Washington, DC, superlawyer Bob Barnett dead at 79

Bob Barnett stands in his office in Washington, DC, on October 11, 2000. Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP

Robert Barnett, a Washington, DC, lawyer and dealmaker who represented some of the most notable political figures in the last half century, has died. He was 79.

His death was confirmed to CNN by his wife Rita Braver.

Described by Politico in 2017 as “Washington’s consummate insider,” Barnett helped advise and brokered book deals for figures ranging across the political spectrum — from the Clintons to the Bushes to the Obamas — as well as TV contracts for some of the most notable names in media.

He also worked on 10 national presidential campaigns and often took on a stand-in role for the opponents of candidates he was prepping. He played the role of George H.W. Bush while prepping Dem