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06/27/2002 Archived Entry: "Alberto Gonzalez"

The White House is preparing for a possible retirement by a Supreme Court judge

Alberto Gonzalez story
Gonzales rejected a job offer from the first President Bush in 1988
to try to become one of Vinson & Elkins' first minority partners.
He was made a partner in 1991, then left for Austin in 1995 to
become the governor's counsel.

One of Gonzales' most controversial actions in that post was helping
to get George W. Bush excused from jury duty in 1996, a situation
that could have required the governor to disclose his then-secret 1976
conviction for drunken driving in Maine.

Gonzales Gets a Look for Possible Supreme Court Vacancy
Gonzales has been a key player in Bush's anti-terrorism agenda,
with plans for military tribunals for foreigners suspected of terrorism.
He was also instrumental in labeling prisoners "battlefield detainees"
instead of "prisoners of war" at Guantanamo.

As White House counsel, Gonzales has also been the point man on
some of the administration's initiatives, including those involving
Vice President Dick Cheney and energy firms like Enron.

This is my favorite section...
In a July 9, 2001, column, former presidential candidate Pat Buchanan
said Gonzales has the potential to become another David Souter.

Al Gonzales Joins Bush Team
Alberto Gonzalez / Bush White House
The powers and perils of being White House Counsel
Dean: Being White House Counsel

White House Counsel Alberto Gonzalez, DOJ official Tom Marinis,
and Dept. of Commerce counsel Ted Kassinger all came out of Vinson & Elkins.

Vinson & Elkins has forged close ties with Enron
Enron's Lawyers Get Third Degree
Vinson & Elkins parry Enron onslaught
House panel directs ire at Enron lawyers
Houston Judges Got $200,550