Robert B. Barnett, a distinguished Washington, DC lawyer, and influential dealmaker, has passed away at the age of 79, as confirmed by his wife, Rita Braver, a veteran CBS journalist. Known for his ability to navigate the complex political landscape of the capital, Barnett made a name for himself by adeptly representing figures across the political spectrum.
Renowned for his work with both Democrats and Republicans, Barnett curated an impressive client list over more than four decades. His work encompassed securing multimillion-dollar deals for some of the most prominent names in American politics, from Hillary Clinton to Sarah Palin, showcasing his unique ability to work with diverse political ideologies.
Barnett was a longtime partner at Williams & Connolly, one of Washington’s leading law firms, and was integral in advising and closing deals for top journalists and commentators with major networks and publishers. His expertise and connections positioned him as a pivotal figure known as “Washington’s consummate insider,” a testament to his insider knowledge and influential connections.
Throughout his career, Barnett played an important role in ten national presidential campaigns, often serving as a stand-in for opposing candidates during debate preparations. Notably, he portrayed George H.W. Bush in 1984 to assist Geraldine Ferraro, and he did so again in 1988 for Michael Dukakis’s campaign. In 1992, Barnett was deeply involved in practice debates with Bill Clinton during both the primaries and the general election. He portrayed Dick Cheney in 2000 to help Joe Lieberman and continued in this role in 2004 for John Edwards’s campaign.
In 2008, Barnett contributed to Hillary Clinton’s primary debate preparations and later assisted Barack Obama after he secured the Democratic nomination, striving to bridge the gap between the Clinton and Obama camps following a tense primary. His efforts to reunite these factions were among his most challenging and crucial tasks.
Returning in 2016 to aid Clinton’s campaign, Barnett impressively stood in for Bernie Sanders during the primaries and Mike Pence during the vice-presidential debate preparations with Tim Kaine.
Born and raised in Illinois, Barnett was a Midwesterner by heritage. He attended the University of Wisconsin and earned his law degree from the University of Chicago. He leaves behind a legacy of over half a century of marriage to Braver, highlighting both his personal and professional devotion. Barnett’s passing marks the end of a remarkable era in political law, leaving behind a lasting impact on the nation’s political and media landscape.