Bush nominee faces Senate vote

FROM THE ARCHIVE

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MAY 17, 2001

The Senate Judiciary Committee today will consider the nomination of Theodore B. Olson, President Bush's pick to be Solicitor General at the Department of Justice.

A vote has been held up so far on Olson due to conflicts over testimony he gave the committee. Although he had significant dealings with a conservative magazine, he has denied involvement in the origin of a $2.3 million project that investigated potential crimes of Hillary and Bill Clinton.

Olson has received support from Republicans on the panel. Democrats requested a probe on the project, but Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) said no.

As Solicitor General, Olson would represent the United States before the Supreme Court and also be the one who normally decides what cases the nation will pursue before the Court.

Olson represented Bush on the election cases last fall. He also argued successfully the case of Harold "Freddy" Rice, whose challenge to Native Hawaiian programs in Hawaii has lead to widespread changes in the state.

Miguel Estrada, one of Olson's partners at the law firm of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, was nominated by President George W. Bush to the District of Columbia Court of Appeals.

Get the Story:
The Two Theodore Olsons (The Washington Post 5/17)

Relevant Links:
American Spectator - http://www.spectator.org
Gibson, Dunn, & Crutcher - http://www.gdclaw.com