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May 26, 2008
Reagan's Would-be Assassin Aided by Top Obama Adviser
'Lawyer of the left' also represents alleged killer of U.S. soldier, helped Clinton during Lewinsky
An attorney and top foreign policy adviser to Sen. Barack Obama is coming under fire for representing controversial figures, including an accused human rights abuser, an alleged murderer of a U.S. soldier and even the would-be assassin of President Ronald Reagan.
Greg Craig, who has been termed the "lawyer of the left," represented John Hinckley Jr., who attempted to assassinate Reagan in 1981 by firing six bullets at the president as he left a hotel. Craig was reportedly the architect of Hinckley's successful defense in which he was found not guilty by reason of insanity, even though reports by the federal prosecution found Hinckley sane.
As a partner in the high-powered Washington, D.C., law firm of Williams & Connolly, Craig represented former Bolivian Defense Minister Carlos Sanchez-Berzain in a federal lawsuit of "crimes against humanity" due to his alleged role in the suppression of labor union riots in 2003 that resulted in the deaths of 67 people.
Sanchez-Berzain is loathed in Bolivia for allegedly turning the army loose on protesters in what was described as a brutal massacre of unarmed men, women and children, some of whom were reportedly shot at point-blank range.
Craig currently represents Pedro Miguel Gonzalez-Pinzon, president of the Panamanian National Assembly, who is wanted in the U.S. for the 1992 murder of a U.S. Army soldier and the attempted murder of another.
Gonzalez, a harsh critic of the U.S., is accused of murdering the solider, Zak Hernandez Laporte, on the eve of President George H.W. Bush's visit to Panama in 1992. The FBI is said to have credible evidence proving Gonzalez's guilt.
The accusations and Gonzalez's Panamanian government position are a primary reason the U.S. has halted a U.S.-Panama free trade accord.
The American Future Fund this week called on Obama to fire Craig, stating in an ad campaign that someone who "has a history of defending corrupt foreign leaders and murderers" could offer severely misguided advice to the Illinois senator.
The AFF launched a YouTube video petitioning for Craig's ouster........
In a January editorial, the Dallas Morning News called on Obama to fire Craig if the attorney doesn't drop the Panamanian as a client:
"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," read the editorial.Obama repeatedly has attacked Sen. John McCain for purportedly allowing lobbyists to serve as top advisers.
The Political Punch blog run by ABC News senior national correspondent Jake Tapper noted:
"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, Gonzalez's indictment has complicated passage of the U.S.-Panama Free Trade Agreement."Craig recently said at a forum that Obama's campaign is aware of his involvement in the Gonzalez case.
"I have removed myself from participation in discussions with the candidate or his advisers on relations between the United States and Panama," Craig said.Obama has been on the record stating he opposes any trade act with Panama due to the Gonzalez case. But Obama has not addressed Craig's defense of other unsavory characters such as Hinckley. Craig also has represented Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., in the 1991 Palm Beach, Fla., rape case involving the senator and his accused nephew, William Kennedy Smith, who was acquitted of all charges. Craig was an aide to Kennedy in the 1980s. In 2004, Craig was counsel for then-U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan during investigations that year of the Oil-for-Food scandal. Craig, an anti-war protester in the 1960s, also successfully represented Juan Miguel Gonzalez, the Cuban father of Elian Gonzalez during the 2000 child custody dispute that ended in the forcible seizure of Elian by U.S. marshals and the boy's return to Cuba. According to reports, Craig was heavily involved in the decision to seize Elian. The outcome was seen as a major victory for Cuban President Fidel Castro.
Craig is a top foreign policy adviser to Obama. His foreign policy experience includes serving as Sen. Ted Kennedy's senior adviser on defense, foreign policy and national security issues from 1974 to 1988. In 1997, Secretary of State Madeleine Albright appointed Craig as a top senior adviser and as director of policy planning.
Craig's embrace of Obama turned some heads due to the attorney's high profile representation of Bill Clinton during impeachment hearings over the Monica Lewinsky scandal. When the Senate refused to convict Clinton on accusations of perjury, Craig was seen as the politician's savior.
But Craig admonished Sen. Hillary Clinton in a March posting on Obama's site:
"Hillary Clinton's argument that she has passed 'the commander-in-chief test' is simply not supported by her record," he wrote.
"Obama possesses the personal attributes of a great leader – an even temperament, an open-minded approach to even the most challenging problems, a willingness to listen to all views, clarity of vision, the ability to inspire, conviction and courage," Craig argued.
Wild Thing's comment........
Incredible isn’t it? The associations of Obama are mind-boggling. Actually Obama fits in perfectly with these people, all peas in a pod.
This country will not be the same after 4 years of Obamessiah. In my opinion and my impression is that Obama is not really an American. He treats his country with the disdain and detachment of some foreign leftist. Therein lies a big danger as well.
The resumes of the Obama ‘folks’ is coming out in dribbles and drabs; but heavy with warnings.
Repubs should make a scrolling ad; resume like; with the highlights of ‘work experience/background’ of those close to Obama.
Could say a great deal; in small amount of space/time.
Posted by Wild Thing at May 26, 2008 04:47 AM
Comments
Craig appears to be another Ramsey Clark. Both are Socialists with strong anti American views. Craig is really a typical Obama associate. Obama is attracting the weird Left like stick draws flies.
Posted by: TomR at May 26, 2008 11:16 AM
Just like a cesspool the scum gathers at the bottom and the rather large chunks float to the top.
Why are all of Obama's supporters, Muzzies, left wing crack pots, or just plain nuts. All of these supporters think they are the cream of the crop and have been just waiting for the right crack-pot to come along so they could jump on his wagon. Hopefully it tips very soon.
Posted by: Mark at May 26, 2008 11:45 AM
On March 10, 1854 the Republican Party was founded in Ripon, Wisconsin by former members of the Whig Party to establish a new party to oppose the spread of slavery into the western territories. The Whig Party, which was formed in 1834 to oppose the "tyranny" of President Andrew Jackson and had shown itself incapable of coping with the national crisis over slavery.This is significant because we fought a civil war which gives us today's Memorial Day.
What has happened to WWisconsin, for that matter the rest of the nation?
A weak RNC makes for a strong DNC, since there are few differences in the platforms of the Democrat Party and the Communist Party USA, the CPUSA members aren't challenged but welcomed by the Democrats, they are one and the same, our beloved RNC calls them 'Mavericks'. It is no surprise to see an America hating malcontent foreigner of Communist and muzzy persuasion running as a Democrat, with half the nation in a Bush hating fenzy following him. From bondage to bondage by a black slavemaster?
Posted by: Jack at May 26, 2008 12:50 PM
"The resume’s of the Obama ‘folks’ is coming out in dribbles and drabs; but heavy with warnings."
"Repubs should make a scrolling ad; resume like; with the highlights of ‘work experience/background’ of those close to Obama."
WT, good suggestion, but I wouldn't count on the Repubs. Maybe talk radio or someone like Ann Coulter. I would preface the resume with a matching potential job in an Obama administration. In this case, Attorney General. Talk about warning signs. This guy is a red flag (pun intended) with fireworks going off around it.
Posted by: Les at May 26, 2008 02:28 PM
Tom, yes he is a lot like Ramsey Clark. augh!!!
Posted by: Wild Thing at May 26, 2008 11:33 PM
Mark his plate is loaded isn't it and all people with extemely low character and haters of America. I sure hope and pray people wake up about him before November.
Posted by: Wild Thing at May 26, 2008 11:36 PM
Jack, well said thank you,I agree.
Posted by: Wild Thing at May 26, 2008 11:41 PM
Les, LOL your right, it won't happen.
Posted by: Wild Thing at May 26, 2008 11:42 PM
