LAI New Exclusives: The Founders of Politico: Jim VandeHei and John Harris

With the launch of The Politico and Politico.com, John Harris and Jim VandeHei redefined political journalism for the New Media. With an up-to-the-minute vantage point of the Capitol, these two journalists provide insight and analysis of the people and politics affecting today's debate from health care and the economy to foreign policy and the election. Harris and VandeHei share their front-line knowledge to provide a nonpartisan snapshot of each candidate's plans once they are in office.

After meeting at the Washington Post and brainstorming what they would do if they could create their own media outlet, Harris and VandeHei put their ideas into action and formed Politico. In less than two years, Politico.com has risen to become the tenth most-visited news site. Success stories like the one at Politico show the power of ideas, entrepreneurship, and information. John Harris and Jim VandeHei have harnessed the power of these three principles to push Politico to the top.

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2008 Election: See the humor in it!

Add some satire to substance this political season with a humorous look at the elections. Cross party lines and delight your entire audience. Book these political speakers to add a good laugh to your next event and an unexpected take on the 2008 presidential election.

Steve Bridges

Steve Bridges is a master impressionist who has developed an amazingly accurate characterization of George W. Bush. The uncanny result already has been featured on a variety of national stages including The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Judy Woodruff's Inside Politics, The Early Show, Good Morning America, and Hannity and Colmes. His repertoire now encompasses a wide range of personalities, from broadcasters Tom Brokaw, Paul Harvey, and Rush Limbaugh to past presidents and vice presidents such as Bill Clinton and Al Gore.

Al Franken

Al Franken is an Emmy Award-winning television writer and producer, New York Times bestselling author, Grammy-winning comedian, and now host of The Al Franken Show. In 1975, Franken was part of the original writing staff that created Saturday Night Live. In 1992, he anchored Comedy Central's Indecision '92, winning wide critical acclaim for his coverage of both conventions and election night. In 1996, he teamed with Arianna Huffington, again covering the party conventions and election night for Politically Incorrect. He is the author of numberous books including, Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot and Other Observations, Why Not Me: The Making and Unmaking of the Franken Presidency, Oh, the Things I Know!: A Guide to Success, or Failing That, Happiness, and Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them: A Fair and Balanced Look at the Right.

Dana Milbank

Dana Milbank is a Washington Post staff writer and author of the thrice-weekly "Washington Sketch" column. His national bestseller, Homo Politicus: The Strange and Scary Tribes that Run Our Government, likens the political field to a wilderness, with politicians roaming the terrain like aggressive hunter-gatherers. He brings the integrity of a seasoned journalist and the cleverness reminiscent of the great satirists to every speech and lecture. Given the oft-absurd goings on across the political field, his research is painstaking and tested; the comedy writes itself.

Ben Stein

Ben Stein has had what may well be the most diverse career of anyone now on the national scene. He has been an award winning actor, economist, writer, journalist, and teacher, and is equally well known in America's board rooms and in America's dormitories and fraternity houses. He has served as a poverty lawyer, a trial lawyer in the field of advertising, and a teacher about the political content of film and TV at American University, UC-Santa Cruz, and Pepperdine. He was also a speech writer and lawyer for Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford. He is currently a columnist for The New York Times, a regular commentator on CBS Sunday Morning, a commentator for Yahoo!Finance, a commentator for Fox News, and a frequent contributor to CNBC.

The Capitol Steps

The Capitol Steps, the only group in Washington that attempts to be funnier than Congress, is a troupe of former Congressional staffers who travel the country satirizing the very people and places that once employed them. The group was formed in 1981, when three staffers for Senator Charles Percy were asked to provide entertainment for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Christmas party. They decided that if entertainers could become politicians, then politicians could become entertainers. The Steps have been featured on three national specials for public television; Good Morning, America; Entertainment Tonight; Nightline; the Today show; 20/20; CBS Morning News; ABC's World News Tonight; NBC Nightly News; and dozens of times on National Public Radio's All Things Considered.

Dave Werner

Like many of his classmates, Dave Werner took his Yale Law degree to a Washington, DC firm, to launch his career. That path quickly changed the moment he was dubbed the "Funniest Lawyer in Washington" at a DC comedy club. Werner offers a humorous take on today's headlines mixed with musical impressions of George W. Bush, Al Gore, Bill Clinton and other political figures. Each show also includes special material based on pre-event interviews with the client to ensure the show has broad appeal to attendees and guests. Werner has appeared on the CBS's Evening News with Dan Rather, NBC's Today, and on PBS.

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Focus On China

The whole world is watching China as it hosts the 2008 Summer Olympics. Learn from Leading Authorities' China experts about this rising superpower and how it will effect your industry and the global economy.

Nick Burns

Ambassador R. Nicholas Burns is one of America's top foreign policy experts and practitioners. Over the course of his 27-year career in the state department, he played a key leadership role in U.S. foreign policy toward the Middle East, Europe, and South Asia. He was the nation's top career diplomat as undersecretary from 2005-08. And he is viewed as one of the country's most articulate spokespeople on globalization and U.S. foreign policy. Ambassador Burns sees America's future role in the world dependent on how we cope with the rise of a democratic and increasingly influential India and a powerful China. He views this as among the most critical challenges Americans will face in the next half-century. He explains why this is a unique opportunity with real promise for the global balance of power.

Michael Colopy

The emergence of China and America's role in the world today comprise the special focus of Michael Colopy, a nationally acclaimed speaker on foreign affairs. Colopy began his career as an aide in the U.S. House and Senate interpreting complex international issues for members of Congress in ways they could explain to their constituents. His singular effectiveness in foreign policy presentations to the U.S. business community has put him at the top of his profession.

Rebecca Fannin

International business journalist Rebecca Fannin is the author of the highly acclaimed book, Silicon Dragon How China is Winning the Tech Race. Fannin has 16 years experience covering global trends in business, innovation and entrepreneurship. She got her initiation to China in 1992 as editor-in-chief of the Pulitzer-owned International Business, joined Red Herring as international news editor in 2000, and in 2003, became international editor of Incisive Media's, Asian Venture Capital Journal, based in Hong Kong. Her recent work has appeared in Inc., Fast Company, and Worth. She also has been a contributor to The Deal and Chief Executive, and a freelance writer for Wired, Asia, Inc., and Time Inc.'s AsiaWeek.


Ted Fishman

Ted C. Fishman is a veteran journalist and former commodities trader who has emerged as a leading expert on the People's Republic of China and its development as a world power. In his writing, Fishman is noted for taking seemingly complex topics - particularly how global economic trends influence people's everyday experiences - and making them understandable and meaningful for a general audience. He has been featured on ABC, CNN, Fox, the BBC, CNBC, PBS, NPR, Public Radio International, and Sky News (UK), among many others.

Jeremy Haft

A successful entrepreneur and award-winning marketer, Jeremy Haft has founded leading companies in the manufacturing, technology and marketing industries and is the author of All the Tea in China: How to Buy, Sell, and Make Money on the Mainland. Taking on popular misconceptions about China's might in the global economy, All the Tea in China demonstrates how American industry and labor actually have the competitive edge over the Chinese - and why that spells a once-in-a-century windfall opportunity to create jobs, build value, and make money.

Andrea Koppel

Andrea Koppel joined CNN in 1993 as the network's Tokyo correspondent and was quickly promoted in 1995 to become CNN's Beijing Bureau Chief. As a mandarin-Chinese speaking journalist Koppel was equipped to integrate within, and provide rare insight into, this complex country and its culture. Over several years she reported from Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, and more than half of China's provinces and autonomous regions. She covered a wide variety of economic, social, and political stories including the demise of the country's cradle to grave social safety net.

Peter Navarro

Peter Navarro is a business professor at the University of California-Irvine, a regular CNBC contributor, and author of the bestselling book, The Coming China Wars. His unique and internationally recognized expertise lies in his "big picture" application of a highly sophisticated but easily accessible macroeconomic analysis of the business environment and financial markets for investors and corporate executives.

Bill Shireman

Bill Shireman builds bridges between corporations and their activist stakeholders to advance sustainable global well-being and prosperity. Activist groups like Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Dream for Darfur, Greenpeace, Reporters Without Borders, and Ruckus Society are grappling with how to harness the 2008 Olympics to call attention to child labor, food safety, global warming, chemical spills, sweatshops, curbs on free expression, and China's alleged role in Darfur genocide. In an interactive presentation, Bill Shireman will discuss what companies, activists, and interested citizens can expect as a result of 2008 games.

Paul Wolfowitz

Culminating an extraordinary career as a statesman and world ambassador, Paul Wolfowitz served as the 10th president of the World Bank Group from June 1, 2005 to June 30, 2007. Prior to that appointment, Ambassador Wolfowitz spent more than three decades as a public servant and educator, including 24 years in government service under seven U.S. presidents. His experience in the developing world includes three years in Indonesia as U.S. Ambassador, and his Washington-based policy work on East Asian affairs. Currently a visiting scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, Wolfowitz speaks with great depth about his accomplishments during key periods of U.S. relations with China, Japan, Korea, the Philippines, and Indonesia, the country with the world's largest Muslim population.

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Leading Authorities' Olympic Team

The 2008 Summer Olympics start this Friday but you don't have to go to Beijing to meet great athletes. Book these superstars for your organization's next event and learn how to apply their persistence, dedication, and endurance to your business.

Ben Nighthorse Campbell

Ben Nighthorse Campbell was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Colorado in 1987 and subsequently served in the U.S. Senate from 1992-2004. He is one of a handful of American Indians who has served in the U. S. Senate, and is one of the 44 Chiefs of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe. In 1964, he was captain of the U.S. Olympic judo team and placed fourth at the Tokyo Olympics.

Janet Evans

In 1987, when she was 15 years old, Evans broke the world record in both the 400, 800m, and the 1,500m freestyle. At the 1988 Seoul Olympics, Evans won her first gold medal in the 400m individual medley. Three days later, she won the 400m freestyle by more than two seconds and broke her own world record by 1.6 seconds. She added a third Olympic victory in the 800m freestyle. At the 1992 Barcelona Olympics Evans easily defended her title in the 800m by leading from start to finish, winning by eight meters; she also won the silver in the 400m. Considered the greatest female distance swimmer of all time, her world records for the 400, the 800, and the 1500 set in 1988 and 1989 have yet to be broken.

Rulon Gardner

When Rulon Gardner won the Olympic gold medal for wrestling in Sydney, his victory rocked the world. It was more than just a simple tale of success - it was the story of an underdog who rose to unimagined heights of accomplishment and glory. An athlete with a history of notable but obscure success, Rulon became a household name - and the pride of a nation - when he took Olympic gold from the hands of Alexander Karelin, an athlete who had been undefeated since 1985.

Mia Hamm

Recognized as the world's best all-around soccer player, Mia Hamm is to soccer what Michael Jordan is to basketball. A true team player, Mia Hamm fought through injury to take home an Olympic Gold Medal in 1996. In addition to capturing countless awards for her athletic prowess, including the unforgettable victory at the 1999 Women's World Cup, Mia Hamm's greatest accomplishment is her ability to inspire millions of people around the world. Mia Hamm devotes much of her time to charitable causes and the promotion of women's sports.

Oscar De La Hoya

In the 1992 Olympic games in Barcelona, a competitor known by few outside of the boxing community transcended the sport and became a "Golden Boy." Since his march through the Olympics that culminated with the coveted Gold Medal hanging proudly around his neck, Oscar de la Hoya has become one of the most recognizable, respectable, and talented figures in the boxing universe.

Bruce Jenner

Bruce captivated the world when he broke the world record by scoring 8,634 points in the decathlon at the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal and earned the title of "World's Greatest Athlete." Currently, Bruce is a highly respected and much sought-after motivational speaker, especially within the corporate sector. His message of "Finding the Champion Within" is relevant to everyone, from high school students to corporate vice presidents.

Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Three-time Olympic Gold Medalist Jackie Joyner-Kersee has built one of the most illustrious athletic careers in the world of track and field. Her performance in the heptathlon and long jump in the 1984, 1988, and 1992 Summer Olympics, made her a legend. But her talents are by no means limited to athletic ability. Jackie Joyner-Kersee has set more than 18 athletic records, received more than 24 recognition awards, is a successful businesswoman, respected community leader, and a dynamic motivational speaker who inspires audiences to go after their dreams with passion and commitment.

John Naber

At the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal, John Naber captured four Gold Medals, one Silver Medal and broke four World Records. His World Records in the 100 and 200-meter backstroke lasted an amazing seven years after his retirement. One of today's top motivational speakers, Olympic Gold Medallist John Naber is also one of America's leading television analysts, commentators, and hosts, providing viewers with unique and entertaining perspectives on the "behind-the-scenes" stories of today's most exciting athletes.


Peter Vidmar

Peter Vidmar is the highest scoring American gymnast in Olympic history. The winner of numerous national and international titles, Peter finished his successful career at the 1984 Olympic games. As the USA men's gymnastics team captain, he led his teammates to America's first team gold medal with their upset victory over the defending world champions, the People's Republic of China. He went on to win the silver medal in the individual all-around competition and with a perfect score of 10 he captured the gold medal on the pommel horse. Peter is now a powerful and entertaining speaker at corporate meetings and trade shows. He demonstrates the three components of a perfect score in gymnastics - Risk, Originality and Virtuosity (ROV) - and discusses how they apply to success in business and in life.

Learn more about how you can create a gold-medal event by working with Leading Authorities' award-winning production team. For more information about event design, event production, and speakers call me (202) 721-7675.

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International Insight, Intelligence, and Experts

Covering topics ranging from emerging markets and globalization to foreign policy and international security, Leading Authorities' global community includes world leaders, diplomats, seasoned journalists, and military and security specialists. Find the right fit for you next event.

Global Economy:

Technological innovation has fueled a growing global economy where business transcends borders. LAI experts discuss the economic trends, the partnerships and alliances necessary to succeed, and the political significance of growing the economy for today's businesses.

• Robert Portman, Former Congressman, OMB Director, and U.S. Trade Representative
• John Breaux, Former Senator and Co-chair of the Oil and Gas Caucus
• Thomas Donohue, President and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
• Jeffrey Garten, Professor, Yale School of Management and Expert on Global Business Strategy
• Jeffrey Rosensweig, Global Economics Forecaster and Expert on International Investing and Business Strategy
• George Mitchell, Former Senate Majority Leader and Chairman of the Board of the Walt Disney Company
• Michael Porter, Authority of Competitve Strategy and International Competition
• Erik Peterson, Senior Vice President of CSIS and Director of the Seven Revolutions Initiative

Energy:

As the cost of energy continues to rise, and the ramifications become apparent on the world economy -- as well as on the environment -- Leading Authorities' roster of energy experts focus on how myriad industries are innovating, maximizing, and finding alternative sources of energy now and for the future.

• Dan Christman, Senior Vice President of International Affairs, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
• John Breaux, Former Senator and Co-chair of the Oil and Gas Caucus
• Nick Burns, Former Undersecretary of State
• James Jones, Former Supreme Allied Commander, Europe
• Daniel Yergin, Authority on International Politics, Economics, and Energy
• Jeffrey Garten, Professor, Yale School of Management and Expert on Global Business Strategy
• Erik Peterson, Senior Vice President of CSIS and Director of the Seven Revolutions Initiative

Foreign Policy:

How America interacts with other countries across the globe relates directly to economic, political, social, and military ideas. Discover how these ideas will affect the economic prosperity, ideological goals, and national interests of America and other nations by booking one of LAI's seasoned authorities.

• Shashi Tharoor, Former United Nations Under-Secretary General
• Nick Burns, Former Undersecretary of State
• James Jones, Former Supreme Allied Commander, Europe
• Bob Dole, Former Senate Majority Leader and Presidential Candidate
• David Ignatius, Washington Post Columnist and Legendary Novelist
• Porter Goss, Former Director of the Central Intelligence Agency
• Tom Ridge, Former Governor of Pennsylvania and First Secretary of Homeland Security
• Paul Wolfowitz, Former Undersecretary of Defense for Policy, Department of Defense
• Anthony Zinni, Former Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Central Command
• George Mitchell, Former Senate Majority Leader and Chairman if the Board of the Walt Disney Company

Globalization:

As the world becomes flatter, individuals, communities, businesses, governments, and economies are developing complex connections across the globe. Hear from experts whose experience provides a clear window into understanding what the emergence of global societies means for economic, political, environmental, and cultural events.

• Dan Christman, Senior Vice President of International Affairs, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
• Shashi Tharoor, Former United Nations Under-Secretary General
• Nick Burns, Former Undersecretary of State
• Thomas Donohue, President and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
• David Ignatius, Washington Post Columnist and Legendary Novelist
• Tom Ridge, Former Governor of Pennsylvania and First Secretary of Homeland Security
• Anthony Zinni, Former Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Central Command
• Michael Porter, Authority of Competitve Strategy and International Competition

Emerging Markets:

China, India, and Brazil are countries whose politics factor as significantly as their economics to the global marketplace. Look to some of Leading Authorities' specialists on these emerging power players to provide the latest trends and the deepest insights into the impact each will have on the world economy.

• Liz Cheney, Former Principle Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs
• Dan Christman, Senior Vice President of International Affairs, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
• Raghida Dergham, Senior Diplomatic Correspondent for Al-Hayat and Analyst for NBC and MSNBC
• Shashi Tharoor, Former United Nations Under-Secretary General
• Nick Burns, Former Undersecretary of State
• Porter Goss, Former Director of the Central Intelligence Agency
• Paul Wolfowitz, Former Undersecretary of Defense for Policy, Department of Defense
• Erik Peterson, Senior Vice President of CSIS and Director of the Seven Revolutions Initiative

International Business Trends:

The blending of people and ideas to encourage growth stimulates and encourages every nation's entrepreneurial activity. Find out from a Leading Authorities expert how such innovation and education leads to technological change and investments, and to policy making for the nation in progress, and its global partners.

• Thomas Donohue, President and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
• Jeffrey Garten, Professor, Yale School of Management and Expert on Global Business Strategy
• Jeffrey Rosensweig, Global Economics Forecaster and Expert on International Investing and Business Strategy
• Michael Porter, Authority of Competitve Strategy and International Competition
• Erik Peterson, Senior Vice President of CSIS and Director of the Seven Revolutions Initiative

For information on these speakers and others, please visit our Web site or drop me a call! (202) 721-7675

American Heroes

Whether their achievements were for our country, our citizens, or for science, these Amereican legends have made tremendous contributions. Not settling for the status quo is a common thread among them all. Their stories are ones of inspiration and hope for the best in humankind. Celebrate America's independence and learn from these noble heroes at your next event.

Leroy Chiao, Astronaut

Leroy Chiao distinguished himself at NASA, flying on four space missions and by gaining an extraordinary breadth of experience, even among his peers. In his presentations, Chiao explains how being a dreamer led him to becoming a doer. He references his life story when discussing leadership, motivation, teamwork, and diversity. He shares his views on the importance of a global view of the world using his extensive international experience.

Bob Dole, Former Senate Majority Leader and Presidential Candidate

Recognized as one of the most prominent political figures of our time with a distinguished record of service, Bob Dole continues to make a difference in the lives of the American people. Deftly weaving humor with issues of global importance, he ushers audiences into a new understanding of the nation's weightiest issues. Senator Dole's effectiveness as a consensus-builder and his commitment to deficit reduction and economic growth have earned him the admiration of Republicans, Independents, and Democrats alike. As a speaker, Dole energizes audiences with his stories and observations from a lifetime of experiences at the front lines of American politics.

Michael Durant, Inspiration for Black Hawk Down

On October 3, 1993, while piloting an MH60 Blackhawk in Mogadishu, Somalia, his craft was blasted off course by an enemy grenade, and sent hurtling out of the sky. With his leg broken and his rescuers shot down, Durant was taken captive by hostile forces for 11 excruciating days before his release. His story is the inspiration behind the best-selling book and Academy Award-winning film Black Hawk Down. His lectures are moving and heart-racing accounts of life in the line of fire and speaks volumes about the significance in fighting to create a better world community.

Porter Goss, Former Director of the Central Intelligence Agency

Porter Goss became director of the Central Intelligence Agency on April 21, 2005, and served in that position until May 26, 2006. Before that, he served as the 19th Director of Central Intelligence (DCI) from September of 2004 through April of 2005. Goss speaks about the importance of a clandestine intelligence agency on a global stage, the impact the CIA has had on the American way of life, and the role of ethics in both national and foreign policy. Before his tenure working in Central Intelligence, Goss served as the congressman from Southwest Florida for almost 16 years. Goss' congressional career focused on the environment, House ethics, senior issues, and the Rules Committee.

Eric Greitens, Navy SEAL, White House Fellow, and Founder, The Center for Citizen Leadership

Selected as a Rhodes and Truman Scholar, his research was driven by his humanitarian work in war zones. His thesis, Children First, investigated the ways in which international humanitarian organizations can best serve war-affected children. Greitens is also a United States Navy SEAL officer, and he has deployed four times to Iraq, Afghanistan, the Horn of Africa, and Southeast Asia. In 2005-2006, he was appointed by the president to serve as a White House Fellow; considered America's most prestigious fellowship for leadership and public service. Greitens used his combat pay from Iraq to start the Center for Citizen Leadership in an effort to provide fellowships to returning veterans and engage them in public service work in the United States.

Gerda Weissmann Klein, Author and Holocaust Survivor

For decades author, historian, and speaker Gerda Weissmann Klein has captivated audiences worldwide with her powerful message of hope, inspiration, love, and humanity. In her speeches and books, Klein draws from her wealth of life experiences: from surviving the Holocaust, meeting her future husband on the day of her liberation, to her journey to the United States, accepting an Oscar and Emmy for a documentary based on her life, and her constant fight to promote tolerance and combat hunger.

Tom Ridge, Former Governor of Pennsylvania and First Secretary of Homeland Security

When Tom Ridge was sworn in as the first Office of Homeland Security advisor in the history of the United States of America, he knew he was accepting a mantle of the utmost dependability. In the words of President George W. Bush, he demonstrated the strength, experience, personal commitment, and authority to accomplish the critical mission of keeping his country a safer place to live. Protecting the American public, as well as better understanding the threat of terrorism today, are among the many accomplishments this Vietnam veteran has made throughout his distinguished career. Ridge speaks from his wellspring of seasoned experience about international terrorism and its relationship with America and the world today and going forward, as well as the principles of a strong leader in times of need.


Erik Weihenmayer, Blind Adventurer

On May 25, 2001, Erik Weihenmayer became the only blind man in history to reach the summit of the world's highest peak - Mount Everest. And on September 5, 2002, when he stood on top of Mt. Kosciusko in Australia, Weihenmayer completed his 7-year quest to climb the Seven Summits - the highest mountains on each of the seven continents, joining only 100 mountaineers who have accomplished that feat. He speaks to audiences on harnessing the power of adversity, the importance of a "rope team," and the daily struggle to pursue your dreams. Clearly, Weihenmayer's accomplishments show that one does not have to have perfect eyesight to have extraordinary vision.

Charlie Wilson, Former Congressman and Subject of Charlie Wilson's War

Charles Wilson served as the Democratic United States Congressman from District Two in Texas from 1973 until 1997. He battled for the regulation of utilities, fought for Medicaid, tax exemptions for the elderly, the Equal Rights Amendment, and a minimum wage bill. Without Wilson, Communist Russia would have most likely crushed the Afghan resistance. Although most people are not aware of it, Wilson, with the help of many others, helped bring down the communist government by supplying millions of dollars to the Afghan Mujahideen to beat the Soviets in Afghanistan. With his maverick sensibility, Wilson offers energetic tales of Beltway and international intrigue. A political crusader, Wilson speaks with conviction about politics, Afghanistan, and the covert operations that helped bring down a communist government.

For more information about these speakers and others, drop me an email at saul@lauthorities.com or call me direct at (202) 721-7675. .