November 12, 2008
Obama team to descend on federal agencies
Lobbyists get cold shoulder in new staffing
Barack Obama has banned lobbyists from his presidential transition team, which starting Monday will drop in on 100 government agencies for extensive reviews, while the president-elect makes Cabinet selections from Chicago.
The Obama team also attempted Tuesday to repair damage after a leak about the first private meeting between Mr. Obama and President Bush. Transition leader John Podesta said he personally called the White House to smooth over matters.
Mr. Podesta also publicly vouched for the administration’s assertion that Mr. Bush had not withheld support for economic aid legislation contingent on the passage of a freetrade deal with Colombia, calling such reports “not accurate.”
Mr. Podesta, who served as White House chief of staff under President Clinton, told reporters at the transition headquarters in Washington that there would be direct talks between Mr. Obama and potential appointees, but hinted that no Cabinet announcements would be made before Thanksgiving.
Going into great detail about the massive and rapidly moving transition, Mr. Podesta said Mr. Obama wants the process to be the most open in history. “These are the strictest ethics rules ever applied,” he said.
[Note to self: In secret meetings, matters discussed are not secret - splash all over newspapers, BUT in next sentence, claim to be adhering to the most strict ethics rules ever conceived of by mortal man.]
The Obama transition team also bars its workers from receiving gifts.
[Note to world - the limit on gifts is $50. Anything more needs to be reported. That can be a box of fruit!]
By the way - when Obamessiah fails and his administration is found to be littered with liars and lobbyists, I do hope Democrats own up to their ... I cannot even conceive of what they should own up to ... being naive? That isn't even close. being stupid and naive, foolish, stupid, and naive? Ok - dangerous, foolish, stupid, and naive!
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