Ex-Clinton Backer: Graham Can Work McCain Against Tort Reform

by Josh Gerstein
Tue, 2 Sep 2008 at 6:38 PM

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A prominent trial lawyer who is endorsing Senator McCain's campaign after backing Senator Clinton during the Democratic primary, John Coale, says opponents of tort reform should be able to "work things out" with the presumptive Republican nominee, despite his promises to champion the issue.

Mr. Coale, who is close to President Clinton and Senator Clinton and traveled with them during the primary season, said the key to moderating Mr. McCain's position on tort reform will be harnessing one of his best friends in Congress, Senator Graham of South Carolina.
"Lindsey Graham, who is very close to John McCain has voted against tort reform for a long time," Mr. Coale said in response to a question from The New York Sun. "As a trial lawyer, we consider Lindsey Graham one of us. He has influence with John McCain and one of the really good things about John McCain is he will listen."
Speaking at a news conference to showcase Democrats supporting the presumptive Republican nominee, Mr. Coale said he thought Mr. McCain could be pulled to the center on the issue, with Mr. Graham's help.
"I think that we can work things out," Mr. Coale said. "Tort reform is an issue that—it's almost like guns. It's either you're over here or you're over there. It's never brought into the middle and really discussed, the need for some tort reform that doesn't wipe the system out. I'm optimistic, especially with Graham around."
Mr. Coale was a key player in the $246 billion tobacco settlement negotiated in 1998. He was also a regular visitor to the White House to discuss federal aspects of the deal. During those visits he was often accompanied by an attorney who is a brother of Mrs. Clinton, Hugh Rodham.
In the 2000 campaign, Mr. Coale told The New York Times that he considered the election as president of then-Governor Bush of Texas was a "very, very horrifying" prospect for trial lawyers. Mr. McCain has a similar stance to Mr. Bush on reining in lawsuits and has promised in te current campaign to "lead the fight for medical liability reform."
Mr. Coale, who announced his defection to Mr. McCain yesterday in an interview with Tamara Haddad of Newsweek, strongly suggested today that one reason he jumped on board is that Senator Obama has campaigned dishonestly.
"It comes down to one thing and one thing only, this election, it's integrity. I don't even believe it's issues any more. We need someone in the White House who has integrity. John McCain is everything that Barack Obama tells us he is and Barack is not," Mr. Coale said. He also declared that Mr. McCain's "campaign is above the board, not below the board." The trial lawyer, who has signed on with a group called Citizens for McCain, did not say specifically why he questioned Mr. Obama's integrity.

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