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Viveca: Friend of Luskin's, Source or Both?

By Jeralyn, Section Media
Posted on Sun Dec 04, 2005 at 03:34:05 PM EST
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John Amato of Crooks and Liars has a few questions over at Huffington Post for David Corn who reported on December 2 that Viveca Novak and Robert Luskin were friends, but wrote a day later that Viveca was just a source for Luskin.

I agree that Corn's article yesterday was just a Viveca puff-piece and disappointing. It also didn't solve any mysteries.

When friendship conflicts with reporting, it's not enough to state that you happen to know the person you are writing about. It's important that you also state your bias. Here are some examples from when I've been in that situation:

On Tom DeLay:

I just found out that Tom DeLay has got himself the best lawyer in Texas and one of the best trial lawyers in the country - Houston's Dick DeGuerin.....Dick has also been a very good friend of mine for 20 years.

That means I'll be reporting the news on the case and analyzing it legally, but I won't be slamming DeLay any more. Sorry, folks, but loyalty is loyalty. Just thought I'd be up front about it. Of course, TChris and Last Night in Little Rock are welcome to slam DeLay all they want.

On Bernie Kerik:

Kerik's lawyer is Joe Tacopina, a long-time friend of mine. Personal loyalty wins, so TalkLeft may be out of the Kerik-bashing business. Unless the story gets really big.

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    • Viveca: Friend of Luskin's, Source or Both? | 7 comments (7 topical)
    Re: Viveca: Friend of Luskin's, Source or Both? (none / 0) (#1)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:06:39 PM EST
    How do you lawyerly types get psyched up to defend someone you'd otherwise consider a scumbag? How could Luskin, for example, as a democrat, bear to defend this guy who does more damage to democracy every minute he stays in power? I mean, I understand that the concept of "everyone has the right to a fair trial" is more important than any given case, but it nauseates me just to think of putting myself in the position of trying to use my skills to help Rove or DeLay. Is DeGuerin himself a right winger?

    Re: Viveca: Friend of Luskin's, Source or Both? (none / 0) (#2)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:06:40 PM EST
    DeGuerin is no right winger. He's a Democrat. He also represented Republican Kay Baily Hutchison and won. Politics do not factor into defense lawyers' professional commitments. For us, it's about the charges, the evidence, the available defenses, the right of every person to the best defense possible and holding the prosecution to its burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. We don't judge our clients. We defend them to the best of our abilities, regardless of the crime they are alleged to have committed or their politics.

    Re: Viveca: Friend of Luskin's, Source or Both? (none / 0) (#3)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:06:40 PM EST
    Well, life is more interesting in shades of grey than black and white. It's only since Bush came along that I've found myself returning to the black & white view. I find myself despising anyone who has anything to do with them. I guess I'm a casualty of the polarization of America. I hope Rove doesn't hire one of your friends if Luskin gets indicted! We need your continued brilliant analyses.

    Re: Viveca: Friend of Luskin's, Source or Both? (none / 0) (#4)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:06:40 PM EST
    Thank you Obsessed, and I hope so too.

    Re: Viveca: Friend of Luskin's, Source or Both? (none / 0) (#5)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:06:40 PM EST
    attorneys do get to choose the work they will do. they are free to take into consideration whether their work will compromise their ethics, politicals views, or whatever else they deem important. i know my personal set of ethical considerations dominates my consideration of the work i'll do, lawyer though i may be.

    Re: Viveca: Friend of Luskin's, Source or Both? (none / 0) (#6)
    by joejoejoe on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:06:40 PM EST
    For us, it's about the charges, the evidence, the available defenses, the right of every person to the best defense possible and holding the prosecution to its burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
    Jeralyn, how do you feel when you are in court againt a weak prosecutor? What are your feelings about cases where the defense attorney is weak and/or without resources? I support the adversarial system of our courts but I wonder if those participating based on that ethic ever have second thoughts based on the imbalance of resources or ability in a given case. If a given prosecutor or defense attorney is poor is justice vindicated? OT: I love the buttons on your blog comments and coding guide. I wish more blogs would use them.

    Re: Viveca: Friend of Luskin's, Source or Both? (none / 0) (#7)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Feb 25, 2006 at 11:48:20 AM EST
    Who is good friends with Tacopina? I am currently a law student. And really think he is the man. What is his trick? What is the key to his success? Has anyone seen him in court? I would love to hear about it.

    Viveca: Friend of Luskin's, Source or Both? | 7 comments (7 topical)