January 31, 2008
Posted: January 31st, 2008 10:37 PM ET

(CNN) – Former Solicitor General Ted Olson will endorse John McCain Friday, a source close to the Arizona senator tells CNN.

Olson, who had supported Rudy Giuliani's White House bid, is a well respected conservative, particularly with respect to judicial appointments. He's a member of the highly regarded Federalist Society - an organization that promotes the teaching of state's rights and a limited federal government in the nation's best law schools.

Olson also helped steer the 2000 Florida recount effort on behalf of President Bush, and served as member of the Reagan Justice Department.

The endorsement will be a welcome one for McCain, who continues to face distrust from many of his Party’s most conservative quarters. Olson has connections to many of the Arizona Republican's harshest critics, and is likely able to make inroads with some of them.

– CNN's Dana Bash

Filed under: John McCain


WMW   February 1st, 2008 10:57 am ET

He is a war hawk! What do you expect?

McCain Abused Sympathy   January 31st, 2008 10:28 pm ET

McCain run is getting pathetic, just a bunch of people looking for favours and sad old man McCain is promising them all appointments.

It is a sad day for America, this washed up old man is trying to give away postions for power.

I fell sorry McCain being a prisoner that was abused in so many ways.

shirmel   January 31st, 2008 10:06 pm ET

WOW. ALTHOUGH MOST POLITICAL COMMENTATORS MAKE A PRETENSE OF BEING IMPARTIAL IN THEIR COMMENTS AND OBSERVATIONS, MANY UNINTENTIONALLY YET OBVIOUSLY INDICATE THEIR POLITICAL LEANINGS. SOME OPENLY ARE EITHER DEMOCRAT OR REPUBLICAN , ONE CANDIDATE OR ANOTHER. HOWEVER, I THOUGHT YOU WERE ONE OF THE MORE OBJECTIVE ONES IN YOUR OBSERVATIONS BUT YOUR COMMENTS ON THIS TICKER CLEARLY WERE BIASED IN FAVOR OF OBAMA. SO, OKAY, NOW THAT WE KNOW WHERE YOU STAND WE CAN GIVE THE APPROPRIATE WEIGHT TO YOUR COMMENTARY.
IT WOULD BE HELPFUL IF ALL POLITICAL COMMENTATORS / PUNDITS WOULD BE REQUIRED TO REVEAL THEIR PREFERENCES.

mc   January 31st, 2008 10:05 pm ET

maybe as pres. McCain can find out what really happened to Ted's wife...

discguy   January 31st, 2008 10:04 pm ET

you neglected to mention the part of his resume that covers the years he went after Bill Clinton with lies and innuendo as part of the far right wing's rabid attempt to debilitate the president.

SHL   January 31st, 2008 9:58 pm ET

Of course Olsen is backing Grandpa McCain, he's greasing the skids for a Supreme Court appointment.

Dave H.   January 31st, 2008 9:57 pm ET

My name is Dave and I'm endorsing Ron Paul.

You're probably saying "Who the hell are you and why should I listen to you?" Exactly. Who the hell is Ted Olson? I live in Arizona and I don't know who this guy is.

Not to mention, why do I care who Rudy Giuliani or Arnold Schwarzenegger endorses? Obviously, their endorsement is something they are doing based on their own personal self-interest. So, in reality, my endorsement is probably more valuable to you, the reader, than any of these "big" endorsements.

So again, my name is Dave, and I'm endorsing Ron Paul. He's the one Anderson Cooper kept interrupting so that McCain could have more time to prove what a big baby he is.

osa   January 31st, 2008 9:55 pm ET

there has never been a better time fto be a democrat!!!!!!!!!!!!!Obama-clinton ticket will be the best for the world

simone   January 31st, 2008 9:52 pm ET

ASIDE: I hope the election doesn't get to into social issues (gay, abortion). It brings the bigots to the polls. Neither Hillary or Barack need that.

Dick Marti   January 31st, 2008 9:50 pm ET

Who cares what Ted Olson thinks? How is this newsworthy?

gary barbour   January 31st, 2008 9:49 pm ET

and these commercials are FROM THE COAL INDUSTRY...Is the nuclear industry next???

kshegay   January 31st, 2008 9:42 pm ET

why all the commericals given the importance of the debate.

Edo Roshi   January 31st, 2008 9:41 pm ET

Who cares. The entire military-intelligence-congressional-consulting establishment backs McCain. So what else is new. Ted is another "also jump on the boat".

kshegay   January 31st, 2008 9:41 pm ET

shame on cnn.

kshegay   January 31st, 2008 9:40 pm ET

cnn could not hold back on commercials? shame x5

Ben   January 31st, 2008 9:39 pm ET

I don't know hot straight McCain's talk is but that express isn't going to stop in the GOP primary if things like this continue.

Info   January 31st, 2008 9:38 pm ET

Hulk hogan will confirm this Dana

Info   January 31st, 2008 9:38 pm ET

who cares mann...Mac will get Bodied by Obama

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