The Man Who Ran Washington: A Conversation with Journalists Peter Baker and Susan Glasser about Super-Lawyer James A. Baker

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The Man Who Ran Washington: A Conversation with Journalists Peter Baker and Susan Glasser about Super-Lawyer James A. Baker

The Center for American and International Law will host this webinar as part of the authors’ national book tour.

In a special virtual event hosted by The Center for American and International Law (CAIL) on October 6, the authors of a new comprehensive biography of James A. Baker III will share how the Houston lawyer rose to prominence in Washington and went on to influence major U.S. and foreign policy for decades.

For their book, “The Man Who Ran Washington,” which was released on Sept. 29, the husband and wife team of New York Times White House Correspondent Peter Baker and New Yorker Staff Writer Susan Glasser spoke for more than 70 hours with Baker, who is now 90 and living in Houston.

The authors’ participation in this event, which will run from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Oct. 6, will support a major fundraising initiative for CAIL.

“Attendees will learn about one of the leading dealmakers and government leaders in the modern era and explore his traits that can be utilized by all who seek to up their game in conflict resolution and negotiation,” said Talmage Boston, partner in the Dallas office of Shackelford, Bowen, McKinley & Norton, LLP. Boston will interview Baker and Glasser during the program.

Resulting from his early friendship with George H.W. Bush, James Baker entered political life in Washington at age 45 and rapidly gained the confidence of top Republican leaders for his ability to gain consensus across party lines and get things done. He served as Chief of Staff to Presidents Bush and Ronald Reagan, was Secretary of the Treasury and Secretary of State, and he ran five presidential campaigns.

Although he never held political office himself, he played key roles in the U.S. responses to the fall of the Berlin wall and the reunification of Germany, the end of the Cold War and the collapse of the Soviet Union, and the U.S. response to Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait. 

Boston has written a review of the book, which he described as a “delicious read for lovers of history” that “reminds the nation in 2020 that political power can be used to advance the national interest across party lines when it is wielded by a principled pragmatist whose primary purpose is to get things done.”

“Sponsors and those attending the Oct. 6 event are playing a key role in supporting CAIL’s mission,” said former Ambassador Robert Jordan, the event chair who served as the U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia from 2001 to 2003 under President George W. Bush. “We all care deeply about education in the rule of law and proper law enforcement administration. CAIL has earned a reputation as a leader in this field and depends on ongoing support to provide these critical services.”

Since it was formed almost 75 years ago, CAIL has educated tens of thousands of lawyers and law enforcement officials in the U.S. and around the world, with participants from 130 countries. 

CAIL’s programs help participants better serve their communities, clients, and organizations. Whether representing an individual faced with a capital offense or representing a client in an international arbitration dispute, CAIL provides participants with tools to exercise their responsibilities with skill, integrity and fairness.

Those interested in registering for the Oct. 6 program can go to https://www.cailaw.org/Other-Programs/Events/2020/baker-glasser-event.html.