Read Tony's Diary: The Prequel (Part 3 of 8)

Document text

DHHS $7 to 9 billion supplemental 
budget request for FY2006 for Pandemic Influenza Preparedness.  She wanted my 
opionion so that she could transmit this to the Vice President who wants to know what I 
think of the feasibility of the request
Sept. 15, 2005 – Accompanied Sec. Leavitt and Bruce Gellin and Julie Gerberding to 
brief 3 cabinet secretaries today on Pandemic Flu.  Briefed Sec. of VA Jim Nicholson, 
EPA Administrator Steve Johnson and Treasury Secretary Snow.  Got an e-mail from 
Fran Townsend of HSC who mentioned that the President has mentioned that he always 
feels more comfortable when he knows that I am working on important health problems 
(see visit to the POTUS on Sept. 9).
Sept. 19, 2005 – Again, accompanied Sec. Leavitt, bruce Gellin, Julie Gerberding and 
Bill Raub to brief Sec of  Agriculture Johanns and Admininstrator of USAID Andrew 
Natsios on plans for Pandemic Influenza Preparedness.
Sept. 23, 2005 – Had very interesting and enjoyable evening at a reception at the home of 
Mark and Nicole Wallace in honor of Kristin Silverberg in celebration of her 
confirmation (a couple of months  ago) as Assistant Secretary for International 
organizations in DoS as well as her birthday.  Present among many others were a number 
of White House personnel such as Michael Gerson, Josh Bolten, Michael Allen, Randy 
Tobias (DoS), etc.  Interesting part of the evening were the in depth and intense 
discussions that I had with Josh Bolten and Mike Gerson about the difficulties in funding 
the POTUS’s planned programs over the next few years given the fact that Hurricane 
Katrina will cost over $100 Billion and Hurricane Rita is still percolating in the Gulf of 
Mexico.  Important dilemmas – Do you let the deficit explode? Do you cut domestic 
programs (difficult to do since the amount would be trivial compared to what is needed)?  
Do you defund the war in Iraq (impossible)?  Do you abandon all or (as I suggested) part 
of the Tax Cut program?  Very enjoyable and interesting evening. The Wallace’s live on 
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
1274434 – Hawthorne Street, which is 2 blocks from my house.  Christine Grady 
accompanied me.
Sept. 28, 2005 – Sec. Leavitt, Julie Gerberding, Bruce Gellin, General Gordon (CIA) and 
I briefed a groups of Senators on H5N1 influenza pandemic potential in a “top secret” 
briefing at the Capitol.  Among the Senators were:  Ted Kennedy, Barrack Obama, Tom 
Harkin, Durbin, Reid, Patrick Leahy, Max Baucus as well as others.  Typical Washington 
phenomenon ensued – two days later they proposed an amendment to a Defense Bill for 
$4 billion dollars for H5N1 preparedness emphasizing buying Tamiflu instead of the 
balanced Vaccine/Therapy approach that we had suggested.  In addition, they knew (we 
told them) that we were preparing a big ($7-9 Billion) supplemental request for the HHS 
FY2006 budget for vaccines/drugs.  It was clear that they wanted to trump the 
Administration since the bill was proposed by Democrats as well as Frist, who is clearly 
positioning himself to run for President in 2008.  I love it!!
Sept. 30, 2005 – Appeared again (many times now) on the Lou Dobbs CNN Show to 
discuss bird flu.  He obviously respects me very much.  Of note, lately the DHHS people 
in OC (Bill Hall, Suzy DeFrancis Christina Pearson, and mostly Patti Conrad– I am not 
sure who is the culprit) have been hijacking the media requests for me when we ask for 
permission (routine) to accept.  Usually these are “rubber stamp”; however they are 
trying to insert the secretary on shows that specifically ask for me.  I feel that this is fine 
since the Secretary should trump everyone.  However, they are lying about it since they 
are telling us that when they offer up the Secretary, the shows are glad to have the 
Secretary instead of me.  However, I heard directly from Wolf Blitzer of CNN that he had 
specifically asked for me.  The DHHS people called him up and said that I could not do it 
since I had a prior commitment and they suggest that the Secretary take my place.  We 
had made it perfectly clear to the DHHS people that I was totally free and able to do it.  
They are really acting poorly.  Why do not they just say that they want to insert the 
Secretary and not lie about it and give the networks the choice of me versus the 
Secretary.  I guess I have no recourse.  At the end of the day it will backfire on them.
Oct. 6, 2005 – A fever pitch is on about the Pandemic Influenza preparedness related to 
the heightened awareness of the potential, the fact that new cases were seen over the past 
few weeks in Indonesia, the POTUS giving a speech before the UN General Assembly 
about the need for international preparedness, the meeting of Sec. Leavitt and I and others 
with CEO’s off pharmaceutical companies, and a series of briefings that Leavitt, Bruce 
Gellin and I have been giving to members of Congress and Senators.
Many media appearances by me despite the above steering to Leavitt.  Leavitt 
himself has been terrific.  We are quite a team with the media and the briefings.  
Today, Leavitt and I briefed the POTUS in the Oval Office at 1:00 PM.  Hot 
sticky day for October.  The POTUS had the usual extremely attentive and warm 
receptions for me.  He joked that he had mentioned my name at a press conference that he 
held yesterday and he does that whenever he wants to appear smart.  He just mentions my 
name and people assume that he knows what he is talking about.  We had a few laughs 
about other things also.  At the briefing were the usual cast of characters including: the 
VP, Andy Card, Josh Bolten Scooter Libby, Dan Bartlett, Scott McClellan, Fran 
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
128Townsend, Tevi Troy, Rajeev Venkayya, Candi Wolff, etc.  We briefed him in 
preparation for the meeting that is will have tomorrow in the Roosevelt room with the 
CEOs of Pharma to encourage them to help us prepare for pandemic flu.
Oct. 7, 2005 – More media appearances, NBC, CNN, German TV, BBC, etc.  Leavitt and 
I helped POTUS in the Roosevelt room talk with the CEOs regarding how we can engage 
them in building a vaccine production capacity.  The POTUS heard from them what I had 
told him the previous day, i.e. that we much revitalize the production capacity not just for 
H5N1, but we must create a sustainable market and capacity for seasonal flu that will 
then provide a major head start in the event of a pandemic flu.  CEOs present were: 
David Mott of MedImmune, David Williams of Sanofi-Pasteur, JP Garnier of GSK, Dick 
Clarke of Merck and Howard Pien of Chiron.  Again, the POTUS was very interactive 
with me when he came in and left.  He concentrated heavily on the CEOs during the 
meeting.  Afterwards, Scott McClellan had Leavitt and I give a press conference in front 
of the White House.  Multiple cameras, etc.  I will leave for SE Asia tomorrow with 
Leavitt to visit Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Viet Nam, and Indonesia.
October 8 – 18, 2005 – Trip to SE Asia as part of delegation of Secretary of HHS 
Michael Leavitt.
Countries visited – Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Viet Nam, and Indonesia.  Purpose of the 
trip was fact-finding in association with the threat of an H5N1 pandemic influenza. 
Delegation included Michael Leavitt, Paula Dobriansky (Under Secertary of State for 
Global Affairs), Jong-Wook Lee (Director-General, WHO), Kent R. Hill (Acting 
Assistant Adm. For Global Affairs, USAID), James Butler (Deputy Under Secretary of 
Agriculture for Farm and Foreign Agriculture Service), Suzy DeFrancis (Assistant Sec. 
for Public Affairs, DHHS), Julie Gerberding, Margaret Chan (Assistant Director general 
and Rep of WHO for Pandemic Influenza), H.E. Changchui (Assistant Dir.-Gen., Food 
and Agriculture Organization – FAO-), Alejandro Thiermann Pres. World Organization 
for Animal Health – OIE ), Kenneth Bernard (Advisor to WHO Dir. Gen.), William 
Steiger, Kerry Weems (Deputy Chief-of-Staff, DHHS), Vaughan Turekan (Special 
Assistant to Paula Dobriansky), Allyson Bell (Director, Scheduling and Advance, 
DHHS), Jay Hodes and Michael Lonetto (Security).
Please see files for details of whom I met and when.  I will list some of my impressions 
below.
Major impression of the trip was the consistencies as well as the variabilities of 
the 5 countries visited.  Thailand was certainly the most advanced.  They were taking 
very seriously cleaning up and keeping clean the commercial poultry industry.  They 
export chicken (mostly parts pre-cooked) all over the world.  The problem is with the 
small farmers who have variable number of chickens in their back yards.  
The most disturbing yet very interesting was Cambodia due to a society that was 
still trying to recover from the Khmer Rouge genocide.  It is a beautiful people; very 
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
129sensual looking. Men almost effeminate.  The sexuality of both men and woman stood 
out. (This was also seen to some extent in Thailand.) The Institut Pasteur in Phnom Penh 
is the best science they have there.  
I was very impressed with Laos.  I expected a stark, Communist-style society.  It 
was very warm and friendly.  People seemed to look upon us as if we were normally 
there.  They did not stare, nor did they smille too much.  They were “very normal” 
looking.  Bill Steiger and I had a terrific time running around the track in the National 
Stadium.  The Laotian National Track team was practicing there at dusk and we ran until 
it got dark.
Viet Nam was amazing.  Hanoi was a vibrant, bustling exciting-appearing city.  
The most amazing experience was trying to walk across the street with the motor scooters 
and cars going very fast and literally messing into each other from multiple different 
directions. It was incredible that they did not hit each other continually.  The word from 
the CDC folks who were with us was that you needed to just cross the street and not look 
or speed up or slow down.  Just cross at the same pace and the scooters and cars will 
avoid you.  It was scary.  Haiphong was a different story.  It was more stark and gray.  
The Vietnamese women are incredibly beautiful.  We stayed at the Hanoi Hilton – 
beautiful hotel, run by Vietnamese, but very western. It seems incredible now given the 
energy, beauty and talent of these people that we could ever had been at war with them 
for so many years.  Interestingly, they seemed to love Americans.  It appeared to be very 
genuine.
Indonesia was similar to what I imagine Hong Kong to be.  Many skyscapers in 
an Asian country.  The polluted stench in the air was similar to (but not quite as bad as) 
Delhi.  
Oct. 8, 2005  (Saturday)– Left IAD 
Oct. 9, 2005 – Arrive Bangkok via Tokyo on commercial flight.  Met by Ambassador 
Ralph (Skip) Boyce and Health Attaché Jordan Tappero.  Skip was terrific and we hit it 
off very well during the trip.  He knows Jim Huskey from prior DoS activities. He was in 
Beijing with Jim during the Tianman Square incident.  Stayed at Conrad Hotel.   Settled 
in at hotel.  Extremely hot and muggy.  This was just at end of rainy season and we 
expected rain, but got very little throughout the trip.  However, I can remember the heat. 
Visited with deputy Prime Minister in the ornate, but beautiful Government House.  Of 
note, the Deputy PM mentioned how happy he was that Thailand offered assistance to 
USA during the Katrina Hurricane disaster.  Also met with Health Minister Suchai 
Charoenratanakul and Prat Boonyawongvirat Acting permanent Secretary.  Our CDC is 
not entirely satisfied with the performance of the health ministry.  The Thais seemed to 
be fixated on whether and how much Tamiflu the USA will give them for their stockpile.  
We celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the Thai MOPH – US HHS/CDC (TUC) 
Collaboration.  Had multiple meetings and luncheons with United Nations reps and 
NGOs.  Here and elsewhere, we had numerous Press Conferences.  Suzy DeFrancis 
(Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs) clearly did not want Julie or I in the spotlight (see 
above comments).  She literally kept the press away from us so that they would 
concentrate on the Secretary.  The Secretary was cool about everything; Suzy was the 
problem.
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
130    Had a great reception at Skip Boyce’s house.  Typical Ambassador’s house and party.
Oct. 11, 2005 - Next day we toured a typical commercial poultry farm – Charoen 
Pokphand Foods PCL..  Much press.  We all suited up with protective gear (booties, caps, 
gowns, etc.).  The commercial farms are very careful about bird flu and are meticulous in 
preventing infections.  There was no history of infection in these flocks – all infections in 
backyard and small farm flocks.  We visited a small poultry farm and saw the differences 
between commercial and small farms. Had lunch at airport restaurant and took off for 
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Arrived at Cambodia and checked into Raffles Hotel in Phnom Penh.  Got a 
“Country Briefing” from U.S. Ambassador Joseph Adamo Mussomeli.  He is a very good 
guy – relaxed and friendly, but very competent.  That afternoon and evening we met with 
the Cambodian Minister of Health – Nuth Sokhom and signed a memorandum of 
understanding.  Had a reception at the Raffles Hotel and then to bed.
Oct. 12, 2005 – Series of meetings with officials.  Met first with Minister of Agriculture, 
Forestry and Fisheries.  It was clear that Cambodia was far less well-prepared than 
Thailand for a bird and/or human pandemic.
      Met with Deputy Prime Minister and Amb Mussomeli had a firm exchange with the 
Deputy Prime minister in which Joe objected to the fact that the Cambodians had arrested 
a Cambodian Journalist for writing a story negative to the regime.
     Next visited the Institut Pasteur in Phnom Penh.  The Institut Pasteur has 29 foreign 
satellite institutes throughout the world.  Cambodian institute began in 1935, but was 
wiped out by the civil war and then by Khmer Rouge.  It was re-established in 1995.  
Sirenda Vong is a young scientists at the Institut Pasteur who made a very nice 
presentation about their work.  He is a rising star in my mind..  
  Lasted only part of a day.
     Met with King Norodom Sihamoni and toured the Imperial Palace.  The King is an ex-
ballet dancer.  He is single.  
     Visited the Genocide Museum.  The story is horrible. 1.2 million people (10% of the 
population) were murdered, usually following torture over a 5 year period.  After the 
Khmer Rouge took over, they evacuated Phnom Penh and literally murdered anyone who 
was middle class and/or educated.  They murdered people merely if they wore 
eyeglasses.  They had this genocide maniac mentality (similar to the Nazis) of 
documenting everything that they did.  The walls of the museum showed thousands of 
photos of people who were put into the prison (now museum) which was originally a 
high school.  They would photograph them, document their arrest, torture them and then 
kill them.  Either they died of the torture, starvation, etc. or they sent them to the killing 
fields to be hacked or bludgeoned to death.  They kept meticulous medical records of the 
dying and deaths of the prisoners.
We then visited with a group of NGOs who explained to us the problem of 
trafficking in Cambodia.  It is a complex problem since the people who are trafficked are 
usually sold by their family because of poverty.
That afternoon, we flew to Vientiane, Laos and check into Lao Plaza Hotel.  Bill 
Steiger and I had a terrific evening run (right as the sun set) in the National Stadium 
where the Lao National Track Team was practicing.
Released by Chairman Rand Paul

131Had a reception-dinner that night at the home of Amb. Patricia Haslach.
Oct. 13, 2005 – Spent day in Vientiane meeting with a variety of Ministers.  Met with 
Minister of Public Health Dr. Ponemek Daraloy.  He is a good person, well-regarded in 
health circles in SE Asia.  He is an old Pathet Lao.  Visited Mahoset Hospital and then 
visited the Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs..  Signed MOU.  Met with 
Dr. Siene Saphangthong and then in mid-afternoon flew from Wattaya International 
airport to Hanoi, Viet Nam..
Arrived at Hanoi Noi Bai Airport.  Motorcade from airport to downtown Hanoi 
was fascinating as we passed a bustling suburb with extremely interesting “vertical” 
architecture of homes and offices.  Checked into the Hanoi Hilton Opera Hotel.
         
Oct. 14, 2005 – Met with Minister of Health Tran Thi Tring Chien.  Then went to 
National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology and met with its Director Dr. Nguyen 
Tran Hien.  He is a terrific person and I sent him a signed copy of Harrison’s after I 
returned home.
Also met with the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Cao Duc Phat.       
Also, met with Prime Minister Phan Van Khai in a very elaborate Government Palace at 
1 Bach Thao Street, Ba Dinh District with an enormous bust of Ho Chi Minh.  The Prime 
Minister was extremely impressive.  He spoke on all of the issues without notes.  He was 
well-versed and clearly knowledgeable about specific issues.  Had dinner hosted by the 
MOH.
Oct. 15, 2005 – Great experience.  Visited the “wet markets” in Hanoi and got an great 
feel for the bustling nature of this vibrant city.  
     Drove 2 hours 15 minutes to Haiphong and visited Provincial Health Department.  We 
had lunch at Van Tue Restaurant for Government Officials and then went to Viet Tiep 
Hospital to visit their Clinics.  It was in this region that the cluster of cases occurred.  
MOL visited with the family who got sick and who were featured on CNN a few weeks 
ago.  Big difference between Haiphong and Hanoi in that Haiphong is clearly more 
dreary and less vibrant.
Oct. 16, 2005 – Flew to Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Jakarta, Indonesia. Stay at 
Four Seasons Hotel Jakarta.
Oct. 17, 2005 -   Visited NAMRU-2.  Was apparently a problem in that the Indonesian 
government was threatening to cut off dealings with NAMRU-2 because they thought 
that NAMRU-2 was being critical of them.  We finally sorted it out and at the end of the 
day got the president of Indonesia to endorse NAMRU-2.
    We met with Coordinating Minister of people’s Welfare and Coordinating Minister of 
the Economy.  There are issues in Indonesia of difficulty in transparency related to the 
diffuseness of the country.  17,000 islands with a population of 220 million (4th largest 
country by population).
     Met with President Yudhoyono. He was very impressive and knowledgeable.    
     Flew from Jakarta to Tokyo on PM of Oct. 17 and arrived in Tokyo on Oct. 18
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
132Oct. 18, 2005 – Flew Tokyo to Dulles Airport.
Oct. 19, 2005 – “Intrigue” at the White House
Upon return from SE Asia, we have just heard that the overall responsibility for 
Pandemic Influenza will be handed over to the Homeland Security Council (HSC) run by 
Fran Townsend.  Also, DHS will be playing a more significant role.  We believe that this 
relates to several factors: 1) the preparedness planning involves multiple agencies and so 
there is a need for a coordinating entity. 2) The WH is concerned about the fact that it has 
taken so long to get a plan out and now we realize that we need an Federal Plan (all 
agencies) as well as a National Plan (State, Local, Federal).  3) Anxiety about the failures 
of FEMA around Hurricane Katrina and the need to have centralized control over a 
potential disaster (in this case pandemic flu). 4) WH staff wanting to assert themselves
Also, it is becoming more and more obvious how the Public Affairs people at 
HHS are trying to block Julie Gerberding and me from being out front with the Press.  
They keep intercepting requests by the Press for me and Julie to put the Secretary out 
there.  This was seen in SE Asia and again is seen here.  However, there is so much press 
going on that I am getting plenty.  They are, however, sucking off the good offers that I 
get (network TV).  In this regard, I am still doing a lot of CNN
Oct. 19, 2005 – Incredible evening.  U2 gave a concert at the MCI Center in D.C.  Bono 
arranged for premier tickets for Chris and me.  We met with Bono in the hospitality suite 
before the concert and exchanged warm hugs and discussions.  Amazingly, in the middle 
of the concert in front of >25,000 people, Bono dedicated a song (“Miracle Drug”) to me.  
He praised me and said that I was doing wonderful things for HIV/AIDS globally and 
then dedicated the song to me.  After the concert, he invited Chris and me to a private 
reception at his hotel  - The Ritz-Carlton in Georgetown – for drinks and discussion.  
Everyone was bussing that he dedicated a song to me.  I thanked him and we discussed 
the need to keep up the PEPFAR program and make sure that we do not stop drugs in 
people because the program phases out.  There is no sign that the Administration will 
phase the program out after the 5 years are up.
Oct. 20, 2005 – Am wearing thn with exhaustion.  No sooner did I return from SE Asia 
that I had to go to Chicago to receive the 2005 Scientist of the Year Award from R & D 
Magazine.  Took place at a black tie affair at the Navy Pier in Chicago.
Oct. 21, 2005 – Much press regarding trip and updating on pandemic flu.  The whole 
world is getting exorcised.  Chickens now infected in Russia, KazakstanChina, Romania, 
Turkey.  Clearly, migratory birds are bringing the disease West.  Was on CNN, C-SPAN, 
NPR, Bloomberg News, etc.
Oct. 24 – 28, 2005 – Hectic week with bird flu and grand jury indictment of I. Lewis 
“Scooter Libby” for perjury, obstruction of justice and making false statements in the 
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
133investigation of the leak that Valerie Plame was a CIA agent.  She is the husband of Jim 
Wilson who has been criticizing the war in Iraq.
Oct. 24 – briefing by me , Julie, Bruce Gellin and Secretary Leavitt (MOL from here-on) 
of several cabinet members in the Cabinet Liaison Office in EEOB.  Subject – pandemic 
flu.
Oct. 25, 26 – Boston to deliver Baruj Benacerraf Lecture at Harvard and Dana Farber 
Cancer Center.  Nice dinner at Harvey Cantor’s house to celebrate Baruj’s 85th birthday.  
Say Jenny in Cambridge after the dinner on Oct. 25.  Wonderful time with my amazing 
daughter!
Oct. 27 – continue briefing of Hill members.  Briefed Tom DeLay, Steny Hoyer, and 
others.  Incredible attention to pandemic flu in this country.
Oct. 28 – Briefed Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert.  The POTUS will unveil the 
Pandemic Plan at NIH on Nov. 1.  I have been doing considerable press.
Nov. 1, 2005 – POTUS came to NIH to unveil the National Flu Pandemic Plan. Beustiful 
Fall day with crystal clear skies and temperature around 65-70.  I along with Sec Leavitt, 
Elias Zerhouni, Julie Gerberding, and others greeted him as he arrived.  During his 
speech he specifally thanked me for my work.  Attending the speech in Natcher 
Auditorium were several Cabinet Secretaries including Coni Rice, Minetta, Mike 
Chertoff, Johanns among others.  With the POTUS was Karl Rove, Fran Townsend 
among others.  POTUS gave a good speech.  Afterwards, I did a media blitch and 
appeared on CNN Wolf Blitzer, CNN Lou Dobbs, CBS Evening News, Charlie Rose and 
did many print and radio interviews.  Ted Kennedy is concerned about the liability issue.  
He agrees that we should give liability protection to the pharmaceutical companies to 
keep them in the business of influenza vaccine manufacturing.  However, he feels that we 
must also provide compensation for those that might be injured by the vaccine.  He 
appealed to me to discuss this with the administration.  He followed this up 2 days later 
by having his staffer (David Bowen) call me and get more advice from me about how 
they could tackle this problem.
Nov. 2 - 3, 2005 – Testified with MOL, Julie G., Bruce Gellin, and Bill Raub at both the 
Senate and House Appropriations Subcommittees for HELP.  We discussed the 
President’s Plan as well as the more detailed HHS Pandemic Plan.  We were generally 
well received, but there was the usual partisan skepticism on the part of the Democratic 
regarding the fact that the Plan asks the States to put up about 75% of the cost for a 
portion of the Tamiflu that would go to them.  The point was made that the States do not 
have enough resources to do this.  MOL makes the point that this is a co-pay situation 
similar to what is done for prescription drugs in Medicare and Medicaid.    Much press.
Big stuff going on with the indictment of Scooter Libby.  The Democrats are 
trying to drag in the VP and the entire WH, claiming that there was a wide conspiracy to 
cover-up the fact that the WH distorted intelligence to get us into a war with Iraq and that 
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
134Joe Wilson was smeared by outing his CIA wife in order to get back at him for 
disagreeing with the evidence used for going to war with Iraq.
Nov. 3, 2005 – Top secret meeting at EEOB regarding conduct of certain experiments in 
the area of developing countermeasures.  Cannot elaborate because of top secret nature of 
discussions.  More press regarding Pandemic flu  plan.
Nov. 4, 2005 – Tesitified before the House Government reform Committee with Tom 
Davis Chairing. Same cast = MOL, me, Julie, Raub, Gellin.  This was a tougher Hearing 
in that this Committee is generally tough.  Both the Republicans and Democrats gave 
some heat to us.  As usual, the tough ones (Chris Shays, Dan Barton, Henry Waxman) 
were quite deferential to me and so I did fine. Dennis Kucinich made a spectacle of 
himself by pushing MOL on the issue of taking over Roche’s patent for Tamiflu.  
Kucinich wanted a government takeover and MOL argued that this would be a 
disincentive for companies to ever make scarce products (MOL is absolutely correct).
Nov. 5, 2005 – Met Senator Bill Frist at the St. Alban’s – St.Stephen’s/St Agnes football 
game (2:30 PM) at St. Albans field.  Beautiful Fall afternoon.  Temperature = 70 and 
totally sunny. St. Albans won 42-20.  Frist’s son Brian plays for St. Albans (junior year – 
special teams and safety).  Frist discussed a whole range of issues, particularly pandemic 
flu.  He wanted my opinion on the budget bill for flu ($7.1 Billion).  Also, ran into Tim 
Russert at the game.  He told me that he wanted me for “Meet the Press” to talk about 
bird flu within the next couple of weeks.
Nov. 8, 2007 -  Testified before the House Commerce and Energy Committee (Joe 
Barton, Chair).  MOL, Julie, me, Bill Raub.  Topic = pandemic flu.  Somewhat different 
twist.  Much discussion about funding.  Some Republicans such as Barton feel that we 
should not have an emergency supplement, but that we should have offsets.  This is 
contrary to what House Appropriations Chairman Jerry Lewis said at the Appropriations 
Hearing (see above).  He feels that it should be new money.
Nov. 9, 2005 – Spirited Hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on 
Pandemic Flu.  I testified along with Julie G., Andrew Natsios (USAID), and Paula 
Dobriansky (DoS).  Committee chaired by Paul Lugar.  Present at Hearing were Sens. 
Dodd, Biden, Obama, Sarbannes (all Dems.)  They kept pushing Julie and me about “who 
is in charge?”  We explained that it is primarily a health issue and in this regard, Sec. 
Leavitt is in charge.  In the sense that the issue may involve multiple Agencies, this is 
coordinated through the Homeland Security Council and Fran Townsend is in charge.  
They did not like the latter and were pushing for a “Flu Czar”.  We said that this was a 
bad idea.  There was a lot of animated back and forth.
After the Hearing, I met with Olafur Ragnar Grimsson, President of Iceland.  He 
was referred to me by Congressman Ed Markey (D-MA).  He is sponsoring an Icelandic 
Drug Co (“Actavis”) that makes generics for HIV drugs and he wants to get Iceland 
involved in helping out with global AIDS by making 3-in-1 drugs available free to some 
countries and sold at minimal prices to others.  He wanted my advice.  I strongly 
suggested that he contact PEPFAR in the form of Mark  Dybul.  I also suggested that he 
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
135contact “Doctors without Borders” and Bono’s people (Jamie Drummond).  I will help 
them out to connect.  They had already approached Bill Clinton and the Clinton 
Foundation, but felt that they did not really have a substantive network.
Nov. 10, 2005 – Frenetic activity continues.  Briefed together with Bill Raub and Julie G. 
(by phone) and Jerry Parker (Stewart Simonson’s Deputy at OEPHP) Secretary of 
Commerce Gutierrez (he is last of the Cabinet Secretaries to be briefed).  Bruce Gellin is 
in Geneva with Stewart for Global Planning meeting for Pandemic Flu.  They stopped in 
Paris to visit Institut Pasteur.  This was in the middle of the riots around Paris by Muslim 
French Nationals who are enraged at poor living conditions and alleged prejudice in 
French Society against them.  
We also briefed the House Armed Services Committee and I gave a personal 1-
on-1 briefing to my old friend Sen. Barbara Mikulski.  She was gracious and very glad to 
see me.  This evening Sec. Leavitt and I and Michael Osterholm (connected from 
Minnesota) did the Nightline Show with Ted Koppel from D.C.
Nov. 20, 2005 – Press still hot and heavy.  I appeared on “Meet the Press” with MOL, 
Julie Gerberding, and Mike Ryan (WHO) about bird flu.  Many e-mails saying that I gave 
a great interview.
Nov. 23, 2005 – Press activity still very heavy.  I appeared today on the Diane Rehm 
Show and CNN’s “The Situation Room”.  
     Michael Osterholm sent me an e-mail saying that he was concerned that I was saying 
on the air that the probability of an H5N1 pandemic this winter is low.  He says that 
“health reporters” are e-mailing saying that I am giving confusing messages.  I am 
absolutely certain that the “health reporter” in question is Laurie Garrett who is 
inherently hysterical.  I am disappointed in Michael since it is very clear that I am saying 
that the probability of a pandemic (in the broad sense – any new virus) occurring is very 
high based on historical precedence.  However, the probability of there being an H5N1 
pandemic of the scale of the 1918 Influenza over the next month or two is low.  
NONETHELESS, we must assume the worse case scenario and prepare as if it will 
happen in its worse form and it will happen soon.  I have been very consistent about this.  
I am actually asking the actuarial and probability people like Don Burke to figure out if 
we can add some science to this concept.
Nov. 25, 2005 – HHS Flu Summit for States will take place on Dec. 5.  Julie Gerberding 
and I are at collegial “odds” with the DHHS people (Laura Lawlor and John Ogwanobi) 
in that we feel that the Department and the CDC specifically should be the first ones 
discussing the Plan.  The Agenda as of today has MOL (as appropriate) speaking and 
then we bring on Rajeev from HSC, Jeff Runge from DHS, a person from DoA.  Julie 
does not come on until after lunch.  Even I (speaking on the science of flu as I usually do) 
come on before Julie.  There is already concern in Congress and in the Press as to “who is 
in charge”.  I feel that the CDC should be right up front on this.  HHS and MOL are is 
charge, but the major health instrument for preparedness and response is the CDC.
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
136Nov. 26-30, 2005 – Media continues for me with Lou Dobbs, CNN Wolf Blitzer (The 
Situation Room), WTOP radio, CBS News, etc. regarding bird flu.  
     The preparation of DHHS for the States Flu Summit on Dec. 5 is a major mess.  Laura 
Lawlor somehow has taken over the preparation and it seems that no one knows what we 
are supposed to do.  MOL has taken  a major interest in a 75 city tour of himself, Julie, 
me and perhaps others to tell the States of their “responsibility” to be prepared locally for 
a pandemic flu.  Every time this subject comes up, the States push back by saying that 
they have no money and the Federal Government is giving them an unfunded mandate.  
What I see is a clear example of a Secretary who is a good person who has gotten too 
personally involved in an issue and who is doing some of the planning off the top of his 
head and as a result there really is no one truly in charge of making sure something is 
done correctly.  Everyone on his staff (John Ogwanobi, Suzy DeFrancis, Kerry Weems, 
etc.) is afraid to say that the 50 states tour is likely to be a disaster.  They are like a Greek 
Chorus telling him in this case that it is a good idea.  They do not know what the goal is 
or even why they are doing it.  I strongly suspect that Suzy DeFrancis deep-down thinks 
that this is a campaign swing and , frankly, MOL does also to some degree.  I have told 
Stewart Simonson and Bruce Gellin that I feel it would be a disaster.  I do not want to be 
a part of it and have asked Stewart to tell Rich McKeown this.  Rich is the most sensible 
one there and so hopefully I can get out of most or all of the tour.  They want me for my 
credibility, but this is local and state public health stuff, which is not my area.  Also, I am 
hearing that the White House knows how disorganized they are and are getting anxious
   The attacks in the press on Stewart Simonson seem to be winding down, but Sarah 
Luecke of the WSJ will be coming out with a big article.  I have spoken to her and 
hopefully she will give a balanced story.
Dec. 1, 2005 – World AIDS day.  I was invited by the White House to be a Principal at 
the POTUS Speech (EEOB 450).  As with last year, the POTUS specifically recognized 
me as being in the audience for all of the work that I have done in AIDS.  Peter 
Mugyenyi from Uganda was there as was an AIDS mother from South Africa and her 2 
children who had benefited from the PEPFAR program.. 
    Had coffee with Julie Gerberding after the ceremony at Starbuck’s on Pennsylvania 
Avenue and she feels exactly the way I do about the States Summit and the “tour” (see 
above).
Dec. 2, 2005 – Had pre-Table Top preparation at HHS with MOL, Julie Gerberding, 
Stewart Simonson, Bill Raub, Bruce Gellin, Jesse Goodman, Rich McKeon and the entire 
DHHS staff.  I  have concern over these exercise since they are unrealistic and always 
make everyone look bad.  I tried to interject some common sense into the discussions, but 
there were too many people who were acting like they knew what they were talking 
about.  I generally do not like those “group” briefings of the Secretary since everyone 
trials to look smart and few people have a clue of what is going on.
    That evening, went to an incredible affair at the Kennedy Center with Christine. It was 
the Grand Opening of the Family Theater sponsored by the Catherine B. Reynolds 
Foundation Series for Artistic Excellence.  After the show which included extraordinary 
superstars, we had dinner on the stage of the Eisenhower Theater!!.  It was incredibly 
elegant and all the Washington Glitterati were there.  At my table with Chris was David 
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
137Rubenstein of the Carlyle Group, Super-Attorney Bob Barnett, UNICEF President Ann 
Veneman, Former Sen. John Breaux (D-La), Rita Braver (producer for CBS).  At the 
dinner were every media and politico you could imagine.  The dinner was amazing and 
we all had a great time.
Dec. 5, 2005 – Big meeting (“Summit”) at the Grand Hyatt in DC to roll out the plan to 
visit all 50 states to talk up pandemic flu preparedness.  Present were health officers of 
the big cities and all the states.  Presentations by MOL, Julie Gerberding, me and the 
usual cast of characters.  I am very anxious since MOL wants to take me with him on the 
tour to visit 75 locations in all 50 states to talk up preparedness.  I just do not have time 
for this.  Stewart Simonson and even Rich McKeown are aware of this and are trying to 
get me out of it.  However, MOL is so enamored of me that he wants me with him.
Dec. 6, 2005 – Strange article (Profile of me) on the front page of the Wall Street Journal 
by Bernie Wysocki.  It made it look like I have 100s of millions of dollars of biodefense 
money that I dole out at my whim to contractors.  The article was very likely (almost 
certainly) instigated by the lobbyists from BioPort (AVA anthrax vaccine) and from 
Hollis Eden (countermeasures for rad/nuc) who want contract money and did not get it.  
The article was extremely confusing since it mixed up what we do (research) and what 
HHS does (procure via BioShield).  Also, it made it look like there was no peer review 
and that I just hand out money to the “Fauci Club”.
Dec. 16, 2005  Paradoxically, mostly favorable responses to the WSJ article.  Most 
people interpreted it as indicating that I was a powerful player.  Publicity dying down 
about bird flu around holidays.  MOL went on the first of the State trips to Minnesota.  
With the help of Rich McKeown, I got out of the trip.  Julie Gerberding went and feels as 
I do that these series of trips will be a waste of time for us.
Article came out in WSJ by Sarah Lueck on Stewart Simonson with major quote 
by me defending him.  It was a fair article and will likely reverse the trend of bad press 
that he has been getting as being the “Michael Brown of Public Health preparedness”.  
Went to the VP’s mansion for a Christmas Party on Dec. 15 and then went to 
Lessons and Carols at the National Cathedral right afterwards.  Took Stewart Simonson 
and his parents (who are in town for the holidays).
Dec. 16-31, 2005 – Reasonably calm.  Still doing press regularly related to pandemic flu. 
On Dec. 27, 28, 29 did Today Show, Good Morning America, and CNN “The Situation 
Room”, respectively.  Bush popularity polls going up slightly after a terrible year related 
to Iraq, prison abuses, Valerie Plume leak (Scooter Libby, Karl Rove), Katrina, etc.  
POTUS speaking more to the press and admitting more that certain things have not gone 
well.  Am still trying to be low profile in requirement to travel with MOL on his 50 State 
tour.
Dec. 27-28, 2005 – Drove up to NYC with Chris and the girls to do Christmas 
sightseeing and to visit my father who does not travel down to DC/VA for the holidays 
the way he used to do years ago.  Had a great time.  Went to Bryant Park around 42nd 
Street and 5 Avenue (near NY Public Library and saw the Kenneth Cole tented exhibit in 
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
138the Park.  It was a series of photos and plastic molds of foot imprints of people who had 
devoted themselves to fighting the AIDS epidemic.  My footprint was up there along with 
Angelina Joli, Brad Pitt, Whoopie Goldberg, Larry Kramer, Bono and a large number of 
other notables.
Dec. 31, 2005 – Carol Kuntz took Chris, me and the girls on a private tour of the West 
Wing.  It was terrific.  I got an interesting new perspective of the place since I have been 
there so many times over the past several years that I take it for granted and never really 
“look around”.  It was great to have a personal tour and take my time looking at rooms 
and furniture, some of which I have sat in when briefing the POTUS and others.
Jan. 4, 2006 – Met with David Rubenstein, Founder and CEO of The Carlyle Group.  He 
made me an amazing offer to join the firm as head of a Medical Venture Capital 
component of the Group. Compensation projected to be in the millions per year with a 
base salary of $1 million!  Obvious question is whether I want to get out of the classical 
scientific/public servant arena.
Jan. 26-29, 2006 – Attended the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland to 
participate in 2 events: 1) a dinner panel discussion on Pandemic Influenza and 2) a 
plenary panel moderated by Ira Flatow (NPR – “Science Friday”) on Pandemic Influenza.  
Other panel members included David Nabarro of WHO, David Stout of Glaxo-Smith 
Klein, the Minister of Health of Spain.  The meeting was unexpectedly enjoyable in that I 
went to “close-up” panel discussions, breakfasts etc with people like President 
Muschaaraf of Pakistan, President Karzai of Afghanistan, Bill Gates, Bono, Queen Rana 
of Jordan, Bill Clinton, a number of journalists, etc.  I was particularly impressed by 
leaders such as Karzai and Muschaaraf.
The activity and press interest in Pandemic Flu has calmed down somewhat with 
other issues in the news (Supreme Court Justice Sam Alito confirmation, Iraq, the Hamas 
election victory in Palestine, etc.)  Yet I still did a few CNN broadcasts from Davos.
Feb 3, 2006 – Attended Distinguished Lecture Series at Hilton Hotel with Chris.  Lecture 
by Bono to a crowd of several thousand in the Hilton Ballroom.  Bono spoke about his 
vision, etc.  He stopped during the talk to recognize me in the audience as a “hero” of his 
who has done an enormous amount for global HIV/AIDS, particularly in being the main 
player working with President Bush in developing PEPFAR.  Then several times 
throughout the speech when he mentioned global health or AID he would look in my 
direction and mention my name saying something like “I am sure that Tony would agree 
that….”  Bono has been incredibly generous to me in his public recognition of me.  He 
also mentioned that the USA and the world should support his “One Campaign”.  Of 
note, Jenny (Fauci) is a leader among the Harvard students in the One Campaign efforts.
Feb. 3 – March 6, 2006 – Continued intensive interest in the potential for an H5N1 
pandemic influenza with several media appearances. Also, I testified on March 2, 2006 
before the House Appropriations Subcommittee for Foreign Operations together with 
Julie Gerberding, Kent Hill (USAID) and Ambassador Nancy Powell (DoS).  Did Diane 
Rehm show in addition to other media.  Spent an 90 minute lunch briefing the 
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
139Washington, D.C. Bureau of ABC News (particularly George Stephanopoulos’s people) 
on bird flu.
Mar. 7, 2006 – Gave laudatio remarks at a reception in the Dirksen (430) Building at 
6:00 PM (beautiful crisp Winter day) in honor of Peter Piot who was celebrating 12 years 
at UNAIDS.  I reflected about his early days at Projet SIDA in Kinshasa, Zaire with Tom 
Quinn and Jonathan Mann.  Also, honored at the reception was Michael Iskowitz, 
formerly Sen. Kennedy’s Staffer, former White House AIDS Deputy Coordinator and 
recently at AIDS Action.  He is entering a private consulting arena.  Met and spoke with 
Sen. Hillary Clinton who recognized me specifically in her remarks.
Mar. 8, 2006 – Took quick trip to NYC to brief the NY Bureau of ABC News with 
David Westin (President) hosting me.  Afterwards, rushed back to DC to do a 
teleconference with the officials from all of the DC area (MD and VA) school officials 
from private high schools.
Mar. 12, 2006 – Had tea at the Four Seasons with members of the Mothers to Mothers to 
be (M2M2B) an African Program founded by Dr. Mitchell Besser (Rich Besser’s brother) 
and involving HIV-infected South African women who have delivered babies (some 
infected, others not) and who now work with other mothers to be who are HIV-infected 
to educate them, empower them and help them live a positive life.  They are visiting the 
USA at the request of First Lady Laura Bush stemming from her trip last year to Africa 
where she met these women.  The Mothers Program is partially funded by PEPFAR.  I 
will Chair a panel discussion at Georgetown tomorrow where the women will discuss 
their work.
March 13, 2006 – Presentations at the White House (East Room) with Laura Bush and 
Randy Tobias followed by brunch in the State Dining Room. Mrs. Bush thanked me for 
serving as the Panel Chair.  Had good conversations with Kristen Silverberg, Randy 
Tobias, Michael Gerson, Carol Thompson and other White House folks.
   After the presentations at the White House we went to Georgetown (Healy Building – 
Gaston Hall) for the panel discussion.  It was a beautiful sunny an unseasonably hot (84F) 
day for March 13.  Other members of the Program were Gene Falk and Robin Smalley.
Mar. 21, 2006 – First day of Spring 2006.  Had phone conversation with Carol Kuntz 
today and she was concerned that there have been “policy time” briefings with the 
POTUS regarding pandemic flu involving Sec. Leavitt where she thought that I should 
definitely have been included.  The POTUS asked some questions that Rajeev Vankaaya 
and Leavitt could not answer that Carol knew for sure that I would have been able to 
answer.  Carol asked whether I was having a problem with HHS.  I told her not at all, but 
I did mention to her my suspicion that HHS is trying to shed all of the light on Leavitt 
(probably because of his political aspirations) and having him share the spotlight with me 
or Julie Gerberding is something that makes HHS nervous.  We continually see this when 
press ask for me and HHS diverts them to Leavitt when we ask them for clearance for 
me.  Welcome to Washington!!
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
140April 3, 2006 – Over the past 2 weeks, there has been continued medium-high interest in 
the ever expanding bird flu situation with a constant low-level stream of new human 
cases and more countries getting either migratory birds or chicken flocks infected.   
Current number are 188 infected and 103 dead.  Recently, there has been migratory birds 
(mostly swans) infected with H5N1 detected in Western Europe.  France as only country 
with some domesticated chickens and turkeys infected.  They quickly handled it by 
culling.  Other countries such as Italy had migratory bird(s) infected, but no chickens and 
still chicken sales in supermarkets and restaurants has plummeted by as much as 50 to 
60%.  My prediction is that infected migratory birds may (not definitely) make it to USA 
and that there will be very little contamination of chickens because of the agriculture 
controls.  Yet, it will affect (by misperception) the chicken industry.  
    There has been some backlash among people in press about the over-hyping of the 
threat.  I am in good shape here since I have always maintained that the threat, although 
non-quantifiable, is likely low.  This is in contrast to others such as Rob Webster, who 
says that there is a 50% chance that we will have a bird flu pandemic among humans with 
H5N1!!!   I have no idea how he came up with that number.  Also, my friend Michael 
Osterholm is also singing doom and gloom.
April 6, 2006 – Had dinner with Tara O’Toole of the Univ of Pittsburg Biodefense 
Program.  She had just testified at the BioShield Hearing on the Hill and wanted to get 
my perspective on how things were going with the Biodefense effort and if there was 
anything that she could do for me.  I explained to her that the reason the  current 
BioShield effort was not successful was that the Congress did not approve the Bill that I 
and VP Cheney and Scooter Libby had originally proposed.  The Congress limited the 
money to $5.6 Billion instead of an unlimited authorization to draw from the Treasury 
and the Appropriations Committees still controlled how much could be spent each year.  
Also, we could not do advanced development for products.  This put off the big 
companies (not enough money) and the little companies (advanced development) and so 
the process has not been entirely successful.  We are attracting marginal companies like 
VaxGen that cannot get to the goal post. 
April 8, 2006 – Attended the Annual Gala of the National Hospice Foundation at the 
Hilton Hotel on Connecticut Avenue, N.W. where I presented the Global Vision Award 
to Ambassador Richard Holbrooke. At my table were Holbrooke, Margaret Warner from 
the NewsHour, her husband John Reilly, Ann Morgan Vickery  and Bob Kyle of Hogan 
and Harston.  Usual gala-like atmosphere.  Has a chance to catch up with Richard 
Holbrooke, who is currently the President and CEO of the Global Business Coalition on 
HIV/AIDS.  We reminisced about our trip to Africa with Tommy Thompson in 2003.
May 2, 2006 – Dedicated Building 33 as the C.W. Bill Young Center for Biodefense and 
Emerging Infectious Diseases.  Terrific ceremonies with speakers being: me, EZ, 
Secretary Leavitt, Ralph Regula, Bill Young.  Tour of building, many festivities, 
beautiful sunny day.  
May 24, 2005 – Have had continual trickling in of cases of human infections with H5N1 
with most recent count of 218 cases and 124 deaths.  Fifty countries now have birds 
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
141infected and 10 have birds and humans infected.  Of note that about 1-2 weeks ago it 
became apparent that there was a family cluster of 7 cases in Sumatra, Indonesia.  Recent 
evidence strongly indicates that this was human-to-human spread similar to the small 
cluster in Thailand in 2004 where 11 year old girl infected her mother and aunt who 
nursed her in the hospital before she died.  Similar situation in Sumatra where father 
nursed 10 year son and others in family slept in small room while one or 2 people were 
coughing all night.  Bottom line was a media blitz.  I was asked by HHS and White 
House to go to “Pebble Beach” on the  White House grounds and do wall-to-wall 
interviews to allay fears.  Fact is that the cluster looks like it is dead-ending.  I did 
interviews with NBC Evening News, CBS Evening News ABC World News tonight, 
Nightline, CNN Wolf Blitzer Situation Room, WTOP radio, MSNBC TV, etc.  Big time 
exposure.  HHS was very pleased with how I handled this volatile situation.
May 25, 2006 – I have not been recording this type of thing of late even though I have 
gone to several of these, but I went tonight to the 18th Annual National Education & 
Leadership (NELA) Awards Gala at the Omni-Shoreham given by the Sons of Italy.  I 
was the guest of Chuck Conconi (Washingtonian Magazine, formerly columnist for 
Washington Post) and his wife Janelle.  At the Table were Ed Henry (CNN White House 
Correspondent), Lloyd Hand, Mike Petruzzelo (Managing Director of Qorvis 
Communications) and Mr. Thompson (?first name) African American billionare and his 
date Cheryl Lee (CEO of BET).  Pres. Clinton and Hillery Clinton were guest speakers.  
Ran into the usual DC crowd – Sen Chris Dodd, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, Franco 
Nuschese (Owner of Café Milano – who was also an awardee), etc.
June 11 – 17, 2006 –  Went to Tuscana with Chris and the girls for a few days and then 
went on to Genoa for the annual review of the Gaslini Institute.  Wonderful time had by 
all.  Stayed in an amazing converted farm house (to a villa) owned by a friend of Jim 
Huskey’s from the Embassy in Florence.  The weather was amazing – warm and totally 
sunny during the day and cold at night requiring a fire in the fire-place and blankets in 
bed. Sunsets over the Tuscan hills with a glass of chianti was incredible.
June 20, 2006 -  Did a one hour face to face briefing of VP Cheny in his West Wing 
office on pandemic flu.  Also present was Carl Kuntz, David Addington (new chief of 
staff replacing Scooter Libby and Scott Diechman (new health person for the VP).  As 
usual, it was a lively briefing.  It is clear and Carol told me that the VP has said this that 
the VP very much looks forward to being briefed by me.  The day was a typical hot 
sunny 90 degree day in DC.
July 26, 2006 – Has been a busy few weeks with relatively mundane institute issues. 
Weather has been very hot - ~95+ degrees. Two days ago David Stout and Jean-Paul 
Garnier from Glaxo-Smith Kline called and briefed me on the great success of their 
H5N1 clinical trial using their proprietory adjuvant ASO3.  They got terrific results with 
3.8 micrograms X2 with adjuvant giving predictably protective responses in >80% of 
people compared to the Sanofi study (see above) that gave predictably protective 
responses at 90 micrograms X2 without adjuvant in only about 50% of people.
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
142    I spent the greater part of July 26 with the press (mostly print – NY Times, 
Washington Post, USA Today, AP, Phil Inquirer, Bloomberg, Baltimore Sun, etc) as well 
as CNN (Christy Feig).  This is an important advance in trying to prepare for a pandemic 
flu since it seemingly overcomes the obstacle of a prohibitive requirement of high dose.
July 27, 2006 – Went to NYC to participate in the Pandemic Flu Summit at City Hall.  
Part of Secretary Leavitt’s program of visiting every state and some additional cities 
within states to talk about pandemic influenza preparedness.  Mayor Michael Bloomberg 
hosted us.  Secretary Leavitt spoke about the history of the 1918 pandemic in Utah and 
said that he came from a small town.  When it came to my turn to talk about the science 
of pandemic flu, I told the Mayor and the audience that I came from a small town called 
“Bensonhurst” and I brought the house down.  I mentioned that my father was born a few 
blocks away on Elizabeth Street and Grand Street in Little Italy.
The day was sweltering hot and sunny.  I got an exciting ride back to LaGuardia by an 
attractive young security woman named April who works in the regional office of the 
Inspector General of HHS.  She got me through traffic with sirens and blinking lights to 
catch my 3:30 PM Delta Shuttle in order to get to DC in time to pay respects at the 
retirement party of Carol Kuntz at the White House.  In her office in private, I gave her a 
gift of a statuette of Dr. Joseph Kinyoun with the inscription: “To Carol R. Kuntz With 
appreciation from your friends at NIAID”  She burst into tears.
August 15-16, 2006 – Things have been fairly uneventful since last entry (July 27).  I 
was one of the featured panelists at the 16th International AIDS Conference in Toronto on 
August 16.  The session was “25 Years of AIDS – Reflecting Back and Looking 
Forward”.  Each of us gave a 7 minute presentation followed by a panel discussion.  I 
spoke on the “Scientific Response”.  Also presenting was Peter Piot of UNAIDS, H. 
Broadbent (AIDS patient), Gregg Gonsalves, and E. Madraa (African Community 
person).  Session Moderated by Richard Horton, Editor of Lancet, and chaired by Mark 
Wainberg and Helene Gayle (organizers of the conference).
      There were 30,000 people at the conference and about 6000-7000 people in the 
audience for our session.  Of note, a group of USA activist wanted to protest the fact that 
the USG was spending $90 million dollars on prevention this year and they thought that 
all that the USG was doing was purchasing the Orasure quicktest for HIV.  In fact, they 
were incorrect and a good part of the $ was going for actual prevention education.  The 
group was very nice and almost apologized for disrupting my session.  They stormed on 
stage with the usual chanting and signs that said “George, listen to Tony” and “This is 
only a test!” (referring to the Orasure test).  They disrupted me for the agreed-upon 2 
minutes and then let me give my talk.  I started the talk by saying “Thank you for the 
kind introduction” and the audience laughed.  The talk was very well received.  The 
major theme of the meeting was “Time to Deliver”, but the real theme was prevention.  
The meeting was opened by Bill Clinton and Bill and Melinda Gates.  I did a lot of press 
during the meeting and after I returned (Diane Rehm Show).
August 28-29, 2006 – Went to Amsterdam for the AIDS Vaccine 2006 Annual Meeting.  
Invited by Joep Lange.  On the evening of Aug. 28 I was part of a “Town Hall” – type 
meeting in Amsterdam where we discussed “Viral Threats”  The panel consisted of Ab 
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
143Osterhaus of the University of Rotterdam, Marie-Paul Kieny from WHO, Jaap Goudsmit 
from Crucell.  It was moderated by a Dutch TV anchor.
   I gave the Opening Ceremony Keynote lecture on the evening of Aug. 28 and provided 
a “provocative” talk on “An AIDS Vaccine:  Will It Ever Fit the Classical Paradigm?”  It 
was extremely well-received by an audience of about 1000.  Others that took part in the 
Opening Ceremony were Job Cohen (Mayor of Amsterdam), Hans Hoogervorst (Dutch 
Minister of Health), Princess Mabel van Oranje-Nassau (Director, EU Affairs, Open 
Society Institute), Jean-Francois Rischard, Former VP of the World Bank, and David 
Salisbury (Director of Immunization, UK Department of Health).  We had a beautiful 
boat ride down the Amstel River to the Maritime Museum followed by dinner with all of 
the speakers and Joep Lange at the Amstel Hotel.  Charming evening, but the weather 
was raining and cool.
Sept. 3, 2006 – Had a most interesting dinner over Ellen and Gerry Sigal’s house in DC. 
Guest were Sherry Lansing (Hollywood producer – “Fatal Attraction”, Black Rain” and 
former actress) and her husband, Billy Friedken (Multiple Academy Award winning 
Producer, Director and Writer – “Exorcist”, “The French Connection”, etc. )  He is now 
producing (successfully) operas all over the world.  Also there were Joe Wilson, the 
ambassador involved in the big Washington issue of the Administration “misleading” the 
American public about WMDs in Iraq and his wife Valerie Plame , the CIA secret agent 
that was “outted” by Robert Novack’s column and for which Scooter Libby has been 
indicted for perjury.  It was a most interesting discussion.  Valerie and Joe seemed like 
very nice people despite being trashed by the Administration.  Valerie insisted that she 
was still under cover despite the fact that it is reported that she had a desk job when she 
was outted.  Joe, as he has said on TV multiple times, feels that the WH officials are all a 
“bunch of liars”.  Also present were Washington power-lawyer (Watergate, Whitewater, 
9/11 Commission) Richard Ben-Veniste and his wife Donna.
Sept. 12, 2006 – Went to farewell reception at the Atrium of the Equinox Restaurant in 
DC for Michael Gerson (former speechwriter and current Assistant to the President).  
Reception given by DATA (Bono’s group)  Saw old friends their such as Erin Chapman 
Thornton and Jamie Drummond from DATA.  Mike is going to do a regular column for 
the Washington Post and Newsweek.
     Later in the evening went to an “Alliance for Aging Research” dinner and awards 
night at the Four Seasons Hotel in Georgetown at the invitation of Allan Fox of FoxKiser 
Law Firm (old friend – formerly of Jacob Javits and Ted Kennedy staff).  Dinner honored 
Sens. Orin Hatch and Evan Bayh.  During Hatch’s remarks, he specifically mentioned 
that he and I were dear friends and that I am one of the great heroes in medicine and 
public health.
Sept. 13, 2006 – I played a major role in the 90th Birthday Party for Dr. C. Everett 
(Chick) Koop at the Cosmos Club.  I delivered remarks.  The 2 MCs were Hilary Clinton 
and Orin Hatch.  My friendship with Sen. Clinton grows as she continues to be very kind 
and warm towards me.  I roasted Chick a bit, and the audience loved it (see my written 
remarks).
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
144Sept 25-27, 2006 – Trip to San Francisco for International Assoc. of Physicians for AIDS 
Care  (IAPAC) and ICAAC meetings and to speak at The Commonwealth Club.  I gave 
talks on HIV/AIDS – the next 10 years (ICAAC); the decade of HAART (IAPAC) and 
emerging diseases (Commonwealth Club).  The talks and the trip was a roaring success.  
Great weather, spent Sunday with Bob and Colleen Grady and Matthew and my family 
(minus Jenny in Brazil).  Great hotel in SF – the “W” across the corner from the Mosconi 
Center
Oct. 10, 2006 -  Attended the swearing in ceremony for Mark Dybul as the U.S. AIDS 
Coordinator with the Rank of Ambassador at the State Department (Benjamin Franklin 
Room).  Presiding was Secretary Condi Rice with Laura Bush present.  I was given a 
“seat of honor” in the first row – sat next to Michael Gerson (former speech-writer for 
Pres. Bush).  During her remarks, Condi specifically mentioned me – telling the story of 
how this all started (PEPFAR) years ago when the POTUS had his staff including Condi 
in the Oval Office and the POTUS was told by Tony Fauci, who is here with us today, 
that a lot of progress has been made in the treatment of HIV disease so that we could 
have a global impact.
    The day was a beautiful Fall day – bright sun and 75 F.
Oct. 19, 2006 – A lot of political maneuvering regarding the election of the next 
Director-General of WHO  
 Kristen Silverberg (now at State as Assistant Secretary) asked me 
about it at a dinner at Mark Dybul’s house the day before his swearing in (see above).  
The 2 candidates that I prefer are either Margaret Chan (Hong Kong) or Julio  Frenk 
(Minister of Health of Mexico).  Shigeru Omi from Japan, Bernard Kouchner from 
France (MSF), and Pascoal Mocumbi (Mozambique) are also among the contenders.  
Christopher Murray from Harvard called me today to push for Julio Frenk since he feels 
that he is the one who understands best the connection between science and public health.  
He knows that the White House has been and will contact me for my opinion and so that 
is why he called.
Oct. 20, 2006 – Served on a Panel at the Annual meeting of the White House Fellows 
Foundation and Association held at the Chamber of Commerce.  Subject was 
“Community Engagement and Preparedness” relating to terrorist and natural disaster 
threats.  On panel with me was Lee Hamliton, former co-chair of the 9/11 Commission 
and Patricia McGinnis, President and CEO of the Council  for Excellence in Government.  
Had nice conversation with Lee Hamilton who is the Director of the Woodrow Wilson 
Center in DC (he has been a friend for a few years).  Lee has been asked by President 
Bush to join with James Baker to come up with some alternative approaches to settling 
the quagmire in Iraq, i.e. a mid-course correction.
Oct. 21, 2006 – Went to NIAF annual dinner at the Hilton Hotel with Chris.  Usual 
celebrity show. Many friendly interactions with media (David Gregory of NBC; Sam 
Donaldson of ABC;  etc).  Hilarious impersonation of George W. Bush by comedian.  I 
received this award in 1994.  Major awardee tonight was Supreme Court Justice Samuel 
Alito.
Released by Chairman Rand Paul

145Oct. 22, 2006 – Went to the Grand Opening of the House of Sweden (Swedish Embassy 
plus offices and art shows) on Georgetown Waterfront (right next to Sequoia restaurant).  
King Carl Gustav and Queen Sofia were greeting everyone.  Amazingly beautiful 
structure with views of the canal and the Potomac. Crisp Fall night with bright stars.  Of 
note, Queen Sofia asked specifically to speak with me after the greeting line finished 
since she had been told of my work with HIV/AIDS.  She is committed to helping Russia 
with its problem of HIV since she feels that the Russians would be more amenable to 
getting help from the Swedes than from the USA.  She wanted to talk about how we (she 
and I ) could work together on this.  Had good discussion with Kristen Silverberg about 
the problems the Administration is having.
Nov. 28, 2006 – Attended and spoke at the Aspen Symposium in DuPont Circle (DC).  It 
was an unusual gathering of Iranian scientists meeting with various US officials, 
particularly in the Dept. of State and HHS.  I was a main speaker and exchanged 
information with Iranians on HIV/AIDS, TB, and other diseases in Iran.  It was 
surprisingly frank and open given the tense relations between USA and Iran surrounding 
the Iranian nuclear program.  If fact, the Iranians who came to the USA were a bit 
nervous about the political fall-out for them.  I dealt with Kamiar Alaei and his brother 
Arash Alaei on ID issues in Iran. Also present was Dr. Abolhassan Nadim, the Chair of 
the Iranian Epidemiological Association.
Dec. 2, 2006 – Annual Christmas Party at Sam and Jan-Smith Donaldson’s House in 
McLean.  Have been going to these parties for at least the past 10 – 15 years.  The usual 
interesting and warm crowd was there.  This party is probably the most friendly of all of 
the D.C. “glitterati” parties, mostly because of the warmth and friendliness of Sam and 
Jan as well as the fact that the same people come every year +/- whoever is hot at that 
time in the news. Over the years, we have run into virtually everyone who is “known” in 
DC.  Some highlights from this year.  Nice conversation with Colin Powell about AIDS 
in African-Americans.  The recent UNAIDS numbers are out showing that of the new 
infections in the USA, among men, 50% are in Blacks and among women 65% are in 
Blacks.  On Nov. 30, I was supposed to be on the CNN Paula Zahn Show speaking about 
this, but at the last minute, their producer (Marie….) cancelled because she said that they 
have a guest who is really the “face of AIDS, since she got infected from her boyfriend 
by heterosexual sex”.  Turns out the guest is Regan Hoffman, the editor of POZ 
Magazine.  Regan is a beautiful, blond, blue-eyed WASP from Connecticut who clearly 
accidentally got infected from her white boyfriend who was almost certainly bisexual. 
For every one of these, there are 10,000 poor black girls in an inner city area who got 
infected from their drug-user boyfriends.  So there they were: beautiful, blond, blue-eyed 
and wealthy Paula Zahn speaking on TV with beautiful, blond, blue-eyed (likely also 
wealthy) Regan Hoffman smiling and saying how grateful she is that she has all the 
opportunities for treatment.  Her only “concern” is that the mother of her new boyfriend 
was concerned that she was infected; but now all is well because the boy’s mother is an 
“educated person”.  I had watched this on TV and almost vomited.  This was as far from 
the reality of what the “face of AIDS” is than I could ever imagine.  On Nov. 29 at a big 
HIV Prevention Meeting at the Mandarin Hotel in DC chaired by John Bartlett of 
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
146Hopkins and Ken Mayer of brown, one of the themes and the points that I made in the 
press conference is that AIDS in the USA was assuming the face of a young black 
woman.  My good friend Phill Wilson (CEO of the Black AIDS Institute in LA) gave an 
eloquent talk on this subject and he should have been with me on CNN instead of my 
getting bumped by Regan.  I was pissed because that one 5-10 minute segment on Paula 
Zahn likely undid by 100-fold the points that I and Phill were trying to make at the 
conference.  I had mentioned this to my CNN Producer friend Christy Feig and she was 
also appalled and has since brought it up to the CNN Board.  In any event, at Sam’s 
Party, I was still pissed and discussed this with Powell who has been spending time on 
the lecture circuit talking about prostate cancer, particularly in black men.  His comment 
was “What do you expect?…. It is CNN.”   He promised that he would bring  up the issue 
of AIDS in Black America in his lectures.  I have known Colin for years from the time 
that he was Secretary of State and I had briefed him on AIDS and went to the UN with 
him during an UNGASS years ago.  Also, had discussions with my old friend Lee 
Hamilton who is co-chairing the Iraq Study Group that will be giving their report to the 
Congress and the President in a few days.  It will be extremely critical of the execution of 
the Iraq War and rebuilding. Also discussions with – Antonin Scalia, George Will (ABC), 
Nina Tottenberg (NPR), Bob Shieffer (CBS), Bill Plante (White House correspondent) 
and many others.
Dec. 4, 2006 – Things mostly quiet on the NIH front.  Big problems in Iraq that are 
dominating the news with insurgency and civil war.  Bush is having a very hard time.  
Democrats have taken control of House and Senate, mostly by voter protest of the war in 
Iraq.  Had World AIDS Day with usual press interest.  Secretary Leavitt wanted me to go 
to China with him from Dec. 6 to 13; I first said yes, but then backed out since I really do 
not want to travel during this busy period and the purpose of the trip was secondary to my 
interest and involvement, i.e. economic and trade considerations with only a side order of 
health. Jenny Fauci doing great in Brazil. She loves it and will return on Dec. 23.  I am 
getting more and more involved in Global Health issues such as malaria, health care work 
force support in developing nations through the DDCF, XDR tuberculosis, etc.  Have 
given many talks over the past few weeks on these issues.
Dec. 13, 2006 -  I hosted a press conference to announce the breakthrough study that was 
prematurely stopped by the DSMB.  Study was the use of medically supervised adult 
male circumcision in Kenya (Kisumu) and Uganda (Rekai) to determine effect on HIV 
transmission.  Results were striking.  Study was safe and led to a 48% (Uganda) to 53% 
(Kenya) decrease in transmission.  Big printed press coverage including front page of NY 
Times.
Dec. 14, 2006 – Big White House Malaria Summit sponsored by Malaria No More and 
Introduced by Laura Bush with the POTUS giving Keynote Lecture.  Held as ½ day 
meeting at the National Geographic Society Headquarters on 17th Street in DC.  I had 
helped Gary Edson who was consulting for Malaria No More in the scientific background 
for the meeting which was mostly  talks by African Health Ministers, Melinda Gates, 
Faith-Based people (Rick Warren, etc.), Paul Wolfowitz, Margaret Chan (WHO DG).  I 
had nice chats with each of these.   Purpose was to increase awareness of malaria and 
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
147how with little money we can dramatically reduce malaria, particularly in Africa.  Spoke 
of results in Africa of the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) that over the past 2 years 
with $1.2 Billion for bed nets, indoor spraying with insecticides, and ACT (Artemisinin-
combination therapy)  malaria has been markedly decreased in certain countries.  MC 
was Isaiah Washington of “Grey’s Anatomy” TV show.  I met and interacted with the 
usual cast.  Also included Sens. Pat Leahy, Bill Frist, etc.
      VP Cheney’s Annual Christmas Party.  Chris did not come since she was setting up 
for the reception following the Annual Lessons and Carols at the Cathedral (I went later).  
Usual festivities with many people there.  Spent much time talking to Carol Kuntz.  Also, 
Scooter Libby was there awaiting start of his trial for providing false information to the 
Special Investigator (Fitzgerald) about the Joe Wilson/Valerie Plame issue.  Spoke more 
with Isaiah Washington.
Jan. 29, 2007 – Iraq war going very badly with civil war among Shia and Sunnis and 
insurgency running wild.  Bush popularity in USA way down.  The war is dominating the 
political scene in USA and particularly DC including discussions by Presidential 
candidates.  
Went to an interesting dinner tonight at the Metropolitan Club hosted by Dr. Ward (Trip) 
Casscells in honor of the Surgeon General of the Armed Forces of Iraq  - Samir Abdullah 
Hassan, M.D.  I sat next to him at dinner.  Good guy and smart and tough.  He explained 
the disaster that USA inadvertently promulgated by dissolving the Iraqi military.  The 
Provisional government (Paul Bremer) dissolved the Iraqi medical corps and so now they 
do not have any army hospitals or army doctors to take care of the wounded and sick 
Iraqi soldiers.  Also told me that the entire bureaucracy in Iraq (sewer, transportation, 
utilities) was run by the military and so when Bremer dissolved the military he 
completely destroyed the infrastructure of the country.  Samir feels that this was an 
amazing blunder.  Also, by dissolving the police, we now have anarchy in Iraq with 
criminal elements running wild.
Feb. 13, 2006 – Had dinner with Rahm Emanuel (Democratic Caucus Head and brother 
of Zeke Emanuel), Christine Grady, Zeke Emmanuel, Mary Richardson and a 
Washington Post reporter (?name) at Central Restaurant at 1001 Pennsylvania Ave, NW.  
We were in the middle of an ice storm that did not deter us.  Had very interesting and 
enjoyable conversations with Rahm about the Democratic Congress and the potential 
Democratic candidates for President in 2008.  Rahm used to work for Bill Clinton when 
he was POTUS and was part of Clinton’s original campaign team.  Rahm feels that 
Hillary has the inside track because of the Clinton machine, her experience, and lots of 
money.  However, he feels that Barack Obama will give her a tough race.
Feb. 14, 2007 – Briefed Bruce Miller (VP Cheney’s Chief of staff for biodefense) at the 
White House on AIDS, Pandemic Flu, Malaria, and biodefense in preparation for my 
future briefing of the VP that Bruce will set up.
March 5, 2007 – Went to great memorial for Art Buchwald at the Eisenhower Theater of 
the Kennedy Center at the invitation of Art’s son Joel and his wife Tamara.  Many VIPs 
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
148there including Ethel Kennedy, Ben Bradlee, Tom Brokow, Dave Barry, and most 
important people in the media in DC and nationally.  It was a warm and hilarious event 
filled with stories about Art and film clips of him
March 6, 2007 – Busy day.  Unfortunately, Scooter Libby was convicted today on 4 of 5 
counts of lying to FBI and grand jury in association with the Joe Wilson/Valerie Plame 
CIA leak.  Had House Appropriations Subcommittee Hearing today and it went well.  
Also, had a farewell dinner at Oceanaire in honor of Alex Azar who is stepping down as 
deputy Secretary at HHS.  The old HHS crowd was there including former Secretary 
Tommy Thompson.  Had a great conversation with him.  He has put his name in as a 
candidate for Republican nominee for President.  He is optimistic about winning the Iowa 
Caucus.  He discussed with me the best plan that I have heard yet about how to handle 
the dreadful Iraq situation.  Also, at the dinner were Janet Rehnquist, Stew Simonson, 
Scott Whitaker, Bruce Gellin, Lester Crawford (recently convicted for lying on his 
financial disclosure when he was FDA Acting Commissioner), Paula Staudard, and 
others.  Very cold day in DC with temps in the teens.
March 13, 2007 – Briefed Vice President Cheney today in his WH office on second 
floor.  Beautiful “pre-Spring” day with temps around 50 and sunny skies.  He wanted 
briefing on Pandemic flu and biodefense.  I included a discussion about HIV/AIDS 
particularly the great success of PEPFAR since I wanted him to know that this 
Administration has done more than anyone in the world for Global AIDS.  The briefing 
was as usual for the VP and me, i.e. very friendly and expressing multiple times how 
pleased he was to get briefed by me since he enjoys it so much.  Also in the room were 
David Addington (Chief-of-Staff), Bruce Miller (Chief for Biodefense), Steve…? And 
Scott Deitchman.
March 16, 2007 – Have been preparing for a briefing of the POTUS on pandemic flu 
preparedness.  Interesting evolution of process.  The HSC staff (Joel Bagnell and Rajeev 
Venkaaya) want us (HHS) to present a major discussion of “gaps” in stockpiling and 
others want us to just update the POTUS.  Friendly tension going on.  Today, we (me, 
Bill Raub, Bruce Gellin and Eric Hargan – Deputy Secretary) briefed the Deputies in 
EEOB 208 in preparation to brief the Principals and then the POTUS.  Among them were 
junior staffers from WH as well as Rajeev, Joel Bagnell, Bruce Miller, Scott Deitchman, 
Jeff  Runge.  Continued disagreement about what the Secretary (MOL) will ultimately 
present to the POTUS.
March 19, 2007 – MOL, Bill Raub and I briefed the principals today in final preparation 
for the POTUS briefing.  Present were Fran Townsend, Michael Chertoff, Joel Kaplan 
(now Deputy Chief-of-Staff to Josh Bolten), Joel Bagnell, Bruce Miller, other cabinet 
people.  Briefing went better than on March 16.  We are about ready to brief the POTUS.
March 20, 2007 – Dinner at the Mellon Auditorium on Constitution Avenue, N.W. (13th 
Street) for Research! America.  Usual DC Glitterati.  At my table was Susan Dentzer 
(Newshour), Sam and Jan Donaldson, Tenley Albright, Paul Rogers.  Awardees were 
Don Seldin, Joe Goldstein, Mike Brown, Mike Wallace, Sen. Orin Hatch among others.  
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
149George Stephanopoulos was MC and I spent time catching up with him (knew him from 
Clinton White House days).  Was a coldish night outside.  Chris and Meg and Ali went 
off to California (Big Sur/Monterey) for Spring break.  Wish I could have gone, but 
POTUS briefing tomorrow.
March 21, 2007 – Briefing of POTUS today at 2:30 – 3:30 PM in Roosevelt Room on 
Pandemic Flu preparedness.  Secretary Leavitt, Bill Raub and I briefed him.  I did most 
of the formal briefing on state of the threat, vaccines, antivirals and diagnostics. Bill 
spoke on community mitigation strategy and the stockpile.  MOL spoke on overall 
responsibility of the USG versus states.  Present were the POTUS, VP, Karl Rove, Josh 
Bolten, Joel Kaplan, Dan Bartlett, Fran Townsend, Candi Wolff, Mike Chertoff, Paula 
Dobriansky (Undersecretary of State), several people from Joint Chiefs of Staff, Rajeev 
Venkayya, Joel Bagnell.  
    Briefing went very well.  POTUS was as usual very friendly and deferential to me.  
Was at times serious and at times jocular with his characteristic joking around.  When he 
came into the room, he looked at me and said “Fauci, glad to see you Tony.  I see we 
have the first team here today”.  It was the first day of Spring and it was unseasonably 
cold out and cloudy.
March 29, 2007 – Very interesting day. First, Megan received notification that she is 
accepted at Columbia, Barnard, and Yale with waiting list at Harvard and Dartmouth.  
Her top choices are Columbia and Dartmouth and so she will wait to hear more from 
Dartmouth before making choice.
Went to a reception given by National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) given 
at a private home in Georgetown (3032 – N Street, N.W.) in honor of Mayor Adrian 
Fenty.  Got to meet him again and chat.  Did not previously know this, but his mother is 
an Italian American.  Ran into my old idol from Brooklyn – Ken Aspromonte (brother of 
Bobby Aspromonte also my idol from the old days), baseball great from Lafayette High 
School and Brooklyn sandlot baseball who then played in Major Leagues.  He was born 
and raised in Bensonhurst like me and we shared some warm discussions.  Beautiful 
Spring evening.
          After the reception went to Café Milano and had dinner with the NIAF Board of 
Trustees.  Towards the end of the dinner, got up to go to men’s room and ran into Franco 
Nuschese, owner of Café Milano (who has always been very warm towards me).  He 
insisted on taking me into a private party in the restaurant that he was throwing for 
prominent blacks in DC and the nation.  I immediately ran into Secretary of State Condi 
Rice and Colin Powell who were very warm and engaging with me.  This was 
particularly true of Colin Powell who threw his arms around me and gave me a bear hug 
with a kiss on the cheek.  Over the past couple of years, I have gotten to be friendlier and 
friendlier with Colin, having seen him at various functions such as Sam Donaldson’s 
Christmas Party, etc.  All in all, a good evening.
April 17, 2007 – Scooter Libby contacted me and asked that I write a letter to Judge 
Reggie Walton via Scooter’s lawyer William Jeffress to serve as a character reference for 
Scooter.  Scooter has been found guilty of perjury and obstruction of justice in 
connection with the Valerie Plame/Joe Wilson CIA leak (see above).  He is appealing the 
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
150case but may be sentenced to jail before his appeal is heard.  The purpose of the letter is 
to try and keep Scooter out of jail during the appeal.  I wrote him a very supportive letter.
April 18, 2007 – Testified before the House Committee on Homeland Security together 
with Gerry Parker, Jesse Goodman (FDA) and Jeff Runge (DHS) on the successes and 
failures of Bioshield.  Committee chaired by Jim Langevin.  Hearing called because 
several of the companies that were trying for Bioshield procurement contracts had failed, 
i.e. Vaxgen for rPA and Hollois Eden for Neumune (to protect and regenerate BM after 
radiation).  Richard Hollis testified against the USG and Dr. Davis from HGS (that makes 
AbThrax – monoclonal antibody against anthrax toxin) testified favorably towards the 
USG.  Hollis looked like a whiner and the Hearing went fine.  It is clear that Bennie 
Thompson, the overall Chair is in the pocket of the lobbyists as his questions reflected a 
“presumption” of failure on the part of DHHS and BioShield.
April 20, 2007 – Briefed Joel Bagnell and Rajeev Venkayya at the WH on the rolling out 
of justification for classified research.  Some friendly tension between Joel and me in that 
they wanted us (CDC, FDA, HHS, NIH to sign off on the roll-out document and there 
was a phrase in there that did not clarify that we do not do classified research.  It asked us 
to justify with all of our research why it should be unclassified making the default 
position that everything should be classified.  I had them change it to read that we should 
explain why it is not classified as opposed to justifying it as being unclassified.  We came 
to an agreement.
April 24, 2007 – Had lunch with Scooter Libby today at the Daily Grill in the Bethesda 
Hyatt.  Hot muggy and sunny day.  Has been cold up until now.  Scooter looked very 
worn and down.  I gave him a big hug and he looked like he was going to have tears. I 
asked about the trial and he said that they really expected a not guilty verdict and that is 
why they did not pull out all of the stops and ask the VP to testify.  Also, it was clear that 
Reggie Walton was “preening” for this since he had the courtroom wired for the press 
and bloggers which they never do.  He proclaimed complete innocence and is hoping that 
Bush will pardon him.  He is sad that he has not been pardoned already and feels that 
perhaps if it looks like he will go to jail the POTUS will then pardon him.  He feels that 
there are politicos in the WH who do not want the POTUS to pardon him since it will 
make the Administration look even worse that the 30% approval ratings.  I told Scooter 
that I could not imagine that the POTUS will allow him to go to jail, particularly with the 
VP pulling so hard for Scooter.  I spent the rest of the time briefing Scooter about 
biodefense updates.
   Also, had meeting at the White House called by Rajeev Venkayya and Mike Magan on 
XDR-TB including reps from CDC (Julie G. and Ken Castro), HHS (Craig 
Vanderwagen, Gerry Parker) DoD, DHS, State, USAID, Mark Dybul.  Bottom line was 
to coordinate the multi-Agency efforts.  Good meeting. We (NIAID) has already put 
together a strategic plan as has CDC and so HHS looked good.  Mark Dybul mentioned 
that the Policy Time with the POTUS on PEPFAR funding did not go well today.
April 25, 2007 – Had a lunch/reception at the White House followed by a presentation by 
Laura Bush and President Bush in the Rose Garden to celebrate the first ever Malaria 
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
151Awareness Day in the USA.  Day was sunny, hot and muggy.  I was given a reserved seat 
in the second row.  Had major and important conversations during the reception with 
Randy Tobias, Mike Gerson and Josh Bolten.  Apparently, at a meeting with the POTUS 
yesterday on PEPFAR funding, there was some opposition to maintaining the funding 
level.  Likely the major mover of  this restricted funding was Karl Rove.  Condi Rice is 
out of the country, but will be supportive of expanded funding.  Josh Bolten is supportive 
also.  Josh asked me what I thought and I came on strong.  Josh pointed out that this was 
supposed to be a $15 billion program with $3 billion per year for 5 years.  Josh said that 
at the time that I developed the program, I said that we could not absorb the entire $3 
billion in the first years and so we would do more in the later years.  Now the program is 
at $5 billion per year, which means that just to sustain it without increases would cost $5 
billion per year for 5 years or $25 billion.  Many conservatives would oppose this as a 
bottomless pit.  I also argued that we should get rid of the mandated 33% for abstinence 
of the 20% prevention money.  I am attaching an e-mail that I sent to Josh after getting 
back to my office in which I clarify my position:
Josh:
   It was good to see you at the Malaria event today and I appreciate your listening to Randy, Mike 
and me. I know that you are very much supportive of the full funding and even increase of the 
initiative and I know that this view is not shared by all.  However, just to reiterate what I said to 
you and what you already know, this is one of the most important things that this administration 
has done and is doing.  The people of Africa look upon us with great admiration and gratitude 
because of PEPFAR.  We just cannot let it slip.  True, we cannot commit to treating every 
infected person in the target countries, particularly since there are 4.3 million new infections 
worldwide each year, mostly in developing countries.  However, we are making significant 
progress in prevention. I know that you are aware of how impressive the circumcision data are.  
In addition, although we are still years away from a vaccine, the most recent candidate has 
entered a phase 2 trial internationally (including Africa).  Even if it does not totally prevent HIV-
infection, there is a reasonable chance that it will slow the progression of disease if people do get 
infected, and this will result in lower levels of virus in their bodies, which in turn makes 
transmission to others less likely.  I tell you this because I believe that we are on the cusp of a 
slowing down of transmission, which would dampen the possibility of a "bottomless pit" of 
infection in target countries for which we would feel obligated to treat.  Finally, with regard to 
prevention, I am sorry that I was at first not clear about my position on abstinence being 
mandated as one third of the 20% prevention piece of the pie.  We get enormous bad press (that 
often overshadows the enormous good that we are doing) because we mandate a specific 
number for abstinence.  The faith-based organizations are going to push abstinence with the 
prevention money that we give them anyway.  Therefore, abstinence will indeed be pursued 
through PEPFAR.  By mandating it, those who do not think that this is the way to go will only drop 
out of the funding stream and declare the program dysfunctional when it really is a breath-taking 
success.  On balance, it is my opinion that if we remove mandated categories of prevention, 
abstinence programs will still go on in Africa and PEPFAR will be praised by everyone, 
deservedly so.
  I am sorry if I came on somewhat strong at the White House with you, but I feel deeply that 
PEPFAR is such an historically great program (that would not exist if it were not for you) and I 
want it to function optimally.  As always, if you need me to pitch in on this and articulate my views 
to anyone, please call upon me.  I would jump at the chance.
Thank you and best personal regards,
Tony
During the Rose garden ceremony, the POTUS actually got up and played the drums with 
a troop of Senegalese/American dancers who provided entertainment on the stage in the 
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
152Rose Garden.  As he left the stage and went back to the Oval Office, we caught each 
other’s eyes and he said “Hi Denny”, walked a few steps, turned around, came back and 
said “What am I talking about,  Hi Tony”; he laughed and went on.
April 27, 2007 – Went to the National Cathedral this AM to see Megan receive the honor 
as one of 12 NCS girls to be inducted into the “Cum Laude Society” .  It was a beautiful 
ceremony at the Cathedral.
    Found out during the evening as I was on the way to a Nats Baseball game (call from 
Greg Folkers) with Bob Seder, Stewart Simonson, and Gary Nabel that Randy Tobias just 
abruptly resigned effective immediately.  There is a woman who runs an “escort service 
and sexual fantasy service” who is being charged with running a prostitution ring.  She is 
a bit bizarre and is using as a defense that if her girls did prostitution, then they did it on 
their own.  For some unexplainable reason, she released the cell phone numbers of the 
clients of her girls and Randy’s number was on the list.  ABC News confronted Randy 
and he stated that he merely used the girls to get massages and had no sex, but he 
resigned anyway.  My impression is that unlike Attorney General Alberto Gonzales who 
will not resign and keeps embarrassing the POTUS with his incompetence in handling the 
firing of the Federal Attorneys, Randy does not want to cause more bad press for the 
POTUS.  Irony is that Randy runs the AID Programs which require recipients of Federal 
Funds to condemn prostitution.  This is probably the reason that he resigned, i.e. the 
appearance of hypocracy.
April 28-May 6, 2007 – Just a very busy time for me preparing for the Board of 
Scientific Counsellors Review of my Lab (LIR) to take place on June 4.  Weather turned 
absolutely beautiful – typical DC Spring with sunny skies and balmy temperatures.  Have 
been following over the past several weeks the St. Alban’s baseball team.  They are 
having their best year in decades.  Danny Hultzen (pitcher/first base) is clearly the best 
pitcher in the league and one of the best hitters.
May 7, 2007 – Went to the British Embassy for a Garden Party in honor of the visit to the 
USA of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip.  Everyone who is anyone in DC was there.  
Spent time speaking with Sen. Joe Lieberman, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Majority 
Leader of House Steny Hoyer, Columnist David Brooks, CNN’s Judy Woodruff, Fox 
News Chief Editor Britt Hume, Former Mayor of Baltimore Schmoke, Harvey Fineberg 
of IOM, etc.  Spoke with Prince Philip who showed an astounding lack of understanding 
of what is biomedical research.  He asked me what I did and I explained.  He said “Of 
medical stuff; that is statistics, i.e. numbers”.  I explained that we actually do research to 
answer questions.  He insisted that it was all about statistics of diseases.  I said that the 
statistics inform us of the extent of the problems, but then we do basic and clinical 
research to diagnosed, prevent and treat diseases.  He then said, “Oh yes, like I said, it is 
all about numbers”.  I hope that he was just jet-lagged.
May 10-14, 2007 – Had one of the most intensely busy weeks  in recent memory with 
preparations (rehearsals) for my upcoming Board of Scientific Counselors review of LIR, 
NIH Budget Retreat, NIH Roadmap Retreat, Commencement Address at Penn State, 
Major talk in Miami to AAI,  NIAID National Advisory Council Meeting, and Senate 
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
153Appropriations Hearing Testimony – all in 5 working days.  It was exhilarating in a 
strange sort of way.  Almost like being on call as an intern and having 5 admissions in a 
row.  After a while, it does not make any difference how many they send you.  Weather 
has been spectacularly beautiful – typical Washington Spring weather.  Sunny, dry, warm 
in day, cool at night.
May 19, 2007 – Gave Commencement Address at Penn State University College of 
Science
May 24, 2007 – Went to Sons of Italy Annual NELA (National Education Leadership 
Awards) dinner at the Washington Grand Hyatt Hotel on 10th and H Streets.  I took 
Megan with me and she really enjoyed it.  Sitting at our table was Nancy Pelosi and Rosa 
DeLauro.  Megan got to meet and speak with them as well as Hilary Clinton, Geraldine 
Ferraro, Italian Ambassador Castellenata among others.  Megan was amazed as Sen. 
Clinton was on her way out after having presented Geraldine Ferraro with an Award and 
we thought that we would not have the opportunity to introduce her to Megan.  Hilary 
walked past me, caught my eye and gave a big smile, and threw her arms around me in 
greeting.  Megan could not believe it.  I introduced Megan and Clinton asked about her 
school and her plans for next year.
May 24 – June 17, 2007 – Extremely busy:  
Sometime since last entry (May 24) I was informed by Jack Marberger (Science Advisor 
to the POTUS) that I would be receiving the National Medal of Science in a White House 
ceremony in July.  I am humbled.
Also, Scooter Libby convicted by seemingly vengeful and self-absorbed Judge Reggie 
Walton and sentenced to 30 months – amazingly excessive!  Also, Walton published all 
of the letters written on Scooter’s behalf including mine.  Other letter writers were Paul 
Wolfowitz, Donald Rumsfeld, General Pace, Henry Kissinger, etc.  Science magazine 
(Jon Cohen) wrote a small piece about my writing a letter.  He originally thought that I 
would be in trouble since I did it on Government Stationary.  Sorry John – I got clearance 
by OGC – Ethics Division since the CFR says that I can do this.  Typical Jon, good  
person that he is, he is still trying to get me on something – the instincts of a reporter!
June 3, 2007 – Gave Commencement address to Megan’s NCS graduating class.  It was a 
thrill giving it from the main pulpit at the National Cathedral.  It was extremely well 
received; got many, many personal comments and e-mails. Please see text of speech in 
my files.  Megan won many awards – Science Award, Community Service Award, Major 
Award voted by students as best all-around student, Major Award voted by faculty as 
best all-around student (first time at NCS that same student got both)
June 4, 2007 – Underwent Board of Scientific Counselors 4 year review of my 
laboratory – Laboratory of Immunoregulation.  I received the highest possible score 
(Outstanding).  I had been preparing for this review for almost 1 year since I wanted to 
nail it given that I am Director of NIAID and my review would be carefully scrutinized.
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
154June 6, 2007 – Major, major world publicity regarding patient  who 
had Extensively Drug resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB) and traveled by plane to a number 
of countries in Europe despite somewhat bungled instructions by Georgia (he is from 
Atlanta) Health Officials and the CDC to not travel.  The CDC looking real clumsy on 
this and the media continue to go after Julie Gerberding (Director, CDC) about this and 
other issues.  I believe that she is being treated unfairly by the press and the Congress.  In 
any event, I appeared with Julie and a customs official (Speaker crossed the border from 
Canada  to New York after secretly flying from Prague to Montreal) at a Senate 
Appropriations Committee Hearing (Tom Harkin, Chair) on the subject.  I was there to 
discuss the science of TB.  Julie got slammed by the Committee and Speaker was on the 
next panel and said that the CDC was lying. What a mess.  I was on major media 
appearances for the next week – Nightline, NBC News, 20/20 (about Heimlich and 
malaria treatment for HIV), NPR Morning Edition, WTOP Radio, CNN American 
Morning, etc)
June 18, 2007 – Informed by Don Koshland of the Lasker Foundation that I will be 
awarded the Lasker Award for Public Service in September ($150,000.00) – amazing.  
Thus, in 2007 I have won the Kober Medal for Physician Scientist, the National Medal of 
Science for Basic and Clinical Research and now the Lasker Award for Public Service.  I 
have a lot to be thankful for!
    Ironically, had dinner over Ellen and Gerry Sigal’s house last night with Joe Wilson, 
Bill Wilson and Melody (Confidante of the Kennedy’s), Richard and Donna Ben-Veniste, 
Judge Judy who is trying the crazy $54 million “lost pants in the Dry Cleaners case and 
her husband Greg.  I mentioned to Ellen that if Joe was pissed at me because I wrote a 
letter for Scooter, then I would not come to the dinner.  Joe was very gracious and 
insisted that I be there.  We had a good discussion and he said that he understood why I 
wrote the letter.  He, however, is filing a civil suit against VP Cheney, Karl Rove, and 
Scooter and so it is not over yet.   Amazing how different are the perspectives of what 
happened between Scooter and Joe/Valerie.  I am in the unusual situation of being friends 
with both parties.
June 18, 2007 – Accompanied First Lady Laura Bush at Howard University Hospital for 
a roundtable discussion of the implementation by Howard of the new CDC 
recommendations for the “Routinization” of HIV testing.  Celia Maxwell (former NIAID 
fellow) led the discussion for Howard. Very cordial interactions with the First Lady and 
her staff, particularly Katy Montgomery.  She was engaged and interactive.  Very hot day 
in DC – sunny, slightly hazy and 94 degrees F.  I explained to her the benefits that are 
coming out of this testing program as well as the PEPFAR program internationally.
June 21, 2007 – Met with Nancy Pelosi in her “Speakers Office” at the Capitol to discuss 
the funding of the University of California at SF Center for AIDS Research (CFAR).  
They did not get the funding amount that they had hoped for and we finally worked it out 
to everyone’s satisfaction by getting some extra money from OAR and the NHLBI to 
give them the additional $771,000.00 that they requested.  Nancy was satisfied.  I went 
with Elias Zerhouni and Marc Smolonsky from OLA at NIH.  Her main staffer was Scott 
Released by Chairman Rand Paul

155Brule.  Nancy was as usual very warm and cordial to me.  We discussed a plan that she 
had to get extra money to the NIH through a budget supplemental.  She felt that if we 
wrap in the cancer package, all of the Congress would be in favor even though it was 
understood that it would go way beyond cancer.  Elias and I and Marc will world on a 
strategic plan for the initiative and get back to her.
             Visited by USA Ambassador to Indonesia (just appointed) Cameron Hume.  I 
know Cameron from time he was Ambassador to South Africa and we (Cliff Lane) 
established the Phidisa Project with the South African Military to treat HIV infection in 
the military.  Cameron left South Africa and became (briefly) Ambassador to Sudan 
(during the Darfur crisis).  He is on his way to take over in Jakarta and wanted me to brief 
him on Pandemic Influenza threat and what the USA is doing in this area.  Indonesia is a 
hot spot for recent cases of chicken to human H5N1
Chris and I had dinner tonight at the home of Australian Ambassador to the USA 
Dennis Richardson and his wife Betty to celebrate the visit of immunologist Ian Frazer 
(wife Caroline) who is the 2006 Australian of the Year.  His research led to the 
development of the HPV vaccine with Merck (Gardasil).  Good food and conversation at 
the beautiful Ambassador’s residence at 3120 Cleveland Avenue, N.W.  Balmy Spring 
night in DC.
June 21 – July 4, 2007 – POTUS commuted 30 month jail sentence for Scooter Libby, 
but did not pardon him.  The conservatives are enraged that the POTUS did not go far 
enough to pardon Scooter and the liberals are saying that the commutation was a 
“disgrace”.  
     Went to the Gala Dinner of “The Golden Plate” with Chris.  Usual celebrity gala.  Met 
Hillary Swank for the first time.  Others at the dinner were Alberto Gonzales, Margaret 
Spellings, David Rubenstein (Carlyle Group), and many many others.  Sitting at Table 
with Chris and me were: Gen. Ralston (former Chairman of Joint Chiefs) Mac Macarty 
(former Chief-of-Staff to Pres. Clinton, Ann Venneman (UNICEF Director and former 
Sec. Dept. of Agriculture.  Entertainment by Brooks and Dunn – country singers who 
were fantastic (winner of many country music awards)
     Went to a Cocktail Buffet at Jamie Gorelick’s house on June 30 and met with the 
usual cast of DC notables: Richard Ben-Veniste, Bill Jeffress (Scooter’s lawyer), David 
Ignatius of the Washington Post, Seth Waxman (lawyer), Judy Woodruff (PBS), Al Hunt 
(Bloomberg News), Mark Shields (Newshour), etc.  Living discussions about 
Washington Politics, including the fact that I wrote a letter for Scooter.
July 5 – 7, 2007 – Went to the Aspen Ideas Festival in Aspen, CO.  Presented a session 
on “Emerging and Re-Emerging Infectious Diseases:  The Perpetual Challenge to Global 
Health”.  Beautiful mountain weather – warm, no humidity, clear skies.  Met and 
interacted with many, many notable people: Colin Powell, Bob Hormats (Vice-Chairman 
of Goldman Sachs), Rahm Emanuel, Tim Wirth, Margaret Spellings, Dan Glickman 
(former Sec. Agriculture and current CEO of Motion Picture Association of America), 
Walter Isaacson (CEO of Aspen Institute), Jim Woolsey (Former Director CIA), Jim 
Lehrer and his wife Kate (Lehrer NewsHour), and many, many more.  Very enjoyable 
experience.  Perhaps started a friendship with Corby Kummer, whom I had not met or 
heard of before.  He is senior editor at The Atlantic magazine. He is one of the most 
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
156respected food journalists and he “narrated” the meal that was served to us at a very 
elegant dinner on July 6 at Plato’s restaurant hosted by Booz, Allan, Hamilton.  They 
brought in a chef from Denver and provided a meal made only from local ingredients 
(lamb, vegetables, corn soup, etc.).  We had long discussions and  we flew back together 
from Aspen to Denver.  He offered Chris and me use of his Boston Apartment when we 
come to Boston to visit Jenny.
July 10-14, 2007 – Went to Genoa for my yearly review of the Gaslini Institute.  It was 
the usual pleasant interactions with Lorenzo Moretta, Alain Fischer, and Sergio 
Romagnani (Committee members) as well as the people of Gaslini such as Gianni 
Melioli, Giovanni Rossi, Alessandro Moretta.  Since I was not allowed to take the 
honorarium this year of any more, this might be my last time doing this.
July 21 – 25, 2007 – Went to Sydney Australia with Chris, Megan and Alison to present 
the opening session plenary lecture on the topic of “HIV/AIDS in 2007:  Much 
Accomplished, Much To Do”.  We had to turn around quickly and come home and thus 
cancel our plans for a mini-vacation in Australia together.  Reason was that I had to 
return to DC to receive the National Medal of Science (see below).  The trip was 
nonetheless very enjoyable notwithstanding the length of travel time.  My talk went over 
very well, got much press and turned out to be the defining theme of the meeting that 
caught on with the press and the other speakers.
July 27, 2007 – Received the National Medal of Science from the POTUS at a 1:50 PM 
White House ceremony in the East Room.  Hot, sunny Washington day.  I was one of 8 
people who received the award for 2005 (yes 2005 – they are 2 years behind in awarding 
them).  The POTUS was very nice with me.  The Army Major who announced the names 
completely blew the pronunciation of my name despite having a phonetic crib in front of 
him.  The POTUS laughed and when I went up to the podium to get the medal and shake 
his hand, he put his arm around me and whispered in my ear “Maybe this guy does not 
know what you name is, but I certainly do”.  There was a nice reception after.  Condi 
Rice gave me a hug and kiss and joked about the mispronunciation of my name. We saw 
the POTUS leave from the WH lawn on Marine One Helicopter to spend the weekend at 
Camp David.  In the evening we had an elegant dinner with many guests from 
government at the Ritz Carlton on 22nd  and M Streets, N.W.  Guests at my table were 
Elias Zerhouni and John Gallin together with Denise and Jack Scorce.  Nice time.  I felt 
rather humbled by the amazing accomplishments of the other awardees (mostly physicists 
and engineers).
July 27 – August 30, 2007 – A number of relatively minor issues over the past 4 weeks.  
Had laparoscopic surgery for right indirect inguinal hernia on August 2 at Sibley Hospital 
by Dr. Martin Paul.  Minor complications of 2 ½ weeks of severe pain over the mesh that 
had developed a “seroma”.  It is fine now.
    Went to Seattle, WA to deliver opening session plenary lecture at the HIV/AIDS 
Vaccine 2007 meeting run by Larry Corey.   Talk well received.  Have been having very 
“scratchy” voice that has significantly interfered with my lecture since my Plenary in 
Sydney (when I first noticed it) in July.  I had laryngoscopy by Dr. Michael Siegel. It 
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
157should some very minor “singer’s nodules” similar to what Pres. Clinton had but much 
less severe (Dr. Siegel took care of Clinton), as well as some inflammation indicating 
esophageal-laryngeal reflux.  Will start on antacids.
    Word is now out that I will receive the Mary Woodard Lasker Award for Public 
Service on Sept. 28, 2007 in NYC (see below).
August 30 – Sept. 13, 2007 – Went to NYC on Sept. 8 to visit my father for his 97th 
birthday.  Recently had baloon valvuloplasty of aortic valve for progressively refractory 
CHF.  Remarkable improvement following procedure. NYC was beautiful and warm.  
Chris, Jenny and Ali were with me and we had fun as always in NYC.  Megan is in 
Chicago with City Year (Americorps) and is lonely and sad since this is first time away 
from home.
Sept. 14, 2007 – Big day.  Went to White House for Karl Rove’s farewell party. Moving 
speeches by Josh Bolten (who showed PowerPoint slides on Karl’s years with the 
POTUS here and in Texas), the POTUS who choked up a few times when talking about 
Karl, and Karl himself who gave a very moving thank you to his friends at the WH.  He 
recounted how after Bush won the election Karl did not want to come to DC with the 
POTUS because he felt that although he was a good political strategist and tactician, he 
did not like internecine warfare and he saw that during the administration of the 
POTUS’s father George H.W.  Bush shook his head in agreement with this.  Karl went on 
to say that it would not be this way during his administration since it will be like a family 
and he would not allow backbiting.  My thought was that although this is an admirable 
thing, it might have had the unintended consequence of having a closed system that did 
not accept outside ideas very well.  In any event it was a warm affair.  I had the 
opportunity to chat with Josh Bolten, Karl Rove, Fran Townsend, Mike Chertoff, Charles 
Krauthammer, and many other notables.
    After the ceremony we waved the POTUS off from the balcony in Marine One on the 
way to Camp David for the weekend. I had a scheduled briefing of First Lady Laura 
Bush’s staff with Anita McBride (Chief-of-Staff), Carrie Underwood (Deputy Director of 
Policy and Projects), and several others.  The briefing went very well.  I talked about 
global health issues and what the FLOTUS could do for the last year domestically and 
internationally to promote the health agenda.  I will be suggesting places that she could 
visit. To do an event similar to what we did together at Howard University (see above – 
June 18, 2007).
Sept. 15-16, 2007 – Press announcement for the Lasker Award.  Almost immediately, 
scores of congratulatory e-mails started arising.  My picture was in the Washington Post 
with an article; article in NY Times and picture and article on Monday (Sept.17) in USA 
Today.
Sept. 19, 2007 -  Over the past few days, literally hundreds of e-mails and letters coming 
in regarding Lasker Award from friends, colleagues, people I knew years ago such as 
nurses from H-4 ward at NY Hospital, White house people, congressmen, etc.
      Today had meeting at White House (EEOB-428) run by NSC (Mike Falan) and HSC 
(Rajeev Venkayya) to discuss updating and broadening the vision of the NSC/HSC TB 
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
158White Paper that we (NIAID) had contributed to a couple of months ago when we 
introduced our Research Agenda for MDR/XDR-TB.  Beautiful Fall day (crisp and 
sunny).  Meeting from 9:00 to 11:00 AM followed by briefing from Tachi Yamada 
(Gates Foundation) who came from Seattle to present to us (USG) out of courtesy the 
new $282 million Gates TB initiative.  In preparation for this I alerted Rajeev that we 
really needed to coordinate the many USG activities on TB and present it in a vision 
format so that the POTUS could claim the legacy of having addressed AIDS (PEPFAR), 
malaria (President’s Malaria Initiative – PMI) and now TB.  It would be the 3rd leg in the 
stool of his Global Diplomacy program.  Rajeev agreed – unfortunately, he will be 
leaving government on Sept. 26.  It was great working with him over the past few years.  
His background is that he trained as an MD at Michigan and was actually Chief Medical 
Resident when Tachi was Chairman of Medicine at Michigan.  In any event, we will 
update and sharpen our USG White Paper.
Sept. 20, 2007 – Another great crisp Fall day.  
Heard real bad news regarding the Merck AIDS vaccine trial 502 in which adenovector 
HIV was immunogen.  Study done mostly on gay men and phase 2b was looked at by 
DSMB on usual periodic look.  Trial closed for “futility” in that the data showed that 
more people got infected in vaccinate group versus unvaccinated group (19 vs 11 – not 
significant, but highly suggestive).  Also, viral set point exactly same in infected people 
who were vaccinated versus those that were not.  Trail stopped – press releases imminent.  
It is going to be a hot time.  People will focus on whether we should proceed with the 
Phase IIb of PAVE 100 (Gary Nabel’s VRC trial).  The latter also was a adeno vector, 
but is different in 3 ways: 1) it has a DNA prime; 2) it has envelope; 3) it is done also in 
heterosexuals.  More to come.
Went to Gate-sponsored dinner at Le Paradou Restaurant at 678 Indiana Avenue, NW in 
honor of retiring President of Botswana Festus Mogae.  I had met the President in 2002 
when I went to Africa with Tommy Thompson in 2002 to develop PEPFAR.  At the 
dinner were: Todd Summer and Cheryl Scott (Gates), Jeff Struchio (Merck), Bobby 
Pittman (NSC Director of African Affairs), Congresswoman Nita Lowey, Tommy 
Thompson, Max Essex  (Harvard School of Public Health), Ambassador John Lange 
(former Amb to Botswana), Jendayi Frazer, Assistant Secretary of State for African 
Affairs.  Nice evening.  I commiserated with TGT about his failed attempt at Republican 
nomination for President.  Nice conversations with Nita Lowey about Iraq (Democrat 
viewpoint), and warm conversation with Mogae regarding my work on AIDS.
Sept. 25, 2007 – Was panelist at Science Magazine’s annual retreat of their staff at their 
headquarters in Washington, DC.  Chaired by Editor Don Kennedy.  Lively discussion 
about the future of science and biomedical research.
    DSMB discontinues trial of Merck HIV vaccine based on Adenovirus vector.  Possible 
that vaccine actually made things worse.  Big setback for HIV vaccinology.
Sept. 26, 2007 – Farewell reception at White House for Rajeev Venkayya (Deputy 
Director – Homeland security Council).  I have worked closely with Rajeev for 5 years 
on Biodefense.  He rose from WH intern to deputy Director in 5 years.  He is someone to 
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
159watch; good guy; physician trained at U of Michigan and UCSF.  Usual cast of WH 
people, i.e. Fran Townsend, etc.
Sept. 27 – 28, 2007 – Glorious 2 days in NYC for the Lasker Awards.  Dinner on night of 
Sept. 27 at La Grenouille (Mary Lasker’s favorite restaurant).  Lasker Lunch at Pierre 
Hotel on Sept. 28.  Ralph Steinman received Basic Science Lasker; Alan Carpentier and 
Albert  Starr (Starr-Edwards heart valve) received the Clinical Lasker; and I received the 
Public Service Lasker.  On Friday, Sept. 28, the Washington Post did a very large piece 
on me called “The Honored Doctor” talking about the Lasker, the National Medal of 
Science, the Kober Medal and other honors.  I have received literally several hundred 
letters and e-mails and greeting in person related to the Lasker and the Post article.  With 
me in NYC were Chris, Ali and Jenny.  Megan had to stay on Chicago with “City Year”.
Oct. 4 – 5, 2007 – Went to Aspen for the World Biomedical Forum.  Gave 4 to 5 talks on 
AIDS, Pandemic Flu, Emerging infections, etc.  Again, usual cast of notables there. Very 
nice time.  Weather in Aspen and DC has been spectacular for past couple of weeks.  
Sunny, Warm and no rain.
Oct. 11, 2007 – Featured speaker at a Global Health Symposium at the Italian Embassy 
on Whitehaven Street in DC.  Spoke on “HIV/AIDS in 2007:  Much Accomplished, 
Much To Do”.  Much congratulatory activity by the Italians related to the Lasker and the 
Post article.
Oct. 12, 2007 – Dinner at the Café Milano in association with the national Italian 
American Foundation (NIAF) dinner the following night (Oct. 13).  Franco Luschese 
found me a prime seat.  The whole restaurant was for the NIAF dinner.  I sat next to Jerry 
Vale.  So many people who I knew from other such meetings were there:  Yogi Berra, 
Tony LoBianco, Dion (and the Belmonts), Nancy Pelosi, etc. etc.  Great meal; nice time.
Oct. 13, 2007 – Took Ali to the Annual NIAF Gala at the Hilton.  She loved it since she 
wanted to meet Nancy Pelosi and Ellen Pompeio (star of TV’s Grey’s Anatomy).   She 
got to meet and take picture of both.  Usual glitterati were there:  Antonin Scalia and Sam 
Alito; Nancy Pelosi; Yogi Berra; Dion; Jerry Vale;  George Tenet (I wanted to connect 
with him, but we did not cross each other); Connie Stevens; Pater Pace; etc. etc.
Oct. 16-17, 2007 – Went to Seattle to participate (Panel) in the Bill and Melinda Gates 
Malaria Forum at the Sheraton Hotel at Union and 6th Streets in Downtown Seattle.  Mild 
and on and off rain.  Good meeting.  Just starting to see the galvanizing of interest and 
enthusiasm and finally even considering the possibility of eliminating and eradicating 
malaria.  Melinda  and Bill gave an inspiring speech at 9:00 AM on Oct. 17.  All the 
malaria people were very pleased that I was there to show the “flag”.  I have become 
increasingly interested and supportive of malaria including my long-term support of 
Stephen Hoffman (Sanaria) and his irradiated sporozoite vaccine.
   Had a unique evening at dinner at the home of Bill and Melinda Gates on Oct. 16, 
2007. It was obviously a spectacular home, but I did not get the tour since while Melinda 
was giving the other guests a tour, Bill wanted a private conversation with me.  He was 
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
160fascinated by how I have been running NIAID; said that he had heard so much about me 
and happy finally to meet me in person.  He wanted to know how I navigated the politics 
of DC, how I prioritized, how much flexibility I had in the budget, etc. etc.  It was a very 
nice conversation aimed at his wanted to get to know me and my responsibilities better.  
Present at the dinner were: me, Bill and Melinda Gates, Tachi Yamada, Regina 
Rabinowitz, Margaret Chan (WHO), Michel Kazatchkine (Global Fund), Brian Chituwo 
(MOH of Zambia), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (MOH of Ethiopia), Michael Leavitt 
(Sec. HHS), David Mwakyusa (MOH of Tanzania), Ann Veneman (UNICEF),  also 
MOH of Mozambique Paolo Ivo Garrido and former MOH of Nigeria (Forgot her name).
Oct. 18, 2007 – Lectured in Building 31, Room C10 to the Mortimer Zuckerman Fellows 
.  This is a group funded through Harvard that takes medical, Law, and Business students 
from throughout the country and funds them for 1 – 2 year fellowship to study at either 
the Kennedy School of Government, the Harvard School of Public Health or the Harvard 
Business School to learn other disciplines, i.e. medical students will go to the School of 
Government, and Law students will go to School of Public Health.  They wanted to hear 
about me and how I got to where I am and my view of public service.  I lectured for 45 
minutes and took over 1 hour of questions.  They were extremely enthusiastic about me 
and what I said.
Oct. 19, 2007 – Went to Boston to give Sheldon M. Wolff memorial lecture on 
“HIV/AIDS in 2007:  Much Accomplished, Much To Do”.  Largest crowd in the history 
of Tufts Grand Rounds (so I am told).  Saw Lila Wolff.  Got to Boston early (cloudy day, 
but warm for October) and had breakfast with Jenny at Peet’s Coffee House in Harvard 
Square.  Had first talk with Jenny about her personal “situation”.  Went very well.
  That evening went to home of  Ron and  Beth Dozoretz for a reception for the Fellows.  
The fellows were so happy that I was there.  The Dozoretz’s live at 3005 – 45th Street, 
N.W. (2 blocks from my house).  At the party were many DC elites such as David Gergen 
(co-sponsor of event), Sandy Berger, Ron Carey (Newsweek), etc.
Oct. 26, 2007 – Gave talk at the opening of Sanaria’s new facility.  Sanaria is Biotech 
company making an irradiated sporozoite malaria vaccine.  Stephen Hoffman is the CEO 
and I have been very supportive of him over the past 20 years.  He recognizes this every 
time he speaks in public.  Also at the Grand Opening were Congressman Chris Van 
Hollen, Sen. Cardin (D- MD), Montgomery County Executive Ike Legget and others.
Oct. 27, 2007 – Great day.  Went to ISL/IAC cross country championship meet held at 
Episcopal High in VA.  NCS and St. Albans won everything – JV and Varsity and under 
15.  In the NCS JV race the first 11 runners over the finish line were from NCS.  Ali 
came out 6th in the race!
Oct. 29, 2007 – Went to dinner at Positano restaurant in Bethesda with Bob Gallo (part of 
our years long tradition of dinner in Bethesda to “catch up” on what is going on.  
Discussed the interesting topic of matching Bob, Luc Montagnier and me for nomination 
for the Nobel prize for AIDS now that I have won the Lasker Award.  It could be helpful 
to Bob if I am on the “ticket” since there is no controversy connected with me and this 
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
161could make it a more desirable slate since the 2 of them alone always evokes memories of 
controversy.
Oct. 29 – Nov. 1, 2007 -  Full week of meetings with Ministers of Health from G-8 and 
their senior staff on topic of Global Health with an emphasis on Biodefense.  Ministers 
that were present include: The Honorable Mike Leavitt, U.S. Secretary of Health and 
Human Services The Honorable Michael Chertoff, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security 
The Right Honorable Tony Clement, MP, Minister of Health, Canada The Honorable 
Markos Kyprianou, Esq. Commissioner for Health, European Commission The 
Honorable Ulla Schmidt, Federal Minister of Health, Federal Republic of Germany The 
Honorable José Angel Córdova-Villalobos, M.D., Secretary of Health, Mexico The Right 
Honorable Dawn Primarolo, MP, Minister of State for Public Health, United Kingdom 
Dr. Donato Greco, Head, Department of Prevention and Communication, Ministry of 
Health, Italy The Honorable Kenta Matsunami, Parliamentary Secretary for Health Labor 
and Welfare, Japan Dr. Anarfi Asamoah-Baah, Deputy Director-General, World Health 
Organization.  I gave talk at VRC to the senior staff.  Had elegant receptions and dinners 
at the Corcoran Gallery (Oct. 31) and Library of Congress (Nov. 1).
Nov. 2, 2007 – Went to Boston to give Keynote at meeting of Harvard Business School 
Alumni Association – held at Harvard Medical School.  Spoke on Emerging Infections.  
Had dinner with Jenny at Taranta’s restaurant in the North End on Friday night, Nov. 2. 
Had nice discussions about career options as she is now approaching graduation from 
Harvard.  She wants to take at least a year working at something that she loves (not sure 
yet what that is – could be a year in Cuba or a domestic political campaign) and then go 
on to graduate school.
Nov. 7. 2007 – Ellen Sigal invited me and I attended the “Friends of Cancer” Awards 
night at the Hotel George on Capital Hill (E Street).  “Leadership” Awardees were Ted 
Kennedy, Sen,. Mike Enzi, and Bob Young (former NCA/Fox Chase).  Ted Kennedy 
explicitly said that he would like me there and wanted to greet me.  He mentioned me 
warmly in his acceptance speech.  Afterwards had dinner with a select few from the 
reception – Ellen Sigal, Marlene Malek, Sherry Lansing, John Porter, Amy McGuire 
Porter, Elias Zerhouni, Melody Miller (former staffer for Ted Kennedy).  Lively 
discussions (particular with Sherry Lansing who is a terrific person – she had been at my 
Lasker Award ceremony).
Nov. 7 – 8 , 2007 – Very discouraging news from the Merck HIV vaccine trial (502/503 
– STEP and Phambili Trials) using adenovirus 5 (Ad5) vector and gag, pol, nef inserts.  
Took place in North and South America, Caribbean, Australia (STEP) and just beginning 
in Southern Africa (PHAMBILI).  First DSMB look stopped the trial on futility for 2 
major endpoints (Acquisition and Viral Set Point).  Real problem is that it looks like 
people with the higher underlying Ad5 titers had greater risk of acquisition in the 
vaccinated versus the placebo group.  Unclear why this is so but may be that giving Ad5 
to people with underlying Ad5 immunity triggers robust activation providing vulnerable 
targets for infection upon exposure to the virus.  This has important implications for 
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
162future trials with Ad vectors such as upcoming PAVE 100 trial – ethical issues.  Stay 
tuned.
    On evening of Nov. 8 gave Keynote After Dinner talk to the Association of 
Independent Schools of Great Washington (AISGW). Kathy and Dan Jamieson were 
there as were heads of schools and senior officials for the DC/VA/MD independent 
schools.  Talk went very well – “Our Responsibilities as World Citizens:  Looking 
Through the Lens of Global Health”.  I spoke at The Potomac School in Virgina.  Hugh 
crowd.
Nov. 14, 2007 – Attended 60th Anniversary Gala for Meet the Press (invited by Tim 
Russert.  Held at 555 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. in the new Newseum Building.  
Another affair of all the glitterati of the Washington, D.C. press and politicians – John 
McLaughlin, David Gregory, Norah O’Donnell, Fred Fielding, Ben Bradlee, Mike 
Gerson, Sen. Kennedy, Kerry, Former Sen. McGovern,  Tom Ricks (Washington Post), 
Al Hunt, Dana Perino, Dana Priest, etc. etc.  Elegant affair, good food, plenty of cheer.
Nov. 30, 2007 – Chris an I attended a Holiday Dinner Party at the White House hosted by 
the President and First Lady.  I had been at several Holiday receptions at the White 
House around Christmas Time, but this was the first time that I attended a Holiday 
Dinner.  There were about 75 – 100 people in attendance.  Wonderful affair!  The 
POTUS and First Lady circulated freely with guests as we had cocktails in the foyer 
adjourning the East Room.  Spent several minutes talking with the POTUS and First 
Lady separately.  He and she had just finished an AIDS event in Mount Airy to 
commemorate World AIDS Day (Dec. 1 – tomorrow).  The POTUS had a large 50 foot 
red AIDS Ribbon hung from the front portico of the White House and he was excited 
about pointing it out to me.  The POTUS in his usual generous way with me kept 
introducing me to people at the reception as one of the world’s greatest scientist who will 
get us an AIDS vaccine.  Again, as usual, he was very warm and friendly with me.  
Dinner was elegant – pumpkin soup, lamb, fine wines and champagne.  The evening was 
crystal clear and cold (around 40 F). After dinner we had Christmas carols by the Army 
Choir and a trumpet and piano medley of Holiday Songs by 2 young black men from 
New Orleans (?names).
Nov. 30 – Dec. 9, 2007 -  Pre-Iowa caucus heating up with Obama closing the gap with 
Hillary Clinton who is front-runner. Romney and Giuliani neck in neck on the 
Republican side.  Despite the fact that election is 1 year away, election politics is 
dominating the news.  The “surge” in troops in Iraq appears to be working in cutting 
down the violence, but this is still a tenuous situation.  Latest NIE states that Iran 
(contrary to what was previously thought) has halted their nuclear weapons programs. 
Life  in DC as active and political as ever.
Dec. 9, 2007 – Invited by Catherine and Wayne Reynolds to attend a small private dinner 
with Chris at Café Milano’s restaurant for Holiday Cheer.  Amazing night.  About 15 
people in the private Placido Domingo Room of Café Milano.  Attending among others 
was VP and Mrs. Cheney, Bill Marriott, Sen. Thad Cochrane and his girlfriend, Elias and 
Nadia Zerhouni, Chris Wallace (Fox News), Alma Wildenhorn, John and Debbie Dingell, 
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
163Mike and Meryl Chertoff, among others.  Spent nice time speaking with the VP about 
Stephen Hayes’s book “Cheney” that I just finished 2 days ago.  We had fun since we 
discussed the parts of his earlier years from the book such as his sports in high school.  
Also discussed with Lynne Cheney the part about her giving him an ultimatum of shaping 
up in school or she would leave him as his girlfriend.  He had flunked out of Yale twice.
Dec. 11, 2007 – Another exciting Washington social night.  First visited home of Ellen 
and Gerry Sigal at 2909 – 44th Street, N.W. just 2 blocks from our house.  Occasion was 
book signing party for Valeria Plame Wilson to celebrate publishing of her new book 
“Fair Game” about her outting as a covert CIA agent.  Chris and I have gotten to know 
her and her husband Joe Wilson over the past year, mostly through the Sigal’s.  
Interesting irony (see previous notes) that I am friends with Joe and Valerie at the same 
time as I am friends with Scooter Libby.  Had to leave party early to go to Italian 
Ambassador Giovanni Castellenata’s residence.  On way out as I apologized to Joe for 
leaving early, he joked “As long as you are not going to a party at the VP’s house”.  In 
fact, that is exactly what I am doing on Thursday (see below).
   Function at Italian Ambassador’s house was fun.  Party to honor the visit of Italian 
President Enrico Napolitano.  Usual DC glitterati were there – Mike and Meryl Chertoff, 
Colin Powell, Lee Hamilton, Frank Balducci (author),  D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty and 
wife Michelle, former head of Italian CIA Carrado Cantatore (had nice conversation with 
him about Italian covert ops in Iraq  - i.e. Italian Special Forces are still operating there 
even as Italian troops pull out), Sen. Pat Leahy, etc.  I sat next to my good friend Cecilia 
Piccione (Chief-of-Staff to the Ambassador).
Dec. 13, 2007 -  Two issues today:  Went down to White House with Mark Dybul to visit 
Dan Price (new SHERPA for the upcoming G-8 meeting in July, 2008). Dan, at the 
suggestion of Gary Edson, was looking for some bold initiatives for finish off the legacy 
of the POTUS over the next 11-12 months.  Gary mentioned to Dan how I had developed 
the PEPFAR program.  We discussed various options.  I brought up several such as 
elimination of TB and malaria, and aggressively addressing neglected tropical diseases 
(NTDs).  Mark had the great idea of using the PEPFAR infrastructure that has been built 
up over the past 4 years to deliver the meds for NTDs.  The bulk of the costs for attacking 
NTDs is the delivery systems since the drugs are free (ivermectim) or very cheap.  In 
addition, Mark suggested major tax breaks for private sector corporations that donate 
their expertise such as computer programming, etc.  Mark and I were charged with 
putting together a proposal.  This matches nicely with what HHS, NSC, and HSC are 
asking me to do with putting a bold program together for TB together with CDC, FDA, 
USAID, and DHS.  After talking to Dan, we walked over to Josh Bolten’s office and 
described briefly the plan to him.  He likes it a lot and urged us to go forward.  Seems 
strikingly similar situation to what we did with PEPFAR 5 years ago.
   This evening I went to the Christmas Party at the Vice President’s mansion.  Chris is in 
Boston having given a lecture and ran into a big snow storm.  She is stranded in Boston 
and will have to take a train home that will get her in during the middle of the night.  I 
took Ali to the VP party and she had an exciting time meeting the VP and such notables 
as David Addington (Chief-of-Staff to the VP),   Joel Bagnol (HSC), Bruce Miller (VP’s 
Staff, Carol Kuntz,  etc.
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
164Dec. 14 – 19, 2007 – Series of the usual (now becoming enjoyable since I remember 
names after seeing them so often) holiday parties, mostly centered around NCS/STA.  
Weather unusually mild.  Looking forward to Jenny and Megan coming home
Dec. 20, 2007 – Meeting (pre-PCC) at EEOB run by Mike Magan of NSC and Bob 
Kadlec of HSC to flesh out possibility of  putting together a major POTUS initiative on 
“Control or Elimination of Tuberculosis” to announce at the State of the Union Address 
in Jan. 2008.  After having various agencies present a totality of a program that would 
cost billions, it was decided that since there really will not be any new money, or if there 
was, it would be very little, we should focus on the well-circumscribed topic of TB 
Vaccine research.  I was tasked to do this and to write language for the State of the Union 
Address.  In my proposal, I presented the case that this would cost relatively little.  NIH 
spends $150 million in 2007 on TB research ($120 M is NIAID).  Of this $20 million is 
on TB Vaccine Research – this is  about 25% of world’s TB vaccine research spending 
with Gates spending about 45% (they spend most of their TB money on vaccine).  The 
Global Plan to Stop TB – 2006-2015 calls for $184 million in 2009 (the FY that we are 
talking about).  If we tripled our spending by adding $40 million to the $20 million, this 
would give $60 million.  Right before the meeting Rajeev Venkayya (who left HSC and 
will be joining Gates) called and e-mailed me saying that he has arranged a call between 
Secr. Leavitt and Tachi Yamada from Gates to agree that Bill Gates, Jr. will commit to a 
significant increase in Gates funding for TB if the USG puts up more money.  I have 
submitted a proposal for a $40 million increase for FY 2009 and I have included 
language for the Address.  Let us hope that this flies.  Then I will have had impact on 
PEPFAR, the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) and now the TB initiative.
Dec. 22, 2007 – Has breakfast at Panera in Chevy Chase with Terry Lierman who is now 
Chief-of –Staff to House leader Steny Hoyer (an old friend).  We discussed the usual 
politics and I mentioned that the only job that I would take in a new administration is 
Secretary of HHS.  Terry said that everyone knows in the democratic party that I am most 
qualified, but that I have “a Bush problem” in that I am too closely associated over the 
years with the Bush’s.  Such is Life; I am not at all upset about this since who knows 
what will happen and besides, I do not covet the job.
Dec. 23-27, 2007 – Discovered that Megan has an 8 mm left ovarian cyst – likely a 
dermoid that needs to come out for fear of torsion/twisting since it is so big.  She is seen 
by Mark Reiter’s group and Mark is arranging to have it removed on Dec. 31 
laparoscopically by a woman in his practice. He will assist.  He is giving her the VIP 
treatment, but I know too little about the laparoscopic skill of the people in his practice.  I 
do not want to upset the apple-cart, but ordinarily I would get David Jacobs involved; yet 
I do not want to interfere with the natural flow.  David would probably insist that 
someone else outside that practice do the procedure.  Mark wants to be in charge since he 
delivered Megan and feels a strong responsibility to her.   I am conflicted and will hope 
for the best.
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
165Dec. 28, 2007 – Lucky for us that Dr. Sedghi (Megan’s primary GYN doctor asked for a 
repeat sonogram.  Turns out the “cyst” was a loop of bowel.  She has a normal pelvis on 
repeat sono.  Welcome to medical practice in the USA!  The radiologist actually called it 
a dermoid cyst based on “calcification”, which now turns out not to be present.
Dec. 28, 2007 – Jan. 4, 2008 – The White House is getting excited about the possibility 
of pushing my TB vaccine research intitative for the G-8 and for the SOTU Address.  
Met on Jan. 3 with Mike Magan and Patrick Marcham of NSC about pushing forward my 
TB intiative.  Also, Mike wants me to put together a similar initiative for a malaria 
vaccine.  I will present this to Dan Price (with Gary Edson present) on Monday at the 
White House.  Possibility exists for a two-fer, i.e. TB + Malaria vaccine initiatives.  A lot 
of activity (e-mails, phone calls, meetings) going on similar to the time right before we 
went ahead with PEPFAR in Jan. 2003.  There is the usual concern on the part of NIH, 
HHS, and OMB as to where the new money will come from.  I have been very open in 
keeping Elias Zerhouni and HHS informed of my White House meetings.
Jan. 5 – Jan. 18, 2008 – Democrat and Republican primaries getting very hot.  No clear 
leader with the GOP.  Fred Thompson dropped out; Rudy Giuliani counting on Florida as 
he has done poorly so far in Iowa, NH, Nevada, Michigan and SC.  Romney dropping 
and McLain bouncing back with wins in NH and SC.  Dems race ugly with Bill and 
Hillary attacking Obama.  This is causing racial tensions and blacks are getting pissed at 
Bill and Hillary.  Bill is acting inappropriately in attacking Barack in an angry fashion.  
He is also clearly lying about what Barack has said and done.
    My initiatives are still percolating at the WH.  Now they have asked me to put together 
a malaria vaccine and malaria drug discovery proposal.  Will discuss these on Jan. 28 at 
the WH.  Weather has been bitter cold in DC – very sunny, but freezing.
Jan. 19, 2008 – Dinner at Capitol Hilton Hotel to celebrate Sam Alito getting the Lido 
Award.  Dinner sponsored by NIAF.  John Salamone (Executive Director of NIAF) asked 
Chris and me to sit at Alito’s table along with Gen. Peter Pace and his wife Lynne.  Had 
nice evening speaking with Martha-Ann Alito (Sam’s wife).  She is starting an “Italian 
Dinner Club” and invited me to join.  I am considering it.
Jan 25, 2008 – Gave lecture Global health at USA Families Conference at the Mayflower 
Hotel.  The speaker before me was my friend former Senator Tom Daschle.  Tom gave a 
great talk on health care in the USA based on a book that he has just written.  Of note, he 
is the health advisor for Barack Obama.  This is good since Tom likes me a lot and this 
could be my entry into getting to know Obama a bit better since I know Hillary much 
better than I do Obama.
   This evening went with Chris to an elegant “private” dinner (black tie) at the Academy 
of Achievement Town House at 1222 16th Street, N.W. given by Catherine and Wayne 
Reynolds.  They have been very generous to me in inviting me to these great affairs.  In 
typical Catherine Reynolds style, the details of the evening were amazing.  Great food 
and elegant wines (Montrachet and Margaux) and champagne (Dom Perignon).  Guests 
were terrific.  Sens. Daschle, Cochrane, Byron Dornan; Bob Barnett,; Congressman 
Dingle; Mack McCarty; John Negroponte; Mike Chertoff Steve and Alice Rosenberg, 
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
166etc.   Highlight of the evening was the command private performance by Bernadette 
Peters, who was amazing – talented and beautiful at 60 years old (next month)!  I was 
struck by how short she is in real life.  Google lists her as 5’3”, but she was about 1.5 
inches shorter then I and she had spiked (3 inch) heels on – great looking woman and 
incredibly nice as we spoke with her after the performance.
Jan. 26, 2008 – Activity mostly centered around the Democrat and Republic primaries.  
McCain surging from way behind, Giuliani is out.  Obama closing in on Hillary.
Jan. 28, 2008 – Went to White House to nail down with Dan Price, Gary Edson, Patrick 
Marcham, Mark Dybul, Paul Brown, Bobby Pittman and others the various aspects of the 
initiatives that the POTUS might want to announce at G-8, or the Upcoming (Feb) Africa 
trip, or the DC Global Health Summit.  My TB vaccine initiative ($40 million) is in.  
Malaria vaccine and drug discovery is likely out.  Neglected Tropical Diseases is in.
   That night, in the SOTU Address, the POTUS asked for $30 billion for PEPFAR and 
praised the POTUS Malaria Initiative (PMI).
Feb. 1, 2008 – Did dry run of my upcoming presentation to VP Cheney on Bruce Miller.  
He really liked it.  Will soon set up for the VP.
Feb. 3, 2008 – NY Giants beat NE Patriots in an upset in the Super bowl played in 
Phoenix.  NY’s defensive line kept Tom Brady off balance all night and Eli Manning 
played incredibly well.
Feb. 4, 2008 – CROI meeting in Boston.  Went to show the flag, meet with African 
investigators from Uganda (Rakai) and see vaccine presentations.  Ron Desrosiers gave 
his talk about the imbalance between discovery and development in vaccine agenda and 
said there is no evidence that any existing vaccine candidate will work.  I do not 
necessarily disagree; however, he was terribly gratuitous in saying that “The NIH has lost 
its way on vaccine research”.   It is easy to criticize and place blame…much easier than 
having creative ideas to solve the problem.  He is not a bad guy, but he was an asshole 
today.
Feb. 6, 2008 – Had lunch at café Milano with Franco Nuschese (Owner of Café Milano) 
to discuss an issue with the United Arab Emirates (UAE).  He would like to bring the 
health minister to the USA and have me show him around the NIH.  Also, he wants me to 
go to UAE and help them with advice about research programs, i.e. establish an NIH-like 
system in UAE.  Franco knows the Middle east well since he has many contacts there and 
want to help the country develop their biomedical research enterprise.  He will arrange 
appropriate meetings.
Feb 8-9, 2008 – Flew to San Francisco and took “red-eye” back to give the Merle Sande 
memorial Lecture at the Gladstone Institute at SF General Hospital (Mission Bay 
Campus).  Warner Greene (Director, Gladstone) and Tom Quinn arranged the visit.  I 
gave a lecture of “HIV/AIDS in 2008” and paid tribute to merle.  Told some stories about 
our friendship and experiences on the NY Hospital House Staff together where he was 
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
168situation in Washington, D.C. re: HIV/AIDS.  He was shocked at the numbers – DC is 
9X the national average for prevalence; 5% of the entire DC population is infected.
Feb. 20-21, 2008 – Went to University of Chicago to deliver interdisciplinary lecture on 
HIV/AIDS.  Had dinner with Megan at Volare restaurant.  Went over very well and then 
flew early on AM of 21 Feb to DC to go directly to the White House for meeting with 
Dan Price, Gary Edson, Mark Dybul, Patrick Marcham, Paul Brown, Tim Ziemer to 
discuss malaria, TB, health care workers and other initiative.  I am pushing for the 
tripling of resources ($20 M to $60 M) for TB vaccine research.
    We had a big week with the POTUS visit to Africa and receiving great praise and 
affection for the PEPFAR and PMI programs.  POTUS announced a $350 M, 5 year 
program on Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) to include attempt to eradicate in 300 
million people in certain African , Asian and Latin American countries – Lymphatic 
filariasis, Onchocerciasis, Schistosomiasis, trachoma and ground worms (whipworm, 
hookworm, and roundworm).  This is the same program that Gary Edson and I proposed 
3 years ago and so our prior work has belatedly come to fruition.  Great news!
Feb. 26, 2008 – My picture and a story concerning me (in part) appeared in the Science 
Section of the New York Times today.  It was related to the interview that I gave in 
Toronto last summer to 2 small children with the theme of explaining HIV/AIDS to little 
children.  The filmakers were the children’s parents.
Mar. 3, 2008 – Participated in a State Department function for Jenna Bush on the 
occasion of celebrating her new book  “Ana’s Story:  A Journey of Hope”.  Took place in 
the main auditorium of the State department.  I was the main speaker and spoke on “The 
Global Effects of HIV/AIDS and the origins of PEPFAR”.  Other speakers were Kristen 
Silverberg, Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs, and Karl 
Zinmeister, Director of the White House Domestic Policy Council.  Got a chance to chat 
a fair amount with Jenna Bush as we waited together for the affair to begin.  She is a very 
nice person who said that she was “in awe” of me because of all of the amazing things 
that I have accomplished over the years.  She worked for UNICEF for a year in Jamaica 
and also spent time in Panama doing AIDS work.  Very nice person; has a smile exactly 
like her father.  I gave a history of the origins of PEPFAR and a short summary of 
HIV/AIDS.  I showed the MMWRs from June 4 and July 5, 1981.  When Jenna got up to 
speak, she remarked to the audience how impressed she was with me and my work over 
so many years and when I showed the 1981 slide, she was floored by the fact that I was 
involved in AIDS then and that was the year that she was born.
Mar. 5, 2008 – Meeting in White House (EEOB 445) led by Bob Kadlec of HSC..  Was 
“Top Secret” meeting on anthrax threat with emphasis on drug resistant and even vaccine 
resistant anthrax.  Based on supposed intelligence that Al Qaeda has been “talking about” 
anthrax and based on supposed documents captured from Al Qaeda.  We were briefed by 
2 CIA young women who provided the same vague, soft and even embarrassingly bad 
intelligence that I have been briefed on several times before by CIA.  One gets a very bad 
impression of the quality of our intelligence based on meetings such as this.  Also present 
were Julie Gerberding, Art Friedlander, Ben Petro, Gerry Parker and a whole bunch of 
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
169CIA, Counter-terrorist people, Defense intelligence people, etc.  Subject was how do we 
protect against drug resistant anthrax and vaccine resistant anthrax.
Mar. 8, 2008 -  Busy and nice social evening.  Dropped in briefly to the NCS Annual 
Spring Festival “Casino Night” at the Athletic Center.  Said hello to the usual suspects 
and then went to the Newseum at 555 Pennsylvania Avenue to celebrate the 65th Birthday 
of Gerry Sigal.  Beautiful setting with bay window view of the Capitol Dome.  Great 
food, drink and dancing.  Joe Wilson and Valerie Plame at our table.  Elias and Nadia 
Zerhouni were dancing away with us on the dance floor.  DC was beautiful with crisp 
cold weather (upper 20s) and clear sky.
Mar. 10, 2008 – Another in a long string of Global Health initiative meetings at the 
White House (EEOB 374) led by Dan Price (see above) with Gary Edson, Mark Dybul, 
Patrick Marcham, Mike Magan, Paul Brown, Dana  DeRuiter.  Mainly discussed Dan 
plans for the upcoming G-8 meeting in Japan (he is USG Sherpa).  Issues are NTDs, 
heath workforce, HIV, Malaria, and TB.  I was there representing the malaria and TB 
initiatives (see above).  Apparently Josh Bolten is enthusiastic about both, but HHS is not 
supporting it since their priority in a bad budget year is pandemic flu and biodefense.  
Nonetheless, I am still going to these meetings and pushing the TB and Malaria agenda .  
I can do this since Dan Price (with Josh Bolten’s approval) is including me in the process 
even though the HHS is against it.
Mar. 19, 2008 – A most amazing and unique evening.  Michael Gerson (former Bush 
speech-writer and advisor) and current Washington Post columnist (see other discussions 
above) invited Chris and me to his house for a private dinner with President and Laura 
Bush.  Other guests were Fred and Barbara Barnes (Fred is Executive Editor of The 
Weekly Standard , Bill and Hara Haley (Bill is pastor of a DC Church and is interested in 
AIDS in Africa), and Mike and his wife Dawn.  Dinner was at Mike’s home at 2412 
Crest Street, Alexandria.  It was somewhat surreal, but incredibly enjoyable.  The 
occasion was just that Mike is good friends with the POTUS and when he had breakfast 
with the POTUS a few weeks ago he asked the POTUS if he would like to have dinner 
over his house some time with a few friends.  The POTUS gladly accepted and said that 
he almost never goes out to private dinners at people’s homes because no one ever asks 
him, likely because they would reasonably assume that he would not accept.  Evening 
started at 7:00 PM.  We had to get their earlier (^:45 PM) since the secret service closed 
the roads (395) to make way for the motorcade.  We had about 45 minutes of cocktail 
hour (POTUS had non-alcoholic beer).  Very friendly chatting about a variety of subjects.  
My long-time impressions of the POTUS held true that he is a very warm, funny and 
considerate, self-effacing person. Laura was great also.  Laura and the POTUS 
specifically thanked me for saying such nice things about him and Laura at Jenna Bush’s 
event at the State Department (see Mar. 3 above).  POTUS said that Jenna saw him and 
Laura that night and told them how kind I was to them in explaining the POTUS role in 
PEPFAR.  He sounded very sincere in thanking me for “making my daughter proud of 
me”.
   Dinner was terrific with nice wines, tomato soup, steak/potatoes, salad with bacon, and 
fruit dessert.  At dinner we discussed frankly a wide variety of topics including: War in 
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
170Iraq; his recent trip to Africa; his dealing with various Heads of State; the upcoming 
Summer Olympics in Beijing and why he really must attend despite the current 
misbehavior of China in brutally suppressing the Tibetan call for freedom. He told a great 
story of when former Prince and now King of Saudi Arabia visited him at his ranch in 
Crawford and negotiations about the Israel/Palestine problem came up.  They reached an 
impasse since the POTUS thought that the Prince was being frankly anti-Semitic and the 
discussions stalled.  The POTUS would not yield on one point and the Prince announced 
that he was leaving.  POTUS sent in Colin Powell to convince him not to but Colin cane 
back and told POTUS “Boss, I am getting nowhere with him; you have to step in”.  The 
POTUS visited the Prince, perceived the “chilly” atmosphere in the room and said before 
we discuss anything, let me tell you what my religion has done for me.  The prince 
agreed and then the POTUS asked the Prince to talk about what the Prince’s religion 
means to him.  This warmed up the chill and POTUS took him out on his pickup truck to 
tour the ranch alone.  As they were talking about the problem, a turkey hen jumped up in 
front of the truck and just stayed in the road.  The POTUS said that he had never seen a 
turkey on the road before.  POTUS explained what a turkey was and how Ben Franklin 
almost got the turkey to be the National bird, but the bald eagle won out.  The Prince said 
that in his country god often speaks to people through birds and this is clearly a sign from 
god.  After that, the negotiations flourished and POTUS and the king have been the best 
of friends.
   The conversation also included discussions about us and our families.  The POTUS and 
Laura were very interested in Jenny’s thesis on women in the criminal justice system. I 
explained what she was doing and how she decided on this topic.  He seemed very 
connected and empathetic to the problems of young girls getting caught up in the system.  
He also expressed concern that black leaders are not speaking up more about black men 
abandoning their children after they have them leading to the incredible statistics of out-
of-wedlock pregnancies among blacks.
   POTUS also thinks that the Dems will go into the convention with Obama ahead and 
that it will be a behind closed doors brokered convention.  He said, “if it is a behind 
closed doors convention, there is no chance that Obama will out-maneuver the Clinton 
machine.  She will be the nominee, split the party and McCain will win.
 After dinner we all went over an Photo album of the POTUS and First Lady’s recent 
visit to Africa.  The President left at about 9:25 PM in a 6 to 8 car motorcade.
  All in all it was an incredibly memorable evening.  
     
   Earlier in the day I briefed Ms. Sandra Roelofs, the First Lady of Georgia.  She is 
Dutch and a nursing student.  She was interested is speaking to me because she had heard 
about my AIDS work.  We spoke of TB, AIDS and other IDs.  She had earlier in the day 
had lunch with Laura and Jenna Bush.  Actually, Laura mentioned this to me at Gerson’s 
house.
Mar. 25, 2008 – I organized and ran what might be an historic meeting today on the 
future of HIV Vaccine Research.  Ever since the disappointing results from the STEP 
trial (Merck ad5 prime-boost – see above), there has been increasing pressure within 
ourselves and in the scientific and certain activist communities to re-evaluate whether we 
should turn the knob of support more towards basic discovery as opposed to clinical trials 
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
171of vaccine candidates for an HIV vaccine.  On Nov. 16, 2007 I received a letter from a 
group of basic scientist/animal model HIV researchers asking to meet with me following 
the failed STEP trial in which vaccinated people with pre-existing Ad5 titers actually 
seemed to have an increased risk of HIV acquisition compared to placebo.  They felt that 
we were wasting money on vaccine trials which they claimed had no basis to predict 
success based on animal model data.  They were particularly concerned about going 
ahead with Gary Nobel’s VRC trial –PAVE 100 that tested  3 DNA primes followed by 
an Ad5 boost.  However, others point out that the animal model has not been validated in 
the human and so unfortunately, we are really flying blind.  In any event, in a manner 
similar to how I handled the AIDS activists >20 years ago in that same room (31/7A-24), 
I listened and suggested that we have HIV Vaccine Summit to discuss the direction of 
AIDS research.  Hence the meeting today.
    Just a few days ago, a group called AIDS healthcare Foundation stated that we should 
stop ALL HIV vaccine research and put the money towards proven prevention activities.  
   We had the Summit today and it was enormously successful.  I played an active 
leadership role in the process as opposed to just listening.  The meeting was chaired by 
Warner Greene and Adel Mahmoud and there were 3 panels: 1) basic discovery chaired 
by Jim Hoxie and Dennis Burton; 2) animal models chaired by David Watkins and 
Malcolm Martin; and 3) Clinical Research chaired by Scott Hammer and Julie 
Overbaugh.  
   Great press coverage.  I concluded at end of meeting that we would indeed turn the 
knob more towards basic discovery research and promised an immediate $10 Million for 
a broad RFA to come from moneys saved from truncating some of the clinical trial 
activity such as a tighter PAVE 100.  Recall that our budget has been flat for the past 5 
years and so there is no extra money coming in.
   Below is an article from the NY Times by Larry Altman from Mar. 26 that summarized 
the Mar. 25 meeting:
Rethinking Is Urged on a Vaccine for AIDS 
By LAWRENCE K. ALTMAN
WASHINGTON — Researchers must go back to the drawing board before they can 
develop an effective vaccine against H.I.V., AIDS experts said at a scientific meeting on 
Tuesday.
And Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, the top federal official responsible for AIDS research, agreed 
that more fundamental knowledge is needed about H.I.V. and the way the body and 
experimental vaccines respond to it before the goal of a licensed H.I.V. vaccine can be 
reached. Dr. Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious 
Diseases, pledged to re-evaluate the use of all $1.5 billion his agency spends on AIDS 
research to come up with the necessary money.
“Everything is on the table,” Dr. Fauci said at the one-day meeting, a Town Hall-type 
discussion for vaccine researchers on how best to spend federal H.I.V. vaccine money in 
light of a budget that has been flat for several years.
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
172“There is not an immediate solution to the problem,” Dr. Fauci said in an interview. But, 
he also said, the budgetary constraints mean that “we are going to have to justify what we 
are doing” and determine what steps to take after further discussions in smaller meetings 
with researchers.
The reassessment comes after last September’s widely publicized failure of what had 
been the most promising candidate for an H.I.V. vaccine. Many health officials believe 
that an effective vaccine would be the most crucial weapon in stopping the H.I.V. 
pandemic.
Scientists do not have a full understanding of why the vaccine failed, or why it was 
possibly harmful, in two large trials in the United States and South Africa. Dr. Fauci’s 
institute helped pay for the trials of the vaccine, which was made by Merck. Such failures 
have led a number of scientists to challenge the direction of federal H.I.V. research.
On Tuesday, the AIDS Health Care Foundation called for the suspension of money for 
H.I.V. vaccine research and reallocating resources into effective H.I.V./AIDS prevention, 
testing and treatment strategies.
But Dr. Fauci strongly rejected the proposal. “Under no circumstances will we stop AIDS 
vaccine research,” Dr. Fauci said at the conclusion of the meeting.
Dr. James Hoxie of the University of Pennsylvania echoed the belief of many other 
participants by saying, “we are not close to having a vaccine” and “there is a tremendous 
need for innovation” in developing one.
Experts at the meeting also said that Dr. Fauci’s agency needed to support efforts to 
further develop animal models of human H.I.V. The experts also urged greater 
cooperation between AIDS scientists who work on such animal models and those who 
are trying to develop an H.I.V. vaccine for humans.
A crucial issue is supporting younger researchers to replace the cadre of veteran AIDS 
scientists, many of whom are working beyond traditional retirement age. Dr. Fauci said a 
first step would be to pare existing projects to immediately provide $10 million to $15 
million for about 30 grants to be awarded to scientists who propose novel ideas. Some of 
the grants would be used to support young researchers, he said.
Some scientists support conducting large vaccine trials in humans before all the fine 
points of the vaccine research are complete in animals because of the urgency of the 
pandemic.
Others urge caution out of fear that failures could destroy confidence among uninfected 
people most at risk who would be needed as volunteers in future trials.
Equally vocal groups call for testing everything as soon as the research shows promise 
because of the urgent need for a vaccine.
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
173Dr. Warner C. Greene, a co-chairman of the meeting and director of the Gladstone 
Institute of Virology and Immunology in San Francisco, said he hoped that a century 
from now, historians looking back on the AIDS pandemic would view Tuesday’s meeting 
as a turning point. 
Mar. 26, 2008 – Rave reviews coming in regarding “my leadership” during the Summit.  
Went down to White House (NEOB 5235) to brief OSTP WH Science Advisor Jack 
Marburger and his staff together with staff from FLOTUS on the HIV vaccine situation, 
particularly given all of the publicity.  I had appeared on NBC News, VOA, Bloomberg 
TV as well as articles in Washington Post, NY Times (see above) and WSJ.  Now we 
need to follow-up with RFA’s etc.
April 1 and 2, 2008 – Visited Princeton University  to Deliver the Inaugural Adel 
Mahmoud Lectureship and to participate in a Panel discussion with Bill Frist, Andrew 
McGuire, and Beatrice Hahn at a Symposium on “No Country Left Behind:  
Transforming Global Health given by the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and 
International Affairs.  Bill Frist spent some time telling the audience that if it were not for 
me PEPFAR would not have happened.  Had dinner at a Princeton mansion, went to Adel 
Mahmoud’s and Sally Hodder’s home (where I stayed overnight – beautiful modern 
Salvatore Dali-like home) for after dinner cocktails with some of the Princeton Faculty.  
Was very impressed with the commitment to teaching students that I saw among the 
faculty as well as the competency and popularity of Shirley Tilghman (President).  Next 
day taught a class in the Dept. of Molecular Biology run by Leon Rosenberg and Adel 
Mahmoud. Spoke about the evolution of my career.  Students were great.
   On evening of April 2, had long interview with Meredith Wadman of Nature who is 
doing a story on PEPFAR and wanted a bit of the history.
April 3 – June 10, 2008 – Very busy and eventful times.  Had virtually no time to enter 
events into diary.  We try to summarize.  The Democratic primary loomed hot and heavy 
with Hillary refusing to concede despite the fact that numerically it was impossible for 
her to pull ahead of Barack Obama.  Finally after the Oregon (Obama) and South Dakota 
(Clinton) primary, she begrudgingly conceded on June 6.
April 21 – Participated with Sec. Leavitt in a “Georgetown Conversations” function at 
the home of April and John Delaney in Potomac, MD.  This series is sponsored by Meryl 
Chertoff (Mike Chertoff’s wife) and Larry Gostin.  Bring together a bunch of prominent 
people in an elegant home and make brief statement, followed by Qs and As and then 
dinner.  Very enjoyable.
April 26 – Went to Chicago for the AAP Annual Meeting to induct Bob Seder into the 
AAP (I sponsored him).  Saw Megan and had a nice brunch and then went to L.A. for the 
Milken Institute’s Annual Global Conference where I participated in 2 stimulating Panel 
Discussions on Global Health.  Greg Simon (Al Gore’s former Chief-of-Staff) got me 
involved.  Met a lot of political financial backers at the meeting.  Had dinner at the L.A. 
mansion (Sunset Boulevard) of Lynda and Stewart Resnick and gave dinner remarks.
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
175June 17, 2008 –   I will be attending 
his memorial service at the Kennedy Center tomorrow.
    Bono called me today to congratulate me on receiving the Presidential Medal of 
Freedom.  I caught him up on my family and mentioned that Megan was starting at 
Columbia in September.  His daughter Jordan (JoJo) is also starting Columbia.  He asked 
me to send him Megan’s contact information since he is worried that his daughter will be 
lonely since she is coming directly from Ireland.  Perhaps they will become friends.
June 18, 2008 – Attended the memorial service for Tim Russert at the Kennedy Center.   
Extraordinary Washington affair with the total “A list” present.   Hosted by Tom Brokaw.   
See book published in 2013 called “This Town” by Marc Liebovich for full details of the 
ceremony.
June 19, 2008 – Extraordinary day at the White House for the Presidential Medal of 
Freedom Ceremonies.  Crisp, clear blue sky, sunny and comfortable day.  A lot of joy in 
the presentations (see my written file records of what was said about me by the POTUS).  
Very good media coverage.   The presentations for everyone were very warm.  Lots of 
wonderful pictures.  Many guests (some of whom came for me) such as Justice Scalia, 
Sam Donaldson, Cuba Gooding, Judge Merrick Arlen, Gen. Richard Meyers,, etc.  I had 
very warm interaction with the POTUS.  When we approached him with my group of 10 
(Chris, Jenny, Ali, Denise and Jack, Cliff Lane, Hugh Auchincloss, J.J. McGowan, Greg 
Folkers and Patty Conrad) to take a group Picture, the POTUS hugged me and put his lips 
to my ears and said, “I love you Tony, Thanks for all you do for our country and the 
world”.  The ceremony took place in the east Room and the reception took place in the 
Banquet room of the East Wing.  After the ceremony we watched from the balcony as the 
POTUS took off in Marine One for a tour of the flood damage in Iowa.
   After the reception, Chris took off with Ali to fly to Chicago to bring home Megan 
from her year there.  Jenny is home after graduation trying to decide what she will do 
next year.
June 21 – 29, 2008 – Extraordinary trip to Greece with Chris, Jenny, Megan and Alison.  
I went first to Thessaloniki to deliver Keynote Address at the Immunocompromised Host 
Society Chaired by Steve Holland.  Spoke on HIV/AIDS (of course).  Then met family in 
Athens where I received an honorary doctorate at the University of Athens sponsored by 
Haralampous (Harry) Moutsopoulos, my old friend from NIH days 30 years ago.  
Absolutely fabulous time, elegant hotel (Grand Bretagne), wonderful food, elegant 
ceremony (very formal with old robes), sight-seeing at Acropolis, Agora, Old Olympic 
Stadium.  Then spent 3 days on the island of Santorini (Ali picked the place) in a 
beautiful, but understated beachfront Hotel with Harry and his wife Foteini.  Santorini is 
a volcanic island of indescribable beauty.  Perfect weather – no clouds at all for 1 week in 
Greece.  Great hospitality, especially from Harris Roussos, an old and dear friend of 
Harry’s who runs the biggest hospital in Athens and who owns an elegant home in 
Santorini.  They threw a “Greek-Style” party for us one night.  Spent evenings eating 
Released by Chairman Rand Paul

176elegant meals at mountain cliff restaurant or on the beach.  Visited Oia, Fira – stayed at 
Kamara Beach.  One of the best vacations (albeit brief) that I have ever experienced.
July 3, 2008 – Gave lecture at the Ideas Festival at Aspen, CO on HIV/AIDS in 2025:  
Will we have a vaccine and a cure by then?”.  Usual ambiance of Aspen with nice dinner 
on the night of July 2 catered by the famous Alice Waters of Chez Panisse in Berkley, 
CA and narrated by Corby Kummer, renowned food critic of The Atlantic (also the 
person who lent us his apartment in Boston for Jenny’s graduation (see above).  Met 
usual celebrities at dinner.  Spoke with Chris Jennings (Clinton’s Health person who is 
now with the Obama Campaign since Obama won the primary.  He wants to get me 
involved as a person to advice the campaign informally about what they are on track with 
certain issues.
July 6, 2008 – Wonderful day.  Chris Hultzen arranged to have Danny and Joe Hultzen 
and their friend Austin do “batting practice” with me at STA field.  Danny pitched to me 
and it was terrific. I hit several line drives to outfield, but the distance was poor, nothing 
like the fence shots that Danny and the others were hitting.  It is clear that my power is no 
where near Danny’s and the others.  I pitched to Danny and he hit some over the right 
field fence.
July 17, 2008 – Made what some are saying is a “landmark decision not to proceed with 
the PAVE 100 HIV vaccine trial of the NIAID VRC product.  This followed weeks and 
months of committee meetings and recommendation such as the AIDS Vaccine Research 
Subcommittee (AVRS) who voted to proceed and the Strategic Working Group (SWG) 
who voted not to proceed.  The issue was that the Merck STEP trial failed and actually 
had some safety issues.  The PAVE trial is somewhat different (3 DNA primes and an 
Ad5 boost containing env) from the STEP trial (3 Ad5s without env), yet the preliminary 
immunological data from PAVE 100 was in my mind (some such as Gary Nabel 
disagreed) not much better than those of STEP.  I received many e-mails from people 
arguing for and against.  The decision was mine alone and I decided to reject the 
proposed PAVE trial of 2400 people since it was powered to do immunological correlates 
on a subgroup who might seem to benefit even if the endpoint of the entire group was not 
“effective”, i.e. decrease in viral set point after infection.  I argue that if the trial failed, I 
am not interested in the immunological correlates in a subgroup since this has no 
statistical value.  There was much activity in the Press about my decision and the 
feedback was overwhelming that I had made the right choice.  I encouraged Larry Corey 
of HVTN and Scott Hammer the PI of PAVE to come back to me with a “leaner, meaner” 
protocol that is less expensive, fewer people, less samples to ask if the product works.  If 
it does, then we will go back and do immune correlates.
July 30, 2008 – Christine, Meg and Ali left for Rwanda to spend 2 weeks working with 
Paul Farmer in his Clinic.  More later.
July 30, 2008 – Invited to the White House (East Room) to witness and celebrate the 
signing by the POTUS of the reauthorization of PEPFAR at $48 Billion.  The law is 
officially H.R. 5501 – The Tom Lantos and Henry J. Hyde United States Global 
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
177leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria reauthorization Act of 2008.  
The usual cast of HIV-related characters was there.  It felt good to see the attention, 
success and promise of a project that I developed. Now we need to make sure that this 
reauthorization ultimately turns into an appropriation.
July 31 – Sept. 15, 2008 – Busy summer with little time with family.  Chris and girls 
went to beach while I stayed for duties at work.  Chris, Megan and Ali went to Rwanda to 
work with Paul Farmer for 2 ½ weeks.  I did not go since I had to give Keynote Lecture 
at the IAS Meeting in Mexico City (August 3-8).  I focused on a discussion of whether 
we will ever have a “cure” or a vaccine for HIV.  It stirred much discussion and was well 
received.
    We moved Megan into her dorm at Columbia last week in August.  It was great fun.  I 
have a very good feeling about Columbia and hope Megan has a good experience.  
   Jenny has taken a job teaching in a Charter School in the Brownsville Section of 
Brooklyn (adjacent to Bedford-Stuyvesant).  She is living in Prospect Heights-Crown 
Heights.  After my childhood growing up in Brooklyn, I never would have imagined that 
my 22 year old daughter would be living in the toughest section of Brooklyn.  She loves 
teaching the children.
   Amazing political season in Washington, D.C.  Sarah Palin has been chosen as John 
McCain’s running mate and this has shifted the momentum (amazingly so) to the 
Republicans since she has energized the far-right conservative base. I may be pre-
judging, but she seems to be totally unqualified to be Vice-President (or President) of the 
USA.
   On Sept. 14, went to a great BBQ party at Sam Donaldson’s home in McLean, VA.  All 
the usual suspects were there with whom I have become friends with over the years and 
we talked election year politics:  Colin and Alma Powell, Lee Hamilton, Bob Barnett, 
Fred and Marlene Maleck, John and Debbie Dingel, Bill and Janet Cohen, Wayne and 
Catherine Reynolds, Steve and Alice Rosenberg, Ben and Candy Carson, Birch and Kitty 
Bayh, and many others.
  On the evening of Sept. 15 Chris and I attended one of the spectacularly elegant 
reception/dinner parties hosted by Wayne and Catherine Reynolds at the Eisenhower 
Theater of the Kennedy center to celebrate the re-opening (after upgrading) of the 
Theater.  Again, all the usual suspects of Washington glitterati were there – most people 
from Sam Donaldson’s party the night before as well as many other media, government 
and military people: Gens. Jim Walston, Wesley Clark, James Jones, Colin Powell; the 
Eisenhower grandchildren (Anne and Susan); journalists (Chris Wallace, Wolf Blitzer) 
and on and on.  Really a very relaxed evening with spectacular entertainment.  The 
reception was in the foyer outside the Theater and the dinner was right on the Theater 
Stage with performances by dance troupes, Jane Alexander, the entire original cast of 
“Mame” right within a foot or two of the dinner tables.  Wayne and Catherine do it again!
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
178Sept. 16, 2008 – Testified before Rep. Henry Waxman’s House Committee on Oversight 
and Government Reform in Rayburn House Building Room 2154. Topic = HIV 
prevention in light of the new numbers from CDC showing that the incidence in USA of 
HIV is worse than was previously calculated – 56, 300 versus 40,000.  Other main 
witness was Julie Gerberding with Kevin Fenton of CDC and Tom Insel of NIH as back-
ups.  Hearing went very well – generally friendly.  Maxine Waters gave Julie Gerberding 
a hard time about not acting with leadership in a “crisis”.  I stated that needle-exchange 
works and that abstinence only does not work.  This may upset some ideologues in HHS 
or the WH.  Mild Fall day – slightly cloudy.
Sept. 23-30, 2008 – Major crisis on Wall Street and in the banking industry with big 
banks and financial institutions failing – Lehman Brothers (Bankrupt), Fannie Mae and 
Freddie Mack taken over by the government, AIG bailed out by the government; many 
buyouts and mergers, stock market plunged by 777 points in 1 day – largest drop ever.  
Congress trying to agree on a $700 Billion bailout package for financial institutions to 
restore the credit flow in the USA.  Big problems!!
Oct. 1, 2008 – On Sept. 23, 2008 Elias Zerhouni announced that he would step down as 
NIH Director at the end of October, right before the election to avoid any confusion about 
political issues and to call attention to the vacancy for the incoming transition.  I was 
asked to be Acting Director and refused; Steve Katz was considered but was rejected by 
the WH because of the LA Times story on him and conflict of interest a few years ago.  
Betsy Nabel either withdrew her name or was not asked because of an issue of a COI of 
one of her recently hired Senior Advisors.  Raynard Kington (current deputy NIH 
Director) should have been asked directly but was not.  Not clear why the DHHS and/or 
the WH are uncomfortable with him.  One version is that he is not well known in the 
Congress and among constituencies; anther more cynical version is that the WH has a 
problem with a gay man (he is married and has an adopted child).  The WH and/or DHHS 
tried to then get me to agree to be publicly appointed as a “Senior Advisor” to the Acting 
Director to quell the concerns of the outside people and indicate that a strong, visible, 
experienced person such as me was “watching the store” even though Kington would be 
appointed as the official Acting Director.  I told Elias and Jamie Burke (White House 
Liason Office) that this was impossible and no way would I do this.  I told them explicitly 
that I did not want to do it in the first place; second – it was an insult to Kington and 
would undermine his authority; third – people would come directly to me and circumvent 
Kington’s authority; fourth – it looks stupid.  She actually agreed and so the decision was 
to appoint Kington cleanly and have me be available “behind the scenes with no 
announcements” to advise him if he needed advice.
Oct. 2, 2008 – Gave Inaugural Ben Kean Lecture on Global Health at New York 
Presbyterian Hospital - Weill Cornell Medical Center.  Great déjà vu  feeling about my 
years there.  Much adulation among house staff at lecture and morning report.
Oct. 3 – 4, 2008 – Went to Parent’s Weekend at Columbia for Megan.  Jenny (living in 
Brooklyn) joined Chris and me for a couple of dinners with Meg. Went to Columbia-
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
179Princeton football game.  Great weekend.  Jenny, Meg and I watched the Sarah Palin – 
Joe Biden debate.  What an idiot Palin is!!
      Stock Market is tumbling badly.  It is scary as it looks like it is crashing as a result of 
the bank credit crunch that is causing anxiety of Wall Street.  When this settles, I will re-
think the advisability of my even being invested in Wall Street as opposed to safe Money 
Market investment or T bills.
Oct. 6, 2008 – Big news today.  Nobel Prize in Medicine or Physiology given to 
Francoise Barre-Sinoussi and Luc Montagnier for HIV and to Harald Zur Hausen for 
HPV discovery..  This is a big slight to Gallo, likely because of the controversy from the 
1980s.  The Committee could have given the 3 (limit) to HIV and save HPV for another 
year; yet they combined them and thus Gallo was out since it is clear from the 1983 
Science paper that Montagnier and Barre-Sinoussi discovered the virus first, although 
Gallo proved cause effect one year later and discovered TCGF (IL-2) that allowed 
everyone to grow T cells in culture and hence grow the virus.
     Gave the after dinner address at the Woodrow Wilson Internal Center for Scholars 
Dinner for their Board of Trustees, Councilors, and Scholars at the Ronald Reagan 
Building in DC.  Cool, crisp night.  I was invited by Lee Hamilton. Many notable people 
there including Sam and Jan Donaldson, Marvin Kalb, Robin Cook, etc.  I spoke on 
HIV/AIDS:  An Historical Perspective.  Talk extremely well received.
Oct. 11 – 16, 2008 – Traveled to Cape Town, South Africa to deliver a keynote address 
at the 2008 AIDS Vaccine Meeting on “An HIV Vaccine: Science and Policy”.  The talk 
was very well received.  I spoke of the particular challenges of  HIV vaccinology 
compared with “classical” vaccinology.  Weather was beautiful and the city was in my 
mind a cross between San Francisco and Rio de Janeiro.  We took a drive on Monday 
AM, Oct. 13 around the countryside to vineyards and around the historical parts of the 
city.  Most disturbing to me was the conditions that I saw at the “townships” a few miles 
outside of the city.  Particularly disturbing was Khayelitsha township that seemed to go 
on for miles with huts that were made of corrugated tin roofs and plywood and other soft 
material.  The huts were smack next to each other with very little room between them to 
even walk outside.  Apparently they have electricity in some huts and common water 
sources and latrines, but I cannot imagine anyone living there.  The black South Africans 
say that it is not as bad as it looks and they are gradually trying to phase them out and 
replace them with regular housing.  I cannot judge since this is the first time that I have 
seen them, but I would flatten the whole thing now and build high-rises.  Problem is that 
hundreds of thousands of people live there and you cannot just displace them now 
without a facility to put them in.
   I have some concern at this point that the Vaccine Enterprise in the person of Allan 
Bernstein is looking for ways to change the direction of HIV vaccine research even 
though he has been in the field only for months.  He is a very good guy, but I repeat my 
usual statement of “everybody wants to be somebody” and “beware of people who do not 
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
182Anthony Fauci
 
On the art of persuasion. There's more than one way to get to the goal that you want to 
get to, but once you compromise your own principles, then you're lost. You're really lost. 
You just can't do that, even if it means that people are going to be disappointed in you 
and you might not find yourself in the inner circle. Every time I go to a meeting in the 
[White House's] Roosevelt Room or the Oval Office or in the chambers of Congress, I 
keep in my mind that I may have to say something that will disappoint people, and if that 
disappointment leads to my not getting asked back, so be it.
On being principled without destroying relationships. You maintain a respect for the 
other person, and you reflect that in how you deal with that person—although you may 
disagree with them, you respect them and their right to have their view. I've had 
discussions with people who somehow just didn't get it. You never walk away in 
frustration. Some people feel, you make your case, if they listen to you, fine, if they don't, 
that's it. That's not what leadership is. Leadership is trying to continue to make a case.
•Click here for more of America's Best Leaders 
•Click here for more on Anthony Fauci
America's Best Leaders 2008
David Gergen: Obama Is a Leader of Great Potential, but He Can’t Do 
It Alone 
This year’s Best Leaders are the kind of people who can help him lead us out of our 
doldrums.
Lance Armstrong 
Cyclist and Advocate Making tireless efforts on behalf of cancer survivors like himself.
David Baltimore  
California Institute of Technology This Nobel-winning scientist leads with "a little bit of 
chutzpah."
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
183Regina Benjamin 
Le Batre Rural Health Clinic  She believes that living in a tiny rural town shouldn't mean 
giving up big-city healthcare.
Jeff Bezos 
Amazon.com The founder of the massive online retailer is a true Internet pioneer.
Terence Blanchard and Herbie Hancock 
Thelonious Monk Institute Their Thelonius Monk Institute of Jazz brings music education 
to public schools.
Benjamin Carson 
Johns Hopkins Hospital A talented pediatric neurosurgeon and activist for inner-city kids.
Manny Diaz 
Mayor of Miami A son of Cuban immigrants, Diaz leads one of the nation's major 
multicultural cities.
Marian Wright Edelman  
Children's Defense Fund A civil rights pioneer and crusader on behalf of children.
Anthony Fauci 
National Institute of Allergies & Infectious Diseases A leader on HIV/AIDS and a 
straight talker on key health issues.
Mike Feinberg and Dave Levin 
Knowledge Is Power Program Raising educational expectations in underserved 
communities.
Opinion
The Financial Crisis Kills Trust in Leaders 
Bill George: We must do more than fix the crisis; we need to fix the mindset that got us 
into it.
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
184Obama and American Followership 
Barbara Kellerman: At this moment in history, diffusion of power overwhelms 
leadership.
Robert Gates 
Secretary of Defense Pentagon chief looks for uses of "soft power" in a hard power 
world.
Fiona Harrison and Maria Zuber 
NASA scientists The first two women to head their own NASA robotic space missions.
Freeman Hrabowski 
University of Maryland-Baltimore County He helped turn a no-name commuter college 
into a center for math and science.
Amory Lovins 
Rocky Mountain Institute  For this bright light in the field of alternative energy, it's all 
about efficiency.
Anne Mulcahy 
Xerox In reforming a troubled company, she had the courage to say "No" to Wall Street.
Indra Nooyi 
PepsiCo Karaoke-singing chief executive is taking Pepsi in an unlikely direction--toward 
healthful foods.
Linda Rottenberg 
Endeavor Her nonprofit seeks to build profitable small businesses on a global scale.
Jeffrey Sachs 
United Nations Millennium Project An academic who looks for real-world ways to beat 
global poverty.
Steven Spielberg 
Filmmaker He addresses important issues on the big screen and through his philanthropy.
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
185Michael Tilson Thomas 
San Francisco Symphony  A maverick maestro is winning big crowds of new classical 
music fans.
U.S. Junior Officers 
Military They are rising in the military ranks with a hard-earned wisdom forged by war.
 
A New Leadership Style For America  
Joseph S. Nye Jr.: It's time to retire the "big man," heroic warrior model of leadership.
Lance Armstrong: Beatrice De Gea/ The New York Times/Redux; David Baltimore: 
Manjunath Kiran/EPA/Corbis; Regina Benjamin: Charlie Archambault for USN≀ 
Jeff Bezos: Brian Smale/Redux; Terence Blanchard: David Butow/Redux for USN≀ 
Benjamin Carson: Gurinder Osan/AP; Manny Diaz: Paul Sancya/AP; Marian Wright 
Edelman: Jeffrey MacMillan for USN≀ Anthony Fauci: Charlie Archambault for 
USN≀ Mike Feinberg: Kevin Horan/Aurora for USN≀ Robert Gates: Jeffrey 
MacMillan for USN≀ Herbie Hancock: David Butow/Redux for USN≀ Fiona 
Harrison: David Butow--Redux for USN≀ Freeman Hrabowski: Jeffrey MacMillan 
for USN≀ Indra Nooyi: Neville Elder/Corbis; Dave Levin: Jim Lo Scalzo for 
USN≀ Amory Lovins: Ben Stechschulte/Redux; Anne Mulcahy: Ben Baker/Redux; 
Linda Rottenberg: Peter Dejong/AP; Jeffrey Sachs: Chip East/Reuters; Steven Spielberg: 
Steven Henry/Getty Images; Michael Tilson Thomas: Chris Gordon/Getty Images; U.S. 
junior officers serving in war zones: Joe Raedle/Getty Images; Maria Zuber: Bill 
Ingalls/NASA
Nov. 21, 2008 – Went to dinner party at Ellen and Gerry Sigal’s home.  Present were 
Chris Grady, Ellen, Gerry, Richard and Donna Benveniste, Bill and Melody Wilson, 
Larry and Carla Silverstein, Neera Tanden and husband Dan.  Neera is on the Obama 
transition team and I am sure that Ellen in her quest to get me to become NIH Director set 
this up for us to meet.  I am very reluctant to take the job and soon I will likely have to 
tell the Obama people “no” if they ask. 
Prior to the Sigal dinner party I gave remarks at the opening reception for the TAG 
Workshop on Eliminating Viral Persistence and Eradicating HIV infection.  This is 
becoming a very hot issue that I have been pushing in the sense of a “functional” cure.
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
186Nov. 22, 2008 – Was invited by former President George H.W. Bush to attend the 
christening of the new aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush at Norfolk , VA on Jan. 
10, 2009.  
Nov.24, 2008 – Breakfast and panel discussion at the National Press Club in association 
with my (and others) receiving the recognition of America’s Best Leaders 2008 (24 
Leaders Who are Making a Difference) by U.S. News & World Report and the Center for 
Public Leadership of the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.  
David Gergon MC’d the affair and C-SPAN-2 covered it.  We also all appeared in the 
Dec. 1-8, 2008 issue of U.S. News & World Report.  Other winners who were present 
were: David Baltimore, Regina Benjamin, Benjamin Carson, Manuel Diaz (Mayor of 
Miami), Marian Wright Edelman, Fiona Anne Harrison, Freeman A. Hrabowski (Pres. U 
of MD, Baltimore County, Dave Levin (Founder of KIPP Foundation, Linda Rottenberg 
(CEO, Endeavor), Mike Feinberg (C0-founder of KIPP), Maria Zuber (MIT).  Awardees 
who were not there: Lance Armstrong, Jeffrey Bezos (CEO, Amazon.com), Terence 
Blanchard and Herbie Hancock (Thelonius Monk Institute of Jazz), Robert Gates 
(Secretary of DoD), Amory Lovins, Anne Mulcahy (CEO Xerox), Indra Nooyi (CEO, 
PepsiCo.) Junior Officers DoD, Jeffrey Sachs, Steven Spielberg, Michael Tilson Thomas 
Music Director, SF Symphony.
     David Gergon asked each of us what we would recommend to President-Elect Obama 
as an area that he should pay attention to.  I stressed the need for support of biomedical 
research and also the importance and moral obligation that we have towards promoting 
Global Health and its potential for “Health Diplomacy”.
Nov. 25, 2008 – Received a call from Aaron Pickrell who is running the Obama 
transition team for HHS and sub-agencies.  He said that my name is actively being 
discussed for NIH director and he wanted to know if I was interested.  I was frank and 
honest with him saying that I wanted to remain as NIAID Director, but I want to be part 
of the Obama team and perhaps we could work out something informal (without title) or 
more formal (?Special Assistant or Special Advisor to the POTUS) for issues on Global 
AIDS, Emerging infections, and Biodefense.  He said that he would run this up the ladder 
and see how people react.  My real desire is to stay where I am but to be called upon as I 
have been for 20+ years on issues mentioned above.  I do not want to give up my solid 
base of scientific credibility.  I hear that Francis Collins is aggressively campaigning for 
the job of NIH Director – not surprising.
Nov. 29, 2008 – Had brunch with small group of people at Richard and Donna Ben-
Veniste’s house.  He is a great guy with whom Chris and I have developed a nice 
friendship.  He asked about the NIH Director job and suggested without my implying that 
I should tell the Obama people that I want to do both NIAID Director and NIH Director.  
This is what I agreed upon with Tommy Thompson 6 years ago, but the WH (Clay 
Johnson) blocked it and said that I could take one or the other.  I picked NIAID Director.  
I actually do not think that doing both jobs would work, mainly because people would 
jump on the “appearance” of conflict every time that I made a decision that they did not 
like or if their grant did not get funded, and on and on.  Also at the brunch was Carl 
Released by Chairman Rand Paul
187Feldbaum, the IG of the DoD during the Carter Administration and his son Harley who is 
at Hopkins School of Public Health and is very interested in “Health Diplomacy”.  He has 
been an admirer of mine for years as a student.  I hope to help him and perhaps advise 
him on career choices.
Nov. 30, 2008 – Sunday AM (pouring rain).  I had backed out of the Redskins- NY 
Giants game with Gene Elrod because my daughters were home for Thanksgiving 
weekend. Got a call from Jay Lefkowitz who is writing a brief history of PEPFAR for a 
trade journal (forgot which one).  He wanted to do a historical fact check with me about 
the timing of meetings that we had with Josh Bolton, Gary Edson, Kristen Silverberg in 
the WH.  His version of events was strikingly close to my historical memory.  During the 
conversation he asked about the NIH Director job and we reminisced about the Bush 
years.  Interesting fact that he dropped.  He related that he was having a conversation 
with Bush during the time of the