Vernon Jordan, lawyer and D.C. political power broker, dies at 85
Matt Schudel, The Washington Post
March 2, 2021
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Vernon Jordan, left, a confidant of President Bill Clinton's, exits a courthouse in Washington, D.C., after testifying before a grand jury in 1998.Washington Post photo by Robert A. Reeder
Vernon Jordan never held elective office, was never a member of the Cabinet and never even worked for the federal government. He was a lawyer who rarely appeared in court, a corporate kingmaker who was not a registered lobbyist, a political strategist who did not direct a campaign.
Yet Jordan was, for years, one of the most influential figures in Washington. With a commanding presence, personal charm and an inviolable sense of discretion, Jordan had a rare combination of talents that made him the confidant of presidents, congressional leaders, business executives and civil rights figures.