Walk With Me, Talk With Me: David Walker’s Comeback America Venture, Plus: Foley Joins Finch In Night Walk

Bridgeport resident David Walker is on a mission–to some a mission impossible–to deliver national fiscal reform. The former Comptroller General of the United States is the leading national voice to impose sanity upon the federal budget–making process and by example for state and local budgets as well.

Walker for nine years headed the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) under Presidents Clinton and George Walker Bush, and managed to transcend the partisan nightmare that is Washington. He was the guy, long before the national economic collapse hit home, who predicted we are going to hit the rocks, a storm warning that was wise enough for a 60 Minutes feature.

Walker will highlight his mission in a new venture “Comeback America” modeled after themes in his book in an effort to hammer home solutions to the fiscal madness. And Bridgeport, according to the mission statement of his new challenge, could play a role in his illustrated reform initiative.

If I’m Mayor Bill Finch and Economic Development Director Don Eversley I’d be all over this to persuade Walker to house his new venture in Bridgeport. Can you imagine a national think tank in downtown Bridgeport? Walker has national media credibility and a Bridgeport presence would feature the city in the national discussion about Walker’s reform measures.

Walker shared with OIB that he hasn’t made a final decision, but is considering Bridgeport as a location for his venture. Walker purchased a house in Black Rock previously owned by former Congressman Christopher Shays who now makes his primary residence in Maryland but also owns a condo in Black Rock. See the mission statement of Walker’s Comeback America Initiative followed by news release:

Mission:

To promote fiscal responsibility and sustainability by engaging the public and assisting key policymakers on a non-partisan basis in order to achieve solutions to America’s fiscal imbalances.

Areas of Focus:

This non-profit organization will foster a national discussion around the themes in the book “Comeback America,” with an emphasis on various specific policy, operational and political reforms to put government on a more prudent, sustainable and accountable fiscal path. The organization’s primary focus will be federal fiscal issues; however, it will also highlight the larger national fiscal challenge (federal, state and local) and may engage in selected state (e.g., Connecticut) and local (e.g., Bridgeport) reform initiatives.

Major Activities:

CAI will engage in various online, on-air, publication and other communication activities, participate in various town hall forums and other public events regarding fiscal matters, and assist key policymakers in their efforts to examine and build support for specific policy reforms to help ensure greater fiscal sustainability.

All activities will be non-partisan in nature and will be designed to make government more future focused, results oriented, successful, efficient, equitable and sustainable. This includes steps designed to transform government to increase transparency and accountability in connection with key areas of ineffectiveness, inequity and fiscal irresponsibility.

News Release:

PETER G. PETERSON FOUNDATION CEO DAVID M. WALKER TO LEAVE TO LAUNCH NEW “COMEBACK AMERICA” FISCAL INITIATIVE

Peter G. Peterson Foundation to Support New Fiscal Organization

New York, N.Y. September 17, 2010 — The Peter G. Peterson Foundation (PGPF) announced today that President and Chief Executive Officer, David M. Walker, will be leaving the Foundation to launch a new initiative focused on promoting and achieving specific fiscal solutions. The new organization will be entitled the Comeback America Initiative (CAI). Walker will serve as the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of CAI, which has received a three-year grant from the Foundation and will engage the public and promote fiscal solutions, including those outlined in Walker’s book, Comeback America: Turning the Country Around and Restoring Fiscal Responsibility.

“Dave Walker has been a Paul Revere on the unsustainable fiscal outlook for our country. He has done a first rate job of getting our Foundation off to a fast start and raising awareness of the critical need for fiscal responsibility. We look forward to continuing to partner with Dave as he begins this important new initiative,” said Peter G. Peterson, Chairman of the Foundation.

Walker said, “It has been a privilege to work directly with Pete Peterson, and I highly value my relationship and experience with my colleagues at the Peter G. Peterson Foundation. With a report from the President’s commission to be released in December, the next three years represent a critical time for our country’s fiscal future and I am excited to be able to devote more time and energy into engaging the public regarding my potential specific and action-oriented solutions to our nation’s fiscal challenges. I look forward to launching the Comeback America Initiative as a means to engage Americans and assist key policymakers in making government more future-focused, results-oriented, responsive, efficient, equitable and sustainable. I am very grateful to the Peter G. Peterson Foundation for offering the support and resources that will help make the Comeback America Initiative a reality.”

Walker will remain in his current position through October 15 and will work with the Foundation in an advisory capacity until the end of 2010. He will also continue to serve as a member of the Foundation’s Advisory Board. Pete Peterson will serve as acting CEO of the Foundation in addition to his role as Chairman.

Prior to his work with the Foundation, Walker served as Comptroller General of the United States for more than nine years, during which he headed the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO).

Speaking Of Walking …