How a ‘Devoted Party Activist’ Started to Reconsider Political Battles
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Bob Bauer, a veteran lawyer for the Democrats and personal attorney for President Biden, has questioned the aggressive approach to politics that he has played a part in. In his new book “The Unraveling: Reflections on Politics Without Ethics and Democracy in Crisis,” he reflects on the state of American politics and his role in it. Bauer, who has represented Democratic Party organizations and candidates, advised during President Bill Clinton’s impeachment battle, and served as Barack Obama’s campaign lawyer, now argues for a shift from politics as a ‘blood sport’ to a more ethical approach that respects democratic norms and institutions.
Bob Bauer: Reevaluating Political Ethics and Democracy
Highly respected democratic attorney, Bob Bauer, is reconsidering his aggressive approach to politics in his new book, “The Unraveling: Reflections on Politics Without Ethics and Democracy in Crisis.” Bauer’s career includes serving as personal lawyer for President Biden and as lawyer for the White House during Obama’s presidency.
In his book, Bauer explores what he perceives as the deterioration of American politics, and questions the relationship between ethical decisions and the “warrior mentality” that exists in today’s political landscape. Nonetheless, Bauer, a self-proclaimed “committed partisan warrior,” doesn’t shy away from self-examination of his role in the current state of affairs.
Bauer argues against the state of politics as a blood sport, a trend amplified by former President Donald J. Trump with his aggressive campaigns and promises of vengeance. While he believes that Trump is an extreme example of what politics has become, Bauer also acknowledges the role of past politicians in creating an environment ripe for such behavior.
Despite his reputation for strategic legal tactics, Bauer is known for his thoughtfulness and ethical approach. He recently retired from his law firm, Perkins Coie, to focus on improving the political system, working with Republicans like Benjamin Ginsberg and Jack L. Goldsmith.
His contributions to political legal wars over the past decades have been significant. Bauer continues to play a major role in the current democratic power structure alongside his wife, Anita Dunn, a senior White House adviser. Bauer has also assisted President Biden during sensitive situations, including during an investigation into mishandling of classified documents.
The attorney firmly believes that political battles need not be destructive to democratic norms and institutions. He sees himself continuing to play a critical role in the 2024 campaign, but with a renewed focus on preserving democratic integrity. Bauer concludes, “you can be hard-charging and successful and at the same time be thoughtful about the effect of your choices on the health of democratic life and institutions”.
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