Bob Kerrey is Managing Director at Allen & Company. He is also Executive Chairman of the Minerva Institute for Research and Scholarship, supporting The Minerva Project, an exceptional liberal arts and sciences education. From 2001 to 2011 Kerrey was President of The New School, a university founded on democratic ideals and daring educational practices. On his watch, The New School experienced unprecedented growth in enrollment, faculty, scholarships, capital projects, research, and international engagement. From 1989 to 2001 Bob Kerrey represented Nebraska in the Senate, where he promoted equity for rural communities, led in farm and environmental legislation, strengthen taxpayers’ rights, led in restructuring our intelligence agencies, and partnered with local leaders to build projects of lasting value to Nebraskans. His public service since leaving the Senate includes the 9/11 Commission, the advisory board of the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans Association, co-chair of the Concord Coalition, and a member of the Natural Resources Defense Council. Prior to his Senate service, Bob Kerrey served one term as Nebraska’s Governor. Before entering politics he was a businessman who helped build a chain of restaurants and health clubs employing over 1000 people. Kerrey served as a U.S. Navy SEAL during the Vietnam War. For his service, he received the Medal of Honor. While in Vietnam, he was wounded, permanently disabled, and received from this injury a great gift: sympathy for those who are suffering and an appreciation for the capacity of government to save your life. Senator Kerrey earned a BS degree in Pharmacy from the University of Nebraska. He is married to Sarah Paley and lives in New York. They have a 16-year-old son, Henry, and the senator also has two children from his previous marriage, Ben and Lindsey Kerrey, and four grandchildren.
no
00:00
start listening
Episode 72
Senator Bob Kerrey
9/11 Terror Attacks & the Saudi Government Connection | Sen. Bob Kerrey
Bob Kerrey is Managing Director at Allen & Company. He is also Executive Chairman of the Minerva Institute for Research and Scholarship, supporting The Minerva Project, an exceptional liberal arts and sciences education. From 2001 to 2011 Kerrey was President of The New School, a university founded on democratic ideals and daring educational practices. On his watch, The New School experienced unprecedented growth in enrollment, faculty, scholarships, capital projects, research, and international engagement. From 1989 to 2001 Bob Kerrey represented Nebraska in the Senate, where he promoted equity for rural communities, led in farm and environmental legislation, strengthen taxpayers’ rights, led in restructuring our intelligence agencies, and partnered with local leaders to build projects of lasting value to Nebraskans. His public service since leaving the Senate includes the 9/11 Commission, the advisory board of the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans Association, co-chair of the Concord Coalition, and a member of the Natural Resources Defense Council. Prior to his Senate service, Bob Kerrey served one term as Nebraska’s Governor. Before entering politics he was a businessman who helped build a chain of restaurants and health clubs employing over 1000 people. Kerrey served as a U.S. Navy SEAL during the Vietnam War. For his service, he received the Medal of Honor. While in Vietnam, he was wounded, permanently disabled, and received from this injury a great gift: sympathy for those who are suffering and an appreciation for the capacity of government to save your life. Senator Kerrey earned a BS degree in Pharmacy from the University of Nebraska. He is married to Sarah Paley and lives in New York. They have a 16-year-old son, Henry, and the senator also has two children from his previous marriage, Ben and Lindsey Kerrey, and four grandchildren.
In this week’s episode of Hidden Forces, Demetri Kofinas speaks with former US Senator and Governor from the great state of Nebraska, Bob Kerrey. Senator Kerrey currently serves as Managing Director at Allen & Company. He is also Executive Chairman of the Minerva Institute for Research and Scholarship. Senator Kerrey also served as one of the ten members of the 9/11 commission, tasked with investigating the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001.
In this conversation, Senator Kerrey shares stories of his experience growing up in 1950’s and early 1960’s America, his service in Vietnam, and the life-altering injury that sent him down a path of service, first as Nebraska’s governor and later, as its senator. We discuss both the cultural, as well as the political transformations that have overtaken American society throughout the course of his life, as well as how the media and social media have altered the political landscape and introduced new challenges to governing and elections that are altogether new. We discuss the tremendous wealth divide currently present in the country, the role of the 2008 crisis and its aftermath in furthering that divide, and the emergence of populism, both on the left and on the right, as a powerful new force that is shaping American politics in ways that we are only just begging to appreciate.
We also discuss Senator Kerrey’s work on the 9/11 commission, the role that the Saudi government played in orchestrating the September 11th attacks, as well as Demetri’s questions about why the Bush administration and the media refused to hold the Kingdom accountable for its involvement. This part of the conversation can be accessed as part of our premium subscription, available through the overtime tab on our website.
Bob Kerrey is Managing Director at Allen & Company. He is also Executive Chairman of the Minerva Institute for Research and Scholarship, supporting The Minerva Project, an exceptional liberal arts and sciences education.
From 2001 to 2011 Kerrey was President of The New School, a university founded on democratic ideals and daring educational practices. On his watch, The New School experienced unprecedented growth in enrollment, faculty, scholarships, capital projects, research, and international engagement.
From 1989 to 2001 Bob Kerrey represented Nebraska in the Senate, where he promoted equity for rural communities, led in farm and environmental legislation, strengthen taxpayers’ rights, led in restructuring our intelligence agencies, and partnered with local leaders to build projects of lasting value to Nebraskans.
His public service since leaving the Senate includes the 9/11 Commission, the advisory board of the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans Association, co-chair of the Concord Coalition, and a member of the Natural Resources Defense Council.
Prior to his Senate service, Bob Kerrey served one term as Nebraska’s Governor. Before entering politics he was a businessman who helped build a chain of restaurants and health clubs employing over 1000 people.
Kerrey served as a U.S. Navy SEAL during the Vietnam War. For his service, he received the Medal of Honor. While in Vietnam, he was wounded, permanently disabled, and received from this injury a great gift: sympathy for those who are suffering and an appreciation for the capacity of government to save your life.
Senator Kerrey earned a BS degree in Pharmacy from the University of Nebraska. He is married to Sarah Paley and lives in New York. They have a 16-year-old son, Henry, and the senator also has two children from his previous marriage, Ben and Lindsey Kerrey, and four grandchildren.
Demetri Kofinas is a media entrepreneur and financial analyst whose mission is to help uncover the hidden forces and pivotal patterns shaping our lives. His contrarian perspective and critical-thinking approach has helped hundreds of thousands of people make smarter, informed decisions. This same methodology has helped guide Demetri’s decision-making as an early-stage investor and as a creator of several innovative media properties and live events.
Demetri Kofinas is a media entrepreneur and financial analyst whose mission is to help uncover the hidden forces and pivotal patterns shaping our lives. His contrarian perspective and critical-thinking approach has helped hundreds of thousands of people make smarter, informed decisions. This same methodology has helped guide Demetri’s decision-making as an early-stage investor and as a creator of several innovative media properties and live events.
Demetri Kofinas is a media entrepreneur and financial analyst whose mission is to help uncover the hidden forces and pivotal patterns shaping our lives. His contrarian perspective and critical-thinking approach has helped hundreds of thousands of people make smarter, informed decisions. This same methodology has helped guide Demetri’s decision-making as an early-stage investor and as a creator of several innovative media properties and live events.
Demetri Kofinas is a media entrepreneur and financial analyst whose mission is to help uncover the hidden forces and pivotal patterns shaping our lives. His contrarian perspective and critical-thinking approach has helped hundreds of thousands of people make smarter, informed decisions. This same methodology has helped guide Demetri’s decision-making as an early-stage investor and as a creator of several innovative media properties and live events.
Demetri Kofinas is a media entrepreneur and financial analyst whose mission is to help uncover the hidden forces and pivotal patterns shaping our lives. His contrarian perspective and critical-thinking approach has helped hundreds of thousands of people make smarter, informed decisions. This same methodology has helped guide Demetri’s decision-making as an early-stage investor and as a creator of several innovative media properties and live events.
