Culvahouse Emerges From O'Melveny Fray Sep 5, 2008
Culvahouse also served as White House counsel to President Ronald Reagan for two years in the late 1980s. The fact that five candidates were running for the O'Melveny chairmanship may have represented a response to perceived changes in the cultural, financial and geographic focus of the firm under Culvahouse, former partners said, noting also that those changes were likely inevitable. (Law.com)
* Gonzales mishandled classified data: report Sep 4, 2008
Gonzales, who was then White House counsel, called the meeting with the eight highest-ranking members of Congress after James Comey, then the deputy attorney general, refused to certify the legality of the agencys program. At the time, Attorney General John Ashcroft was in intensive care in the hospital after gallbladder surgery. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Palin Gets Chance To Fire Back With Speech | ... Sep 4, 2008
Former Bush White House Counsel Dan Bartlett says McCain is right to stick with her as his running mate. "While it is highly risky.. I think it was a smart move," Bartlett says. (W-USA News, DC)
Report: Former AG mishandled classified data Sep 3, 2008
Gonzales brought the notes home on Feb. 3, 2005, the day he moved from his post as White House counsel to his new job as the nation's chief law enforcement officer, according to the report ... The allegations surfaced last year, when lawyers in the White House Counsel's office reviewed Gonzales's Senate testimony about the wiretapping program after lawmakers questioned his veracity. (Boston Globe)
Aides: Palin interviewed late in process Sep 3, 2008
Palin was one of two finalists in the vice presidential sweepstakes who were interviewed last week by former White House counsel Arthur B. Culvahouse Jr., just days before McCain introduced her to the nation as his choice. The other finalist was Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty. (MSNBC -- Politics)
Analysis: Gonzales' best defense is memory lapse Sep 3, 2008
Don't have an account. (older than 14 days). (Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier)
Tyco Lobbyist Urges Senators to Support Tyco Lawyer Nomination Sep 3, 2008
Flanigan also responded to a series of questions about his role as a White House counsel in the review of policies for the handling of detainees and whether detainees could be subjected to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. He said he would not advise the attorney general or others that U.S. personnel are permitted to engage in cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. (Yahoo News -- Tyco)
Gonzales mishandled classified data, lawyers say Sep 2, 2008
When Gonzales, then White House counsel, moved to become the Justice Department's top official in early 2005, he failed to secure the notes in a sensitive compartmentalized facility, the inspector general has concluded. Gonzales kept the notes in a safe in his office and at times took them to and from work in a briefcase - practices that violated protocols for the handling of classified materials, according to people familiar with the report. (Boston Globe)
Gonzalez mishandled data Sep 2, 2008
He also may have taken the notes home at one point in 2005 as he was moving out of the White House counsel s office, where he served until he was sworn in as attorney general at the start of President Bush s second term, the memo says ... Gonzales took the notes of the meeting at President Bush s request, and kept them in a safe in his White House counsel s office, which is a secure SCI facility, according to his lawyers. (DeKalb Daily Chronicle, IL)
CongressNow: How Would McCain Fill His Cabinet? Here Are Some Names Sep 2, 2008
A.B. Culvahouse Jr., a former Reagan White House counsel, has been a top adviser to the McCain campaign and is another private-practice attorney who could fit the bill. So might Eugene Scalia, son of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia and a former Labor Department solicitor. (Roll Call)
Secrecy, surprise were goals of McCain's VP search Aug 30, 2008
He tapped a famed Washington attorney, Arthur B. Culvahouse Jr., a one-time White House counsel to President Reagan, to lead the search. He also limited those with direct knowledge of his deliberations to his wife, Cindy, and a handful of aides including campaign manager Rick Davis and senior advisers Mark Salter and Steve Schmidt. (Albany Times Union)
Bush steps up fight over congressional authority Aug 30, 2008
U.S. District Judge John Bates strongly rejected that stance last month, ordering former White House counsel Harriet Miers to testify and White House chief of staff Joshua Bolten to turn over documents related to the firing of federal prosecutors ... But House counsel Irv Nathan said negotiations have been "completely useless." ... White House counsel Harriet Miers. (Yahoo News -- Politics)
Decatur Book Fest Aug 29, 2008
Speeches and signings by 250 authors, including novelists Eric Jerome Dickey, Kathy Reichs and Louis Bayard; former White House counsel John Dean; and popular young adult author Sara Pretty Little Liars Shepard. Local favorites, including Karin Slaughter, Kathy Hogan Trocheck, Pearl Cleage, Douglas Blackmon, Emily Giffin, Hollis Gillespie and Marvin Arrington. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Barack Obama: A different kind of cool Aug 29, 2008
There was "no question that he was a liberal, as were most editors of the Review and most students at Harvard Law at that time," said Brad Berenson, an associate White House counsel under President George W. Bush and a conservative lawyer in Washington who was an editor during Mr. Obama's tenure at the journal. "But he wasn't the kind who demonized conservatives or personalized politics.". (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
U.S. Judge Refuses to Delay White House Subpoenas Aug 27, 2008
The House Judiciary Committee wants to force White House chief of staff Joshua Bolten and former White House counsel Harriet Miers to testify about the firing of federal prosecutors and the politicization of the Justice Department. The White House contends that top aides are immune from such subpoenas. (Fox News)
US judge: No delay in White House subpoenas case Aug 27, 2008
The House Judiciary Committee wants to force White House chief of staff Joshua Bolten and former White House counsel Harriet Miers to testify about the firing of federal prosecutors and the politicization of the Justice Department ... White House counsel Harriet Miers. (Yahoo News -- Politics)
Clintons remain a focus at convention Aug 26, 2008
"I can't imagine he will continue to bum-rap Barack Obama, which is what he's been doing up until now, unfortunately," says Abner Mikva, 82, a political mentor to Obama who also served as Clinton's White House counsel. Mikva predicts Bill Clinton is likely to deliver some speeches but will "probably be less of a factor" in this campaign than in recent ones. (USA Today)
Letter from Washington Aug 25, 2008
"He's at least as smart as Bill Clinton," said Abner Mikva, who was White House counsel during the Clinton administration and has known Obama for two decades. Mikva, while a U.S. Court of Appeals judge, offered Obama a clerkship, a sure path to a similar and highly coveted post at the Supreme Court. (International Herald Tribune)
YANK-FREE OCTOBER: What the world was like the last time Aug 16, 2008
26); Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms treats the Branch Davidian Compound in Waco, TX rather rudely (April 19); White House counsel Vincent Foster commits suicide (July 20); Yasser Arafat and Yitzhak Rabin sign peace accord (Sept. 13); Black Hawk Down incident in Mogadishu (Oct. (SportsIllustrated.CNN)
Hillary Clinton's name to be placed in nomination at convention Aug 15, 2008
Two prominent lawyers have been representing the Clintons' interests -- Robert B. Barnett and Cheryl Mills, a White House counsel in Bill Clinton's administration. Some aides to Hillary Clinton said she had been unsure about the wisdom of putting her name into nomination. (Los Angeles Times)
Forecasters boost hurricane estimate Aug 8, 2008
White House chief of staff Joshua Bolten and former White House counsel Harriet Miers petitioned US District Judge John Bates to place a hold on his ruling allowing White House aides to be subpoenaed by Congress. Bates did not immediately rule on the request. (Boston Globe)
Bolten, Miers Want Hold On Subpoenas Aug 8, 2008
Planning appeals, White House chief of staff Joshua Bolten and former White House counsel Harriet Miers asked a judge on Thursday to delay enforcement of his ruling that they must testify before Congress. U.S. District Judge John Bates did not immediately rule on their request to place a hold on his ruling allowing White House aides to be subpoenaed by Congress. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Politics)
Bolton, Miers Want Subpoena Delay Aug 8, 2008
White House chief of staff Joshua Bolten and former White House counsel Harriet Miers petitioned U.S. District Judge John Bates to place a hold on his ruling allowing White House aides to be subpoenaed by Congress. Bates on July 31 rejected White House arguments that presidential confidants are protected from congressional subpoenas by executive privilege, giving free rein to Democrats who have been trying to get President Bush's aides to testify on the dismissal of nine federal prosecutors. (Time.com)
Too much privilege Aug 6, 2008
In its investigation of the firings, the Judiciary Committee had subpoenaed former White House Counsel Harriet Miers to testify and had sought documents from White House Chief of Staff Joshua Bolton in an attempt to determine if indeed there was improper White House influence into the U.S. attorney dismissals. The White House asserted executive privilege, making the standard claim that the president needed to have unfettered communication with his aides, and rejected the congressional subpoenas. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Opinion)
Judge rejects Bush's 'absolute' immunity argument against subpoenas Aug 3, 2008
Bates' decision came in a lawsuit by the House leadership, which subpoenaed former White House Counsel Harriet E. Miers and Bush's chief of staff, Joshua B. Bolten. Democrats said Bates' 93-page ruling vindicated their dogged efforts to check potential abuses under Bush, and tentatively set hearings for September. (Los Angeles Times)
US attorneys' firings: the back story Aug 1, 2008
Congressional committees subpoenaed documents and administration officials, including former White House Counsel Harriet E. Miers and the White House chief of staff, Joshua B. Bolten. Both cited President Bush's assertion of executive privilege. (Los Angeles Times)
LETTERS: NCT, July 31, 2008 Aug 1, 2008
Unless overturned on appeal, a former White House counsel, Harriet Miers and the current White House chief of staff, Joshua Bolton, would be required to cooperate with the House Judiciary Committee, which has been investigating the controversial dismissal of the federal prosecutors in 2006. What is ironic, is that Judge Bates was appointed by George W. Bush. (North County Times)
Rove in Contempt of Congress? Aug 1, 2008
For months Conyers has demanded that Rove (and former White House counsel Harriett Miers, White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolton and others) testify under oath on a series of allegations regarding various alleged horrors. Conyers pursuit of Rove stems from an allegation that he instigated, plotted, planned and brought about the prosecution of former Alabama Gov. Don Seigelman. (Human Events Online)
Politics and lies at the U.S. Justice Dept. Jul 29, 2008
What role did White House officials, including Karl Rove and Harriet Miers, the former White House counsel, play. It strains credulity to believe that Goodling could act so brazenly unless she knew that she was doing what her bosses wanted. (International Herald Tribune -- Ed/Op)
Ex-Reagan Adviser: Bad News for Taxpayers Jul 29, 2008
The recent memorandum of understanding between the Fed and the SEC is "very bad news for U.S. taxpayers," according to Peter Wallison, a former White House counsel for President Reagan. "This will irretrievably compromise market discipline," he writes, "which in turn will produce the very risk-taking and subsequent losses that regulation as recently as the savings-and loan-debacle has never been able to prevent.". (Newsmax)
Memo: 'Good Faith' Protects Against Torture Charge Jul 25, 2008
The was issued the same day he wrote a memo for then-White House Counsel Alberto Gonzales defining torture as only those "extreme acts" that cause pain similar in intensity to that caused by death or organ failure. The Bybee legal opinion defining torture was withdrawn more than two years later. (Law.com)
Bilbray: Suspect's release 'a huge blunder' Jul 25, 2008
Fred Fielding, White House counsel, wrote Bilbray that the White House is leaving the case to the Justice Department to pursue but "we are watching this matter closely to ensure that justice is done.". Deputy Assistant Attorney General Keith Nelson said in a letter to Bilbray that Justice "personnel were in communication with Mexican officials about this matter very soon after the death of Agent Aguilar" but that the department was unable to offer more information. (USA Today)
Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac Jul 21, 2008
And Arthur B. Culvahouse Jr., a one-time White House counsel to President Reagan, is providing behind-the-scenes advice to McCain in the Republican's search for a running mate. Senate records show Culvahouse was registered to lobby on behalf of Fannie Mae and Lockheed Martin in a couple of instances several years ago, although his allies say his involvement was not extensive. (The Palm Beach Post)
Gore's surprise visit highlights Netroots conference Jul 20, 2008
Then there was John Dean, the former Nixon White House counsel who has made a second career of railing against what he considers right-wing excesses the way recovering alcoholics preach against strong drink. "I have deep fear of my former tribe, and what they might do particularly in the law," Dean said, before going on to refer to former Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani as "Richard Nixon on crystal meth.". (Austin American-Statesman)
Felons ask Bush for pardons, commutations Jul 19, 2008
Fred Fielding, the White House counsel, declined to be interviewed about clemency plans. Erik Ablin, a Justice Department spokesman, said the administration was committed to "giving each clemency petition received the careful review that is necessary to make an appropriate recommendation.". (Boston Globe)
LETTERS: The Californian, July 18, 2008 Jul 19, 2008
Mr. Rove had no intention of appearing before Congress, and he sent the panel the equivalent of a doctor's note ---- from White House counsel Fred Fielding ---- saying "Rove did not have to respond to the congressional subpoena." This is but one more example of the utter disrespect and contempt this administration has shown for the USA and its people since 2000. Does this mean that all other residents of the USA get a free pass for disregarding the laws of the nation too. (North County Times)
Bush library fundraising draws scrutiny Jul 16, 2008
"Payne said he has not talked to either Don Evans, the president s former Commerce secretary who is heading up the effort, or former White House counsel Dan Bartlett, who is also working on the project, for two years.Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, a nonpartisan watchdog group, has asked Attorney General Michael Mukasey to look into whether Payne violated federal laws that bar soliciting contributions in return for influencing government officials.Melanie Sloan, executive... (Fort Worth Star Telegram)
Will Troops Be Coming Home Sooner? Jul 14, 2008
"But he has no troops to send to Afghanistan. So it is logical in the military sequence that we are going to move troops out of Iraq, not immediately perhaps to Afghanistan, but at least to relieve the strain, which is intense right now upon our armed forces. However, in response to today's reports in The New York Times (that ) and the Washington Post (which reported that ), White House Counsel Ed Gillespie was noncommittal about the administration's plans. (CBS)It's always been the goal of... (CBS News)
Rove skips official hearing Jul 13, 2008
Two other officials - White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolten and former White House counsel Harriet Miers - have already been held in contempt by the committee for failure to testify. Republicans in the US House of Representatives have dismissed the committee's actions as a stunt, and have called on its members to accept an offer made by Mr Rove to speak to them informally in private. (BBC News -- Americas)
Rove ignores subpoena, refuses to testify Jul 13, 2008
The case, involving White House chief of staff Josh Bolten and former White House counsel Harriet Miers, is in federal court and may not be resolved before Bush's term ends in January. The White House has cited executive privilege, arguing that internal administration communications are confidential and that Congress cannot compel officials to testify. (MSNBC -- Politics)
Waxman Issues Contempt Threat Against Mukasey Jul 13, 2008
Mukasey already told House investigators earlier this year he will not prosecute contempt charges filed against White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolten and former White House Counsel Harriet Miers. They were cited in refusing to testify in a probe over politicization of Justice Department hiring. (Fox News -- Politics)
Book review: 'The Strong Man' and 'Habits of Empire' Jun 30, 2008
Far more culpable were Ehrlichman (whom Rosen clearly dislikes); Jeb Magruder, Mitchell's number two at the Committee to Re-elect the President, and in Rosen's persuasive portrayal a duplicitous weakling; and, above all, White House counsel John Dean, a onetime Mitchell protigi, whom Rosen considers the true mastermind of both break-in and coverup. But it remains true, as Rosen acknowledges, that Mitchell failed to reject outright G. Gordon Liddy's fantastical Gemstone plan to be directed... (International Herald Tribune -- Arts)
• Obama and McCain search for running mates Jun 30, 2008
(It's A.B. Culvahouse, chairman of the law firm O'Melveny and a White House counsel under President Reagan. But if most of those directly involved are keeping quiet, that doesn't stop political professionals from gossiping. (Q13.com, WA)
No respect for the law Jun 26, 2008
White House Counsel Bernard Nussbaum had removed the documents, reneging on his previous agreement to let Justice Department handle it. This prompted the then deputy attorney general, Philip Heymann, to resign, asking, Bernie, are you hiding something. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Click for Full Story Jun 26, 2008
On June 26, 1973, former White House counsel John W. Dean told the Senate Watergate Committee about an "enemies list" kept by the Nixon White House ... In 1973, former White House counsel John W. Dean told the Senate Watergate Committee about an "enemies list" kept by the Nixon White House. (KWTX.com, TX)
Gitmo Trial Looms in Election Homestretch Jun 25, 2008
"The administration would like to have the big 9/11 trial in the fall, but it may not happen that soon," said Bradford Berenson, a lawyer at Sidley Austin who served as associate White House counsel during Bush's first term. But even if a trial doesn't occur by the fall, says Deborah Pearlstein, the founder of Human Rights First and a specialist in national security law, it's still likely that issues related to the war on terrorism will be a staple of campaign debate. (KFOR Oklahoma City, OK)
Fired U.S. attorneys case hits judicial roadblock Jun 25, 2008
has asked whether White House Chief of Staff Joshua Bolton and former White House counsel Harriet Miers (not shown) should be prosecuted ... has asked whether White House Chief of Staff Joshua Bolton (not shown) and former White House counsel Harriet Miers should be prosecuted. (Christian Science Monitor -- USA)
Battle in court over executive privilege Federal judge says suit puts him... Jun 25, 2008
The House Judiciary Committee, which is investigating the firing of U.S. attorneys in 2006, sued in March seeking to force former White House counsel Harriet Miers to testify about a possible White House role in the dismissals ... House counsel Irv Nathan argued that Bates should order Miers to testify and allow her to invoke executive privilege only on a question-by-question basis. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Politics)
McCain veep helper is discreet lawyer Jun 25, 2008
In Culvahouse, a one-time White House counsel to President Reagan, McCain gets someone whose work mostly has been so obscure that he likely isn't recognized outside Washington's Beltway. Culvahouse has been involved in vetting people for positions at all levels of government for three decades, roles he's gotten partly because of his reputation for under-the-radar maneuvering. (MSNBC -- Politics)
Judge challenges Bush's immunity claim Jun 24, 2008
US District Judge John Bates repeatedly challenged an administration lawyer to cite legal justification for the refusal of former White House counsel Harriet Miers and Chief of Staff Joshua Bolten to obey subpoenas to appear before the House Judiciary Committee. The panel in Washington sought testimony and documents from Miers about whether White House aides orchestrated the nine dismissals for improper political motivations, such as to spur prosecution of Democrats or protect Republicans. (Boston Globe)
Lawsuit could be power shake-up for Obama, McCain Jun 24, 2008
Maybe the next Congress will still want documents from the Bush administration and demand to bring former White House counsel Harriet Miers in for questioning. Or maybe not. (AL.com)
Administrative shake-up restructures top University positions Jun 23, 2008
Vice President and General Counsel Beth Nolan, who formerly served as White House counsel, will be the interim vice president of External Relations. Additionally, Chief Human Resources Officer Val Berry was promoted in part for her close work with the Board and the campus plan, University Spokesperson Tracy Schario said. (GW Hatchet, Washington DC)
The quiet man Jun 22, 2008
Far more culpable were Ehrlichman (whom Rosen clearly dislikes); Jeb Magruder, Mitchell's number two at the Committee to Re-elect the President, and in Rosen's persuasive portrayal a duplicitous weakling; and, above all, White House counsel John Dean, a onetime Mitchell prot g , whom Rosen considers the true mastermind of both break-in and coverup. But it remains true, as Rosen acknowledges, that Mitchell failed to reject outright G. Gordon Liddy's fantastical Gemstone plan to be directed... (Boston Globe)
Bush Exerts Executive Privilege Over EPA Docs Jun 21, 2008
President Bush has also asserted executive privilege to keep his chief of staff, Josh Bolten, and former White House counsel Harriet Miers from having to provide information to Congress about the firing of a group of U.S. attorneys in what Democrats consider a political purge. In February the Democratic-led House voted to hold Miers and Bolten in contempt of Congress despite the assertion of executive privilege. (Fox News)
White House asserts executive privilege in EPA dispute Jun 21, 2008
Bush has also asserted executive privilege to keep his chief of staff, Josh Bolten, and former White House counsel Harriet Miers from having to provide information to Congress about the firing of a group of U.S. attorneys in what Democrats consider a political purge. In February the Democratic-led House voted to hold Miers and Bolten in contempt of Congress despite the assertion of executive privilege. (Yahoo News -- Politics)
Open impeachment hearings, Jun 20, 2008
But the Judiciary Committee has announced that former White House press secretary Scott McClellan will testify under oath today and may soon enforce their subpoenas to bring White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolten and former White House Counsel Harriet Miers to the stand. I observed the 1974 impeachment process closely. (NJ.com -- Times)
Easing of laws that led to detainee abuse hatched in secret Jun 19, 2008
Alberto Gonzales, first the White House counsel and then the attorney general, resigned last August amid allegations of perjury related to congressional hearings about the firings of U.S. attorneys. The Defense Department in February abruptly announced the resignation of William J. Haynes II, the former Pentagon general counsel, amid sharp public criticism by military lawyers that he failed to ensure a just system of detainee trials at Guantanamo. (Anchorage Daily News)
Tyco Lobbyist Urges Senators to Support Tyco Lawyer Nomination Jun 19, 2008
Flanigan also responded to a series of questions about his role as a White House counsel in the review of policies for the handling of detainees and whether detainees could be subjected to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. He said he would not advise the attorney general or others that U.S. personnel are permitted to engage in cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. (Yahoo News -- Tyco)
It Was Top Down, Stupid Jun 19, 2008
When the Abu Ghraib scandal hit in the summer of 2004, two of the administration's most senior lawyersWhite House Counsel Alberto Gonzales and the Defense Department's General Counsel Jim Haynesstood before the world's media and laid out the official explanation for newly aggressive interrogation within the U.S. military: It was the result of a bottom-up request from an aggressive combatant commander at Guantanamo; it was implemented within the law and on the basis of careful legal advice;... (Slate)
Rove Attorney Mum on Attendance at Judiciary Hearing Jun 18, 2008
Conyers and Sanchez's letter did not indicate what the committee would do if Rove does not appear at the July hearing, but the committee could take action similar to what it did with respect to former White House counsel Harriet Miers and White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolten, when they refused to appear before the committee. In their case, the panel forwarded contempt citations to the full House, which in February approved the citations. (Fox News -- Politics)
End run around law led to abuses Jun 18, 2008
Timothy E. Flanigan, a former deputy White House counsel, withdrew his nomination to be deputy attorney general in 2005 amid mounting questions in the Senate about his role in drafting the administration's legal definition of torture and other issues. Alberto Gonzales, first the White House counsel and then the attorney general, resigned last August amid allegations of perjury related to congressional hearings about the firings of U.S. attorneys. (News & Observer)
A timeline to Bush government torture Jun 18, 2008
Aug. 1, 2002 -- The Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel sent memos to Alberto Gonzales, then the White House counsel, about the definition of torture. It sent another memo to the CIA. The memo to Gonzales defined torture as pain "equivalent in intensity to the pain accompanying serious physical injury, such as organ failure, impairment of bodily function, or even death." The CIA memo remains classified. (Salon)
Out of Bounds Jun 14, 2008
The ghosts of the old scandal practically leapt up and touched me, however, this past spring, when the House of Representatives filed a civil action against former White House Counsel Harriet Miers and current White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolten. The lawsuit resulted when the pair refused to testify before Congress concerning the seemingly politically motivated U.S. attorney firings in the winter of 2006. (Slate)
McCain steps up push to win over disaffected Clinton backers Jun 13, 2008
The Obama campaign has this week targeted one of McCain's vice presidential candidate vetters, Arthur Culvahouse, who served as President Reagan's White House counsel and who is now in a prominent Washington law firm. "It's too bad their campaign is still rife with lobbyist influence and doesn't see a similar 'perception problem' with the man currently running their own vice presidential selection process, a prominent D.C. lobbyist whose firm has represented Exxon and a top Enron executive,"... (Boston Globe)
OBAMA'S BUS Jun 13, 2008
As for Holder, he helped push the pardon on behalf of Rich's lawyer, former Clinton White House counsel Jack Quinn - whose help he reportedly sought in trying to become attorney general in an Al Gore administration. The pardon deal completely bypassed prosecutors in the case, who were irate when they learned of it. (New York Post -- Opinions)
