by James Oliphant
Theodore Olson, the former solicitor general during the first term of the Bush administration and chair of Rudy Giuliani's justice advisory committee, has migrated to the McCain camp.
Obviously, there weren't many choices left (Ron Paul has all the advice he needs, thank you very much), but the move still has significance.
While allied with Giuliani, Olson put together a group of conservative heavy-hitters and former Justice Department lawyers that would have helped provide some continuity between the legal policy of the Bush White House and the new administration.
A star among conservative thinkers, Olson could do the same for McCain and, in fact, could even be in line for a Supreme Court appointment if the McCain White House would consider choosing someone more than 50 years old for the nation's highest court.
"I have long admired John McCain for his courage, character, and integrity," Olson said in a statement. "He is the candidate best prepared to lead as commander in chief from day one. John McCain has a deep-rooted conservative philosophy and I trust him to appoint strict constructionists, like Chief Justice Roberts and Justices Scalia, Thomas and Alito, to judicial positions."
Of course, politics is more fickle than a dog in a butcher shop, or something to that effect. On Monday, the day before the Florida primary, this landed in your correspondent's inbox.
Dear James,With all the hype and the rhetoric this campaign season, it's important to remember that this campaign is about ideas. And that's why I am supporting the candidate who has a bold vision to bring people together to solve big problems.
Rudy Giuliani and I worked together in the Reagan Justice Department. And it was there I first learned of Rudy's ability to rally people around a common cause. Rudy got things done. He was a strong leader who always had an optimistic vision for the future.
Join me in Rudy's Drive2Five and tell your friends and neighbors why you support Rudy for President.
This campaign is about big ideas and the American people want someone with a proven record to turn around Washington. From his time as Associate Attorney General and helping Ronald Reagan select conservative judges, to his time as US Attorney and taking down the mob, to his time as Mayor of New York City and transforming the nation's crime capital into the safest large city in America, Rudy has always accomplished big goals.
And if the American people ever needed a President who can accomplish big goals, that time is now.
As you go to the polls, it's important to remember that our next President must be able to bring people together. Throughout his entire career, Rudy has brought people together to get things done. Often times we forget that Washington is about more than just a partisan parlor game; it's about getting results. Nobody knows more about getting results than Rudy Giuliani.
Rudy will keep us on offense in the Terrorists' War on Us. On his first day in office he will send Congress the largest tax cut in American history. He will end illegal immigration and secure our borders, and he will appoint strict constructionist judges to the bench. I know Rudy doesn't just talk about these things; Rudy can and will get them done.
Tomorrow, the delegate rich road to the GOP nomination begins in Florida. Join me in supporting Rudy's Drive2Five and help Rudy win Florida.
On To Victory!
Theodore B. Olson
Mitt Romney has put together his own legal policy committee, which includes Victoria Toensing and Douglas Kmeic, both of whom served in the Reagan administration with Olson. And in a world without gimmicky cable news debates and sound bites, it would be interesting to see the two groups debate each other. But the only way that would ever happen is if it were tied to a madcap race around the world or a survival game on an island.
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Comments
I hope Ted gives McCain the same great advice Rudy has been getting.
"He is the candidate best prepared to lead as commander in chief from day one. "
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So why was he supporting Rudy? Oh yeah, he wants to join the Supreme Court. Switching horses like this shows how unprincipled he really is, a true republican and a lock should a repub steal the presidency again.
Posted by: Bruce Y | February 1, 2008 11:47 AM
WOW,Trial lawyer Ted is for McCain!
Olson defended President Reagan during the Iran-Contra affair.
Olson had also gained notability by acting as attorney for convicted Israeli spy Jonathan Pollard while he was in private practice.
The BIG question is:
Will Babs (Clinton hater) Olsen also support McCain???
Posted by: Raving Loon | February 1, 2008 11:56 AM
"RUDY SPEAKS"
HEE-HEE HAH-HAH, TAKE MY "SCUM SUCKING BOTTOM FEADER LAWYER" AKA "THE FISH" AND BEGONE.
LOOK OUT, LOOK OUT, WHEREVER YOU ARE. JOHN MCCAIN HAS A NEW ATTORNEY.
RUDY GIULIANI'S PERSONAL "FISH"
WE DON'T NEED NO STINKIN CONSTITUTION. I'M MAD, AND I'M MAD AS HELL.
VOTE FOR JOHN JOHN AND HE WILL GIVE YOU ONE OF MY "CHERTOFF CERTIFIED FORENSIC DNA TATOO ON THE BACK OF YO NECK.
COME TOGETHER AMERICA, COME TOGETHER UNTO US!
BECAUSE WE ARE MAD, MAD AS HELL!
Posted by: Roger Morris | February 1, 2008 12:07 PM
Who do you think won the Republican debate in California 1/30/2008 ?
From the DEBATE held in California 1/30/08. POLITICO.COM interviewed several (11) women who sat down before the debate and asked them who their candidate or leaning to and after watching the debate again asked them about who IS THE CANDIDATE that impressed them and their view had changed dramatically.
CHECK OUT THIS LINK ===> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bVyLaU4HDY
Posted by: A Simple | February 1, 2008 12:12 PM
Olson is a huge get. He's one the administration's best constitutional lawyers and a former candidate for Attorney General. He's as committed as McCain to hunting down and killing the terrorists, too.
Posted by: Jeff | February 1, 2008 12:13 PM
"MCCAIN GOES FISHING"
YES AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA MCCAIN FINDS HIS NEW FISH. ONE WITH CLASS AND SKILL, AND HIS EMAILS IN HIS BACK POCKET.
JOHN JOHN GETS HIS OWN "SCUM SUCKING BOTTOM FEEDER FROM THE SEA"
AND CAN TELL THE DIFFERENCE.
HE'S A RUDY MAN, AND A RUDY MAN IS A JOHN JOHN MAN!
Posted by: Roger Morris | February 1, 2008 1:23 PM
Olson is a huge get. He's one the administration's best constitutional lawyers and a former candidate for Attorney General. He's as committed as McCain to hunting down and killing the terrorists, too.
Posted by: Jeff | February 1, 2008 12:13 PM
Being "the administration's best constitutional lawyer" means the lawyer most willing to ignore the Constitution and suspend civil liberties.
Posted by: Translator | February 1, 2008 2:05 PM
You idiot! Barbara Olson died on 9-11! Get your info. correct before you post a comment.
Hooray for Olson. He'd make a great replacement for one of the liberal justices wishing to retire!
As someone who was a strong Rudy G. supporter, and one who lives in AZ now... I will be supporting Senator John McCain.He's definitely the most patriotic of the candidates running, and hopefully can stop another Clinton legacy.
Has anyone figured out that Mitt rhymes with Sh*t? I definitely don't want to go there, and obviously am quite happy trial lawyer ambulance chasing John Edwards is done.
Posted by: Shawnna L.M. Bolick | February 1, 2008 3:07 PM
Jeff,
Who are "the terrorists"?
Posted by: john | February 1, 2008 3:16 PM
Try again, translator, Ted won most of his cases before the bench including the important Bush v. Gore, so the authority in these matters - the Supreme Court justices - clearly disagree with you. I'll take their opinion of what the constitution means over yours any day.
Posted by: Jeff | February 1, 2008 3:19 PM
I'll take their opinion of what the constitution means over yours any day.
Posted by: Jeff | February 1, 2008 3:19 PM
Really Jeff? Including on abortion?
Posted by: Translator | February 1, 2008 4:21 PM
You McCain has been anointed by the MSM to be the next Puppet of the United States. The proof is in the pudding. They've all endorsed him (even when he was way behind in the polls.)
Did you notice how McCain went from near bankruptcy (considered a long shot at best) as late as Dec. 15, to front-runner status within a period of just weeks.
McCain received the endorsement of the dominant newspaper in each and every primary/caucus state?
Not really a big surprise considering NONE of the papers are actually locally owned. They're all owned by national media conglomerates such as: The New York Times Co., Gannett News, The Washington Post Co., McClatchy News Inc, and Tribune News.
Who are the owners and what's their background?
Richard Nixon and Billy Graham knew the score. See:
youtube.com/watch?v=bCuCLA0DhBs
Posted by: AJ | February 1, 2008 6:15 PM
John McCain has been anointed by the MSM to be the next Puppet of the United States. The proof is in the pudding. They've all endorsed him (even when he was way behind in the polls).
Did you notice how McCain went from near bankruptcy (considered a long shot at best) as late as Dec. 15, to front-runner status within a period of just weeks?
McCain received the endorsement of the dominant newspaper in each and every primary/caucus state.
Not really a big surprise considering NONE of the papers are actually locally owned. They're all owned by national media conglomerates such as: The New York Times Co., Gannett News, The Washington Post Co., McClatchy News Inc, and Tribune News.
Who are the owners and what are their backgrounds?
Richard Nixon and Billy Graham knew the score. See:
youtube.com/watch?v=bCuCLA0DhBs
Posted by: AJ | February 1, 2008 6:28 PM
McClintObama Amnesty Plan: 20 million illegal alien voters by 2010
February 1, 2008
by William Gheen
Americans for Legal Immigration PAC (ALIPAC)
www.alipac.us
Have GOP Voters forgotten that just a few months ago, John McCain stood hand-in-hand with liberal icon Ted Kennedy pushing for the largest amnesty for illegal aliens in American history? While Rasmussen polling showed that Americans following the legislation very closely opposed it 3 to 1 (69% to 23%), McCain ignored the massive public outcry!
The angry calls rolling into the Senate offices, including John McCain's, were between 50 and 100 to 1 against McCain and Kennedy's bill. We know this because we stood outside his door counting calls received by his staff and because other Senators told us the ratios they were receiving. History was made when the Capital phone system shut down, due to overload of calls from angry Americans.
John McCain refused to listen to Americans and went so far as to call members of the Senate who refused to support the McKennedy Amnesty "Racists"! John McCain showed no regard for American voices and instead called those who disagreed with him petty names. Who was John McCain listening to? He was listening to the US Chamber of Commerce and the racist illegal alien support groups like La Raza (The Race) whom he openly coordinated the effort with.
John McCain has illustrated in dramatic fashion that when he feels safe in his office, he couldn't care less about what a majority of Americans think.
(truncated)
For more info
http://www.alipac.us/article2920.html
Posted by: CheshireCat | February 2, 2008 1:33 AM