Clifford, Clark

▪ 1999

      American lawyer (b. Dec. 25, 1906, Fort Scott, Kan.—d. Oct. 10, 1998, Bethesda, Md.), was a knowledgeable and savvy adviser to four U.S. Democratic presidents and as such served a number of public and private interests. After graduating (1928) with a degree in law from Washington University, St. Louis, Mo., Clifford began work as an attorney. During World War II he enlisted in the navy and served as an aide to Pres. Harry S. Truman. Clifford became special counsel to the president in 1946, and in that capacity he assisted in the formulation of the Truman Doctrine, created the whistle-stop campaign that helped Truman win the 1948 election, and was instrumental in persuading Truman to recognize the nation of Israel. In 1950 he left politics to open a law firm and was reportedly the first Washington lawyer to achieve a million-dollar income. He was John F. Kennedy's attorney while the latter was still a senator, and Kennedy continued to seek his advice during his campaign and presidency. Clifford returned to government in 1968 to become Pres. Lyndon B. Johnson's secretary of defense, a post that he occupied for less than a year. One significant action during his brief tenure was to advise the president to commence action to end the war in Vietnam. His guidance was also sought by Pres. Jimmy Carter, who consulted Clifford regarding difficulties involving his budget director. In his later years Clifford was plagued by accusations of involvement in the Bank of Credit and Commerce International scandal, although he denied any misconduct.

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