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When the general counsel for Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) this week made the case for a presidential pardon of convicted White House aide I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby, he put in a disclaimer that read, “All the views expressed in this post are those of the author and not of any client of his firm.”
Disclaimers may have some traction in courtrooms, but in politics, they’re useless.
In his post on the heavily trafficked Huffingtonpost.com site, Obama attorney Robert Bauer used a unique argument for a pardon. He wrote, “A pardon is just what Bush’s opponents should want. A pardon brings the president into the heart of the case.”
Many liberal bloggers were not pleased, and they certainly didn’t pay much attention to the disclaimer.
One blogger responded, “Unbelievable — Barack, this guy works for you?”
Another stated, “And somebody (Obama) is paying you? Seriously? Go join the GOP. You are NOT a progressive.”
Bauer, of course, has the right to express his opinion on the Libby case. Regardless of the merits of his argument, however, it was a political mistake and a distraction for the Obama campaign.
Obama spokeswoman Jen Psaki stressed that Bauer did not consult the campaign about the blog post. Likewise, Bauer told The Hill’s Sam Youngman, “Never at any time have I written for a candidate or asked a candidate’s approval, and I have not done so in this instance.”
Despite the outcry from bloggers, Obama is keeping Bauer as his lawyer. But we expect the odds have risen that Bauer will inform his high-profile client next time he wants to express his views publicly on such a touchy topic.
Wyoming state Rep. Colin Simpson (R) is embarrassed and trying to cover his blushes — but in a way that should make him blush again.
He told The Hill Monday that Rep. Barbara Cubin (R-Wyo.) told him she’d seek reelection and announce formally next year. Cubin disclosed this when Simpson talked to her last month to say he intended to challenge her in a primary.
Here, transcribed from tape, is what he told us: “She said, ‘Thank you very much for letting me know. Right now, I’m planning to run again, and I’ll make a formal announcement in January or February.’”
We reported, “Simpson said Cubin said she intended to announce in early 2008 that she is running for reelection ...”
Perhaps befuddled after Cubin excoriated him for disclosing their private conversation, Simpson tells Wyoming papers he only revealed there’d be an announcement, not what it would be. Oh, right.
He’s momentarily dropped the idea of a primary and now wants to replace the late Sen. Craig Thomas (R-Wyo.). Maybe he’ll be the right guy if he learns to take responsibility for his words and doesn’t try to shoot the messenger. |
