Whispers Hurt White House Counsel's Effectiveness on Job
Appointed to one of the most difficult jobs in the Obama administration, White House counsel Gregory Craig has stumbled, some say, on major matters such as the attempt to close the U.S. military detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, which appears likely to be delayed.
The 64-year-old Washington, D.C., veteran is the victim of a whispering campaign that could become a self-fulfilling prophecy that President Barack Obama has lost confidence in him and he is on the way out, reports the New York Times.
Although Craig says he has no plans to depart and the White House continues to express confidence in him, it has reportedly limited his work on some projects.
“In the White House, in particular, power is the perception of power,” former associate White House counsel Bradford Berenson tells the newspaper. “And if people perceive you to be under attack and on the way out, it limits your effectiveness.”
Earlier coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “White House Counsel Craig Loses Lead Gitmo Role”
ABAJournal.com: “Is White House Counsel Being Set Up as Gitmo Fall Guy?”
ABAJournal.com: “White House Denies Report that Counsel Greg Craig May Be on His Way Out”
