Ex-RNC Chair Mehlman Joins Firm Started By Ex-DNC Chair

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- Former Democratic National Committee Chairman Bob Strauss says he's "delighted" the political operative and Harvard Law grad who helped put George W. Bush and Dick Cheney in power is now a partner at Akin Gump, the law and lobbying firm Strauss founded in the 1940s. Strauss stressed bipartisanship in announcing recently departed RNC Chair Ken Mehlman was coming aboard. And the firm said he would specialize in solving "challenges" facing clients in the legislative, regulatory and public relations arenas.

"As a former chairman of the Democratic National Committee, I am delighted that Ken Mehlman, former chairman of the Republican National Committee, will be back at Akin Gump. We are a diversified and bipartisan firm, and Ken fits in perfectly," Strauss said in a statement from Washington.

Mehlman: "I look forward to working some of the world's best lawyers to develop some of the most creative and effective solutions to solve problems at the nexus of business and public policy."

Mehlman became RNC chair in 2005. For two years, he was the party's national spokesman and public face. He moved into national politics in 2000 as field director for Bush, where he organized the Iowa caucuses. He then became White House political director. In 2003--04, he was the campaign manager for the president's reelection campaign.

Background on Akin Gump is HERE.