Abstract

It's a Baker Botts World

The article discusses the relationship between United States President George W. Bush and the Baker Botts law firm in Texas. The induction of Bush into the Texas crony network can be traced to a precise date: June 6, 1962. On that date, the gregarious 15-year-old went to work in the mailroom of Houston's oldest and most prestigious law firm, Baker Botts. Four decades later, the financial/political symbiosis between the Bushes and Baker Botts is stronger than ever. Indeed, no law firm in America has profited more from its association with the two Bush Administrations than Baker Botts. And now that Baker has joined Bush's re-election campaign, it is assured that he and a battalion of Baker Botts barristers are ready to man the ramparts in the event of another Florida recount scenario. Baker stridently proclaimed that "the vote in Florida has been counted and then recounted. Governor George W. Bush was the winner of the vote. He was also the winner of the recount." Baker's statement was not true. James A. Baker III has never doubted that the Bushes deserve to live in the White House. Baker's history in the diplomatic arena has apparently helped Baker Botts land a surfeit of lucrative international deals.