Would you appoint an IT czar? To do what?
Presidential candidates Al Gore and George W. Bush answer Federal Computer Week's questions about federal IT policy.
AL GORE
As president, Al Gore would work with entrepreneurs to determine what policies would further strengthen the United States' position as the
best place in the world to start and grow a high-tech business — such as
an emphasis on entrepreneurial education, policies that promote the development
of information technology, expanded access to capital markets and increased
investment in new technology. He would not appoint an IT czar but would
give a senior White House economic official the responsibility of promoting
this entrepreneurial agenda within the administration.
GEORGE W. BUSH
If elected president, George W. Bush would issue an executive
order designating a federal chief information officer at the Office of Management
and Budget. The federal CIO would be responsible for providing the leadership
and coordination needed to realize the vision of a truly digital and citizen-centric
government. The CIO would head agency cross-functional councils on information
technology, facilitate collaboration with state CIOs, and lead development
of standards, protocols and privacy protections, among other things.
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