The American Antitrust Institute, a Washington
think-tank devoted to propounding the benefits of competition, is celebrating
its 10-year anniversary with a conference this week. On Wednesday, during a
discussion about merger enforcement, the event began to resemble a stump
speech by presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D.-Ill.
Continue reading below
William Kolasky, a partner at Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale & Dorr LLP, who served as deputy assistant attorney general for antitrust early in the Bush administration, publicly acknowledged his support for Democratic candidate Obama.
Speaking about the need for reinvigorating merger enforcement, especially at the Department of Justice, Kolasky said he felt he was preaching to the choir when he extolled the virtues of competition. A voice in the crowd sang out, "Amen!"
A broadly smiling Kolasky said, "Stand up and say 'Amen,' let's make it sound like Trinity," (a reference to Obama's church, once home to the Rev. Jeremiah Wright).
Democratic insiders say Kolasky is hoping that his conversion to the Democratic Party could result in a federal post. Kolasky himself slipped once, referring to his work for the "Obama administration," which he quickly corrected to "the Obama campaign." - Cecile Kohrs Lindell
See Dealscape: Altman, Hindery line up for Obama
See Dealscape: Would Dems put an end to M&A?
See Dealscape: Wall Street prefers Democrats?
See Dealscape: Icahn blasts Obama at investor conference
See Dealscape: Obama would target big media
See Dealscape: Will Barack Obama replace Kevin Martin with a dealmaker?
