Ron Klain is old-school — a throwback to the time of FDR and Ike, when the country’s leaders in Washington had the benefit of wise men of both political parties who were available at a moment’s notice to help deal with important national problems.
In any challenging situation, leaders must have the ability to make decisions, communicate those decisions and then execute on those decisions — all while not becoming lost in the fog of crisis.
Ron Klain’s deep experience in government, the law and business has prepared him well to make and carry out the difficult decisions that will be necessary in the coming weeks and months.
Just as important to prevailing in this crisis is the steadfast maintenance of the government’s credibility. Once that credibility is damaged, it becomes very difficult to repair. Protecting the government’s credibility requires discipline, transparency and accountability.
And that is why it is so important that Ron Klain has accepted this incredibly challenging assignment.
Klain is the rare person who has at the highest levels successfully played the three levels of crisis chess: policy, communications and governing. Throughout his career, Klain has demonstrated again and again that he is a chess master in these complex and trying situations.
With Ron Klain now leading the nation’s efforts, we can all expect to see the government’s response managed with a firm hand, with decisions made forthrightly and openly and with all of Washington’s resources brought to bear both here and abroad in a highly coordinated and effective way.
Mark Fabiani and Chris Lehane are the principals at the crisis management firm Fabiani & Lehane LLC. They worked extensively with Klain in the Clinton administration, in Al Gore’s 2000 presidential campaign and during the Florida recount.
