or you are a journalist pressing him on a particular issue, Kean is always a gentleman. He is charming and gracious. He has strong views, but he has a well-earned reputation for being fair and listening to the views of others. Simply put, he gets along with the other kids in the class. That quality more than anything else together with his commitment to serve this President (and more importantly the families who lost loved ones) is why this choice makes good sense.

Some have criticized Kean's lack of experience in foreign policy or the fact that he hasn't dealt much with intelligence matters. But that is not what heading this commission is all about. Others on the committee have that expertise. Kean's job is to facilitate a serious dialogue and press forward on sensitive issues. His job is to listen to others and get committee members to listen to each other. His job is to move the committee in a clear direction without forcing his will down the throats of his colleagues. That is what he did as governor of New Jersey. That's what most observers, including a difficult to please student body, say he does as president of Drew University.

It's not an accident that the only book Tom Kean authored is called "The Politics of Inclusion." While the book's title specifically refers to the fact that Kean received nearly 60 percent of the black vote when he ran for re-election in 1985 (unheard of for a Republican), it's also the way he has lived his public life. What many forget is that back in the early 1970s when the state assembly was evenly divided between Democrats and Republicans, Tom Kean became the Speaker of the Assembly by getting the votes of several Democrats. Again, this is unheard of in this state. (Consider that the State Senate today has two co-presidents because of a 20-20 split between the parties.)

While this appointment brings honor to New Jersey, it is also a very savvy move for President Bush given the fact that Trent Lott's troubles have been a nightmare for the National Republican Party. Appointing Tom Kean to head this commission helps the President and his party. It helps moderate Republicans as well as Independents and Democrats feel more comfortable.

It is rare that a columnist or commentator writes such a positive piece about a politician. It's our job to largely be critical of these highly visible figures. But there aren't many public figures worthy of this kind of praise. Simply put, if more elected officials and government leaders acted like Tom Kean, this state and nation would be a lot better off.

Steve Adubato, Ph.D. is a commentator, lecturer and former state legislator. Dr. Adubato is also an Emmy Award-winning television anchor and syndicated columnist.
He can be reached by fax (973) 509-1659 or e-mail him at sadubato@aol.com.

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