President Obama promised during his campaign that lobbyists "won't find a job in my White House."
Here are former lobbyists Obama has tapped for top jobs:
Eric Holder, attorney general nominee, was registered to lobby until 2004 on behalf of clients including Global Crossing, a bankrupt telecommunications firm.
Tom Vilsack, secretary of agriculture nominee, was registered to lobby as recently as last year on behalf of the National Education Association.
William Lynn, deputy defense secretary nominee, was registered to lobby as recently as last year for defense contractor Raytheon, where he was a top executive.
William Corr, deputy health and human services secretary nominee, was registered to lobby until last year for the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, a non-profit that pushes to limit tobacco use.
David Hayes, deputy interior secretary nominee, was registered to lobby until 2006 for clients, including the regional utility San Diego Gas & Electric.
Mark Patterson, chief of staff to Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, was registered to lobby as recently as last year for financial giant Goldman Sachs.
Ron Klain, chief of staff to Vice President Joe Biden, was registered to lobby until 2005 for clients, including the Coalition for Asbestos Resolution, U.S. Airways, Airborne Express and drug-maker ImClone.
Mona Sutphen, deputy White House chief of staff, was registered to lobby for clients, including Angliss International in 2003.
Melody Barnes, domestic policy council director, lobbied in 2003 and 2004 for liberal advocacy groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union, the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, the American Constitution Society and the Center for Reproductive Rights.
Cecilia Munoz, White House director of intergovernmental affairs, was a lobbyist as recently as last year for the National Council of La Raza, a Hispanic advocacy group.
Patrick Gaspard, White House political affairs director, was a lobbyist for the Service Employees International Union.
Michael Strautmanis, chief of staff to the president’s assistant for intergovernmental relations, lobbied for the American Association of Justice from 2001 until 2005.
Originally posted by lepomisObama is up against two virtually insurmountable obstacles to fulfilling his campaign promise to exclude lobbyists from his Administration.
This sort of thing is common and shouldn't bother anyone... I know I don't care. Obama is trying to get things done and sometimes you have to give him some slack. Remember, Dems make rules for the people to follow... rules are not for the elite.
While many folks have received their Scarlet L and won't be coming inside, Obama faces an unprecedented number of urgent crises and has turned to those people who can best hit the ground running and staunch the bleeding.
He is also poorly served by his vetting team, who should have had the good sense to find out about the problems with Richardson and Daschle.
To complain that Washington continues to work as it always has seems like a really bush league kind of observation.
Originally posted by ScriabinIt's all OK. I don't think anyone really cares whether he keeps his promises. After all, what politician does? In addition, I don't thinik he even needs to pay his taxes. After all, judging from the apathy generated regarding people like Geithner and company, I think the American people would understand.
Obama is up against two virtually insurmountable obstacles to fulfilling his campaign promise to exclude lobbyists from his Administration.
While many folks have received their Scarlet L and won't be coming inside, Obama faces an unprecedented number of urgent crises and has turned to those people who can best hit the ground running and staunch the bleed ...[text shortened]... ington continues to work as it always has seems like a really bush league kind of observation.
Originally posted by whodeyIs this the "Hope & Change" he preached to us? Was he not going to set a new standard in DC?
It's all OK. I don't think anyone really cares whether he keeps his promises. After all, what politician does? In addition, I don't thinik he even needs to pay his taxes. After all, judging from the apathy generated regarding people like Geithner and company, I think the American people would understand.
Originally posted by Dace AceTo use an Obamaism: "Look," a lot of us were not Obama supporters. The one thing we did agree on with the Obamaistas was we had to get the Republicans out of power, at least until some sane ones could rise to leadership.
Is this the "Hope & Change" he preached to us? Was he not going to set a new standard in DC?
Campaigns are one thing, governing is quite another.
Which world do you live in: the world that is, or the world you think ought to be, or the world that might have been, only if .... ?
May I suggest that you join us in the world that is and stop posturing like there is something the least bit unusual about campaign rhetoric being exposed as such.
The more interesting thing to debate, of course, is what can everyone agree on to solve the truly massive problems we're facing.
If you want to get incensed and outraged, try to do it over something that matters, not political campaign rhetoric -- very very immature.
For example, while I'm not going to do this because in the world that is it would do absolutely no good and change nothing, one thing I am outraged and incensed about is that I've lost more money than it took me 10 years to save so I could retire when, as now, my health began to fall apart.
I could really use some off time now, while I'm still able to move around, so I could do a few of the things I've always wanted to do but deferred because I thought saving the money and supporting my kids was a more responsible thing to do.
All that money is gone that would have paid for one kid's college education, or semi-annual trips to Europe, the Caribbean, etc.
I didn't go where I had dreamed to play golf on some of the greatest golf courses. And now I can't play golf at all, for I've got a form of arthritis that has made my hands unable to hold a club and my legs unable to walk a course.
So I'll adjust my expectations, my dreams, and deal with the world I live in rather than the world I had thought ought to be available to me now.
I'll adjust to but never recover from the fact that my son, who would have been 27 a few days ago, is dead. So I can't live in the world that might have been, should have been, were he still alive.
So how about trying to come up with something the least bit relevant or interesting to debate instead this foolish, childishness of complaining that politicians don't deliver.
Originally posted by ScriabinFirst of all, I am sad about your son. A parent should never outlive their children.
To use an Obamaism: "Look," a lot of us were not Obama supporters. The one thing we did agree on with the Obamaistas was we had to get the Republicans out of power, at least until some sane ones could rise to leadership.
Campaigns are one thing, governing is quite another.
Which world do you live in: the world that is, or the world you think ought to be, or the world that might have been, only if .... ?
.
I understand what your saying about the different worlds...but...should we not be tired of those that are supposed repersent us saying one thing, and turning around and doing something else. Should we merely vote on the color of canidates eyes, since we expect to be lied too anyways? I refuse to not hold people, regardless at what level, accountable. I realize that I may be doomed a life of charging windmills, but it is the way I am.
Originally posted by ScriabinYawn. If we shouldn't care if a politician doesn't deliver on their promises, then why should we care who represents us at all?
To use an Obamaism: "Look," a lot of us were not Obama supporters. The one thing we did agree on with the Obamaistas was we had to get the Republicans out of power, at least until some sane ones could rise to leadership.
Campaigns are one thing, governing is quite another.
Which world do you live in: the world that is, or the world you think ought to ...[text shortened]... instead this foolish, childishness of complaining that politicians don't deliver.
Like, what's the difference between Livni, Netti, and Barack? I mean, they're all going to lie to us, man. So we might as well just throw darts at the ballot.
Originally posted by MerkSorry to hear that difficult thought processes make you yawn and that you want to be spoon fed.
Yawn. If we shouldn't care if a politician doesn't deliver on their promises, then why should we care who represents us at all?
Like, what's the difference between Livni, Netti, and Barack? I mean, they're all going to lie to us, man. So we might as well just throw darts at the ballot.
Gee, life is such a chore.
Grow up.
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Originally posted by Dace Ace1) Did Obama mean lobbyists working as lobbyists?
President Obama promised during his campaign that lobbyists "won't find a job in my White House."
Here are former lobbyists Obama has tapped for top jobs:
Eric Holder, attorney general nominee, was registered to lobby until 2004 on behalf of clients including Global Crossing, a bankrupt telecommunications firm.
Tom Vilsack, secretary of agricu ...[text shortened]... governmental relations, lobbied for the American Association of Justice from 2001 until 2005.
2) Do any of these nominees have any experience in the proposed office? Did you bother to look that deep into it?
3) Are you not taking into consideration the rules governing White House employees after they leave the White House?
2 edits
Originally posted by ScriabinI'm not the one wanting to be spoonfed. You're the one willing to overlook broken promises and not hold elected officials to expectations.
Sorry to hear that difficult thought processes make you yawn and that you want to be spoon fed.
Gee, life is such a chore.
Grow up.
Edit: Bah, nevermind. You're intractable.
Originally posted by MerkI live in the real world, the world that is.
I'm not the one wanting to be spoonfed. You're the one willing to overlook broken promises and not hold elected officials to expectations.
Edit: Bah, nevermind. You're intractable.
You apparently have all your stock in the world that you think ought to be or is supposed to be.
Which one of us is going to make more on their investment?
Originally posted by Dace Acemaybe he found out that in order to stick to that promise he made he would have to recruit harvard freshmen students, or hire highschool kidz.
President Obama promised during his campaign that lobbyists "won't find a job in my White House."
Here are former lobbyists Obama has tapped for top jobs:
Eric Holder, attorney general nominee, was registered to lobby until 2004 on behalf of clients including Global Crossing, a bankrupt telecommunications firm.
Tom Vilsack, secretary of agricu ...[text shortened]... governmental relations, lobbied for the American Association of Justice from 2001 until 2005.