Rogan leaving Patent Office

LA Daily News ^ | 12/10/03 | Lisa Friedman

[NormsRevenge]

James E. Rogan, who represented parts of the San Fernando Valley in Congress before losing in one of the most expensive House races in history, announced Tuesday he will leave his Commerce Department post and return to Southern California.

Rogan has served as the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office undersecretary since 2001. He intends to leave Jan. 9, but said he does not know where in Southern California he will live.

In a telephone interview Tuesday, Rogan -- who represented a Burbank-Pasadena district for two terms -- said he plans to complete his autobiography, "Rough Edges," about "what it was like to go from being the illegitimate son of a convicted felon ... and end up in politics as a Republican."

The book, published by HarperCollins, is due out next summer.

Rogan says his book includes only a passing mention of his role as one of the 13 House managers to prosecute the impeachment trial of President Clinton -- a performance that led to the congressman's being targeted for defeat in 2000.

"When people heard I was writing a book, that's what they thought it was about, and it isn't," he said.

But Rogan's book does relate the story of being urged into politics by a young Bill Clinton, then the attorney general of Arkansas.

"I just throw that in the beginning of the book for irony, but it's not an impeachment book. In fact, the book ends when I first get elected to Congress," Rogan said.

Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Pasadena, defeated Rogan in an election that set a new record for congressional campaign spending. The opponents raised more than $10 million, and Rogan alone spent $6.8 million.

As USPTO undersecretary, Rogan spearheaded a legislative initiative aimed at bolstering the quality of the patent-review process by improving the agency's operations and by using higher application fees to increase the number of examiners.

As for plans to run for office in the future, Rogan said, "It's possible. It's always possible."

[what's up]

If I remember correctly, Rogan was a judge. Lord knows they could use a few good ones of those in CA.

[Wally_Kalbacken]

Good fellow with a bad hairpiece.

[Ol' Dan Tucker]

Rogan's a good man. One of the few politicians who actually put principle ahead of politics.

He knew that what he was doing (Impeachment) would probably cost him his seat, but went ahead and did it anyway because it was the right thing to do.

Here's a Republican I can respect.

[OldFriend]

He was voted out by those clinton lovers who abhored the impeachment process.

[Carry_Okie]

It will have been three years since I applied for patent, and I have yet to see a first office action.

[Atlas Sneezed]

As USPTO undersecretary, Rogan spearheaded a legislative initiative aimed at bolstering the quality of the patent-review process by improving the agency's operations and by using higher application fees to increase the number of examiners.

---

Bulls***!

Congress steals a large fraction of PTO fees (the "innovation tax".) He would have done better to require English literacy by patent examiners.

[Atlas Sneezed]

It will have been three years since I applied for patent, and I have yet to see a first office action.

---

Lemme guess... a software/Internet innovation? (BTW, you can call the PTO for a status update.)

[snopercod]

James Rogan was a congressman from the 27th district, and one of the house managers during the clinton impeachment. He lost his job for his courageous stand. See his picture here:

Support our House Managers - Patriots and Politics dot com

For even more history, go [here]

[Poohbah]

Wasn't he the guy who came up with that baldness remedy? (c8

[what's up]

I know this...my point is, he was a judge before he was a congressman. I'm wondering if he's considering going back into that line of work.

[The Westerner]

I guess he's been a bit busy with finishing his book. Maybe the next guy will take a look at your patent:)

[RJCogburn]

Thanks for that. He is an impeachment hero.

[snopercod]

That's a stone fact.