We asked 18 statesmen and—women spanning the political spectrum to the President-elect their best advice on the most pressing issues we face. Their answers offer wisdom and counsel to us all. Read the advice
911 Calls Gone Tragically Wrong Wrong addresses, dismissive dispatchers, and crossed signals. Our police response system is in crisis, and the cost can be measured in lives.
1More Memos to President Obama As Mr. Obama takes office, we asked leaders to offer him their best advice. Their responses can inspire us all to renew America's dream.
2Remind Us What It Takes to Be Great Anne-Marie Slaughter is dean of the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University, and author of the book The Idea that is America: Keeping Faith with Our Values in a Dangerous World. Here is her advice for President-Elect Obama.
3Honor an American Hero Bernard-Henri Lévy is a French philosopher and writer. His most recent book is Left in Dark Times: A Stand Against The New Barbarism. Here is his advice for President-Elect Obama.
4Act Justly and Walk Humbly The Reverend Billy Graham has advised every president since Harry Truman. Here is his advice for President-Elect Obama.
5Talk but Also Listen David M. Abshire is a Korean War veteran who served as a White House aide and ambassador to NATO. He is president of the Center for the Study of the Presidency. Here is his advice for President-Elect Obama.
6Learn from the Past Fred I. Greenstein is a professor of politics emeritus at Princeton University and the author of numerous books about the presidency, including The Hidden-Hand Presidency: Eisenhower as Leader. Here is his advice for President-Elect Obama.
7Quit This War Georgianna Carter-Krell is national president of American Gold Star Mothers. Her son, Marine Corps infantryman Bruce Wayne Carter, was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor after a 1969 battle in Vietnam claimed his life. The Miami VA hospital was recently named after Bruce Carter. Here is her advice for President-Elect Obama.
8Insist on an Open Government Grover G. Norquist is president of Americans for Tax Reform. Here is his advice for President-Elect Obama.
9Michelle Obama See photos of Michelle Obama on the campaign trail, giving back to her community, with her family and at the Democratic National Convention.