Weinstein is president and CEO of the Hudson Institute, a conservative think tank. You first came to the nation’s capital from where?
From New York City, as an intern in 1979. I joined Hudson in 1991, but we were based in Indianapolis then. I moved to Washington, D.C. in 1994.
What is your most recent book?
“The Essential Herman Kahn: In Defense of Thinking” (Lexington Books, 2009, with Paul Aligica).
Hudson Institute is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. What is unique about Hudson?
Our intellectual culture: a culture of openness, genuine inquiry, and a willingness to ask tough questions, with a determination to maintain a guarded optimism about the future in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges.
Where do you think Hudson has its greatest impact in the country’s public policy debate?
First, defense policy and strategy: During the Cold War, from civil defense to missile defense; to strategies against radical Islam today. Second, economics research promoting growth and innovation, in both the developed and developing worlds from the 1960s to today. Our single greatest success was designing the Wisconsin Works welfare-to-work program in 1994 for then-Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson that became the model for national welfare reform.
What’s the Herman Kahn Award?
An award honoring visionary leaders, given in memory of our founder, Herman Kahn, who was a colorful personality with an off-the-charts IQ, who pioneered scenario planning for defense policy, future studies, as well as pro-growth economics. [Tuesday night] at our gala 50th anniversary dinner, we’re honoring Sen. Jon Kyl. Presenting the award is [fellow Arizona Republican] Sen. John McCain.
Are you an optimist or a pessimist about America’s future?
In line with Hudson tradition, I am a guarded optimist. America should have a very bright future ahead, but to get there we have to reverse current policies and keep our national security strong and allow the spirit of innovation to flourish.
– Mark Tapscott
