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Jake Tapper is ABC News' Senior National Correspondent based in the network's Washington bureau. He writes about politics and popular culture and covers a range of national stories.
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A Man, A Plan, An Indictment -- Panama
May 19, 2008 10:22 AM
With all the back-and-forth about possible conflicts of interest amidst the various lobbyists being purged from Sen. John McCain's Straight Talk Express the controversial client of a top campaign adviser to Sen. Barack Obama is getting renewed attention.
Greg Craig, a senior foreign policy adviser to Obama, is a partner at the big-shot DC law firm Williams & Connolly. There Craig represents Pedro Miguel González.
González is president of the Panamanian Legislature and is also under indictment in the U.S. for murdering U.S. Army Sgt. Zak Hernández in 1992.
There's a big difference between a lobbyist, who is paid to interact with lawmakers such as Mr. Obama, and a lawyer, who works with the courts. But in this situation, González's indictment has complicated passage of the U.S.-Panama Free Trade Agreement. So there is legislative relevance.
In January, the Dallas Morning News called for Craig to choose between defending González and working for Obama.
"The murder indictment, combined with Mr. González's leadership position, is hindering bilateral relations and causing a new U.S.-Panama free trade accord to stall in the Senate, where Mr. Obama holds office," the newspaper wrote. "Mr. Obama has made clear that the White House is no place for influence-peddlers and special interests...This is one instance where he needs to show presidential decisiveness by asking Mr. Craig to choose between the campaign and involvement in a legal case where hot-button bilateral issues – and a Senate vote – hang in the balance."
"The campaign knows of my involvement" in the González case, Craig said at a forum in March, "and I have removed myself from participation in discussions with the candidate or his advisers on relations between the United States and Panama."
For his part, Obama told a Wisconsin labor coalition that he would vote against the Panama Free Trade Agreement specifically because of González's indictment.
"Until that situation is resolved, we cannot support any trade agreement with Panama," Obama wrote.
Craig also represents Carlos Sánchez-Berzaín, the Bolivian Defense Minister who has been accused in a federal lawsuit of "crimes against humanity" because of his alleged role in the suppression of labor union riots in 2003 that resulted in the deaths of 67 people. He has represented Kofi Anan in the UN's oil-for-food scandal, Elian Gonzalez's father, John Hinckley, Jr., and former President Bill Clinton.
- jpt
May 19, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (9 )
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His shady associations keep rolling out. What will it take to make his supporters skeptical of his judgement--making Osama Bin Laden his VP? Oh I guess his supporters would just say to that, "We need to work closely with our enemies." If he's nominated, this lifelong Dem. is voting McCain.
Posted by: katherine | May 21, 2008 9:10:23 AM
Wait a minute....we have a lawyer defending the alleged murderer of a US citizen....and Obama says we should forget about treaties and trade agreements with Panama until his buddy works it out.
This is a definite conflict of interest....
McCain has recently developed a comprehensive conflict of interest policy that covers lobbyists in his campaign.
By the way is Obama still pretending that his campaign is not filled with lobbyists? Is he still denying the millions of dollars of "bundling' from special interests that he has been receiving?
Why are all these big shots flocking around Obama to give money to a cash rich campaign? Could it be that they think that they are "buying and currying" favor?
By my estimation Obama still owes Rezko $$175,000 for the lot he bought (in Rezko's wifes name hoping on one would notice)with the dirty money so that Obama could get in his house.
Posted by: Jackie | May 20, 2008 12:40:05 AM
Genna,
I hear you. Obama's a lawyer, so naturally some of his associates are, too. I find lobbyist on the campaign to be completely different.
Obama for President in '08!
Posted by: Chiming In | May 19, 2008 9:33:28 PM
Look, Jake, you can go to a lawyer's code of ethics and find out if there is an equivalent set of rules for lobbyists. I understand all the jokes that will result from that statement. As far as your presentation of this issue, I'd have to say its uninformed.
It is a difference between Mark Penn, a lobbyist company, representing Columbia in Congress and Greg Craig representing someone's interest in court.
For grins and gigles, check up on what it would take for Greg Craig to try to remove himself as counsel in court for this political matter. If his client has already accepted the conflict of interest, Craig can't get out of representing him.
I accept as an BHO supporter, my point will be lost for most people BUT as a journalists you should be capable of explaining the difference.
Posted by: Genna | May 19, 2008 1:53:04 PM
Just more of the shady relationships of Senator Barack Obama, junior from Illinois.
Anyone detecting a pattern yet or is the light still so bright you have to wear sunglasses in his presence?
Posted by: len | May 19, 2008 12:23:58 PM
But, but, but, he's Obama! What he's doing can't be wrong! It's those awful *politicians* who are wrong when they do these things, not The Obama!!
Posted by: Buford Gooch | May 19, 2008 11:05:36 AM
Yes seriously - is anyone surprised about this? In obama's campaign, one advisor has talks w/Canada about NAFTA, another advisor talks to Hamas, and now this. Am I missing anything? And the corrupt DNC and media are pushing this candidate so hard that we will never trust them again.
Posted by: Jenny | May 19, 2008 11:01:34 AM
Oh by the way Are we really surprised Obama has on his campiagn a Terrorist Lawyer!!
Posted by: spock | May 19, 2008 10:37:26 AM
So Obama has someone on his campaign who is helping in the downfall of Columbia!! because without the trade agreements Columbia will fall!!
Obama is a Liar!!! The MSM should be ashamed of themselves for being in his corner!!
Obama will bring out more support for McCain then anything McCain can do!!
Posted by: spock | May 19, 2008 10:36:37 AM
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