Tony Thurmond: “I am very pleased to support Mr. Ted Olson today to be Solicitor General. Mr. Olson is one of the most qualified people…”

“I am very pleased to support Mr. Ted Olson today to be Solicitor General. Mr. Olson is one of the most qualified people ever nominated for this position. He has had an extensive and impressive legal career, specializing in appellate law. He has argued many cases of great significance in the Federal courts, including 15 cases before the U.S. Supreme Court. He also has written extensively and testified before the Congress on a wide variety of legal issues. In addition, he served admirably as Assistant Attorney General in the Office of Legal Counsel under President Reagan. He provided expert, nonpartisan advice based on the law. I am confident he will do the same as Solicitor General. For example, he has assured the Judiciary Committee that he will defend laws of Congress as long as there is any reasonable argument to support them. Over the years, he has earned a distinguished reputation in the legal community. In fact, he has been endorsed for this position by a wide variety of people in the profession, including Harvard Law Professor Laurence Tribe. Mr. Olson is a decent, honorable man, and a person of high character and integrity. He is one of the most capable and distinguished attorneys practicing law today. Many allegations have been raised about Mr. Olson, but there is no merit to these charges. The fact that allegations are raised does not mean they are true or that they have any significance.”