oracle
07-03-2002, 09:08 PM
Olson's Role in War on Terror Matches His Uncommon Clout (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A16413-2002Jul2.html)
Legal Strategy Seeks to Ensure Victory in Cases That Reach High Court
By Charles Lane
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, July 3, 2002; Page A21
On Sept. 11, terrorism inflicted a wrenching personal loss on Solicitor General Theodore B. Olson: His wife, Barbara, a lawyer and television commentator, was aboard the jetliner that hijackers crashed into the Pentagon.
But that day's events were professionally transforming, too. Since then, Olson has taken charge of the Bush administration's aggressive assertion of executive authority in the war against terrorism, adding a series of lower-court cases to the solicitor general's usual task -- managing the government's Supreme Court caseload.
Olson's lead role in this complex and largely unprecedented legal battle, which has huge implications for national security and civil liberties, reflects the uncommon clout this solicitor general has within the administration. In addition to the war-on-terror cases, President Bush has asked him to handle the potentially historic case over the General Accounting Office's demand for information on Vice President Cheney's contacts with energy lobbyists.
"Ted is the most influential legal officer in a long, long time," said Walter Dellinger, who was acting solicitor general during the Clinton administration.
Now that the first full Supreme Court term of his 18-month tenure has drawn to a close, Olson gives the impression of a man still reeling from a heavy blow -- but thankful that he can shape the U.S. response.
"I think the healing process goes better if you have work to do that you have to do," said Olson, 61, surrounded at his Justice Department office by photographs of Barbara Olson. "That focuses your attention to some degree away from normal feelings of grief and desperation that you might otherwise be affected by. It doesn't go away in any respect, but it is an outlet for your mental attention."
...
Click here to read more (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A16413-2002Jul2.html)
Legal Strategy Seeks to Ensure Victory in Cases That Reach High Court
By Charles Lane
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, July 3, 2002; Page A21
On Sept. 11, terrorism inflicted a wrenching personal loss on Solicitor General Theodore B. Olson: His wife, Barbara, a lawyer and television commentator, was aboard the jetliner that hijackers crashed into the Pentagon.
But that day's events were professionally transforming, too. Since then, Olson has taken charge of the Bush administration's aggressive assertion of executive authority in the war against terrorism, adding a series of lower-court cases to the solicitor general's usual task -- managing the government's Supreme Court caseload.
Olson's lead role in this complex and largely unprecedented legal battle, which has huge implications for national security and civil liberties, reflects the uncommon clout this solicitor general has within the administration. In addition to the war-on-terror cases, President Bush has asked him to handle the potentially historic case over the General Accounting Office's demand for information on Vice President Cheney's contacts with energy lobbyists.
"Ted is the most influential legal officer in a long, long time," said Walter Dellinger, who was acting solicitor general during the Clinton administration.
Now that the first full Supreme Court term of his 18-month tenure has drawn to a close, Olson gives the impression of a man still reeling from a heavy blow -- but thankful that he can shape the U.S. response.
"I think the healing process goes better if you have work to do that you have to do," said Olson, 61, surrounded at his Justice Department office by photographs of Barbara Olson. "That focuses your attention to some degree away from normal feelings of grief and desperation that you might otherwise be affected by. It doesn't go away in any respect, but it is an outlet for your mental attention."
...
Click here to read more (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A16413-2002Jul2.html)