Guide Note: Since 1970, James Addison Baker III has been an active figure in American politics and the Republican Party, a career highlighted by his tenure as Secretary of State from 1989 to 1992. He has also served as Secretary of the Treasury and White House Chief of Staff, and co-chaired the Iraq Study Group commisioned by Congress in 2006 to assess US policy in Iraq.

Baker is a longtime friend and associate of President George H. W. Bush. Their professional affiliation goes back to Bush's unsuccessful 1970 Texas Senate campaign, which Baker managed.

Baker has been controversial on both sides of the ideological spectrum. Much criticism of Baker has come from the left—particularly for his role aiding the George W. Bush 2000 presidential campaign in efforts to halt vote counts in Florida, as well as his alleged financial interests in Iraq. However, his later career has also been marked by criticism from fellow Republicans. He was targeted in 2006 for the relatively dove-ish conclusions of his Iraq Study Group, and in 2008 for joining four other former Secretaries of State to call for the closing of the Guantanamo Bay prison camp. Fast Facts:

Born April 28, 1930, in Houston, TX
Originally a Democrat
Graduated from Princeton, 1952
Served as Marine, 1952-1954
Law degree from University of Texas, 1957
Under Secretary of Commerce, 1975-1976
White House Chief of Staff, 1981-1985
61st Secretary of State, 1989-1992
Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom, 1991
Co-chaired Iraq Study Group, 2006

Presidents Served:

Gerald Ford
Ronald Reagan
George H. W. Bush
George W. Bush

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News | Politics | Political Appointees

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James Baker

The Mahalo Top 7

The Washington Post: A Path to Common Ground, By James baker (April 5, 2007)
YouTube: Charlie Rose Interviews James Baker (Time: 56:44)
The Nation: James Baker's Double Life: A Special Investigation, By Naomi Klein (October 12, 2004)
US State Department: James Addison Baker III Biography
Washington Monthly: James Baker Puts Bush's Iraq Policy into Rehab (September 2006)
Associated Press: 5 Ex-Chief Diplomats: Close Guantanamo (March 27, 2008)
YouTube: Ali G Interview with James Baker (Time: 3:07)
- - James Baker interviewed by Ali G (Sacha Baron Cohen)

James Baker Recent News

Google News: James Baker
Topix.net: James Baker
Associated Press: 5 Ex-Chief Diplomats: Close Guantanamo (March 27, 2008)
- "It gives us a very, very bad name, not just internationally," [Baker] said. "I have a great deal of difficulty understanding how we can hold someone, pick someone up, particularly someone who might be an American citizen — even if they were caught somewhere abroad, acting against American interests — and hold them without ever giving them an opportunity to appear before a magistrate."
The Washington Post: James Baker Backs McCain (February 28, 2008)
CBS News: James Baker to Endorse McCain (February 28, 2008)
CBS News: James Baker's New Test in Diplomacy (December 6, 2006)

James Baker Background and Profiles

US State Department: James Addison Baker III Biography
Baker Institute for Public Policy: James A. Baker III, Honorary Chair
Wikipedia: James Baker

James Baker Blogs and Commentaries

Perrspectives James Baker: Bush's Mr. Fix It Goes to Iraq (April 24, 2006)
Politico: James Baker to endorse McCain (February 28, 2008)
Washington Monthly: James Baker Puts Bush's Iraq Policy into Rehab (September 2006)
The New York Times: Is You Wicked?, By Maureen Dowd (May 7, 2003)

James Baker Photos

Google Images: James Baker
Flickr: James Baker tags

James Baker Videos

YouTube: Charlie Rose Interviews James Baker (Time: 56:44)
YouTube: Ali G Interviews James Baker (Time: 3:07)

James Baker Criticism and Controversy

The Nation: James Baker's Double Life: A Special Investigation, By Naomi Klein (October 12, 2004)
Slate: Look Who's Cutting and Running Now, By Christopher Hitchens (November 20, 2006)
Slate: James Baker, The Bush Family Janitor (November 17, 2000)
SourceWatch: James Addison Baker III
Gateway Pundit: Has Iran Infiltrated the Baker "Iraq Study Group"? (November 14, 2006)

James Baker Satire and Humor

Cartoonist Group: Iraq Study Group Cartoons
YouTube: Ali G Interview with James Baker (Time: 3:07)

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