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Wednesday, June 17, 2009 12:00 AM

Obama and transparency: judge for yourself

There are ample facts to assess in determining the authenticity of his pledge for "a new era of transparency"

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  • Wednesday, June 17, 2009 01:05 PM

    Unprecedented openness or upholding precedent?

    White House Press Briefing, 6/16/09

    Q Why would the President have any objection to the public knowing who is coming in here to visit?

    MR. GIBBS: I think we've taken actions to let people know who are. I think again, Peter, this dates back to litigation long before we ever showed up.

    Q Do you think you might have to uphold precedent here, possibly?

    MR. GIBBS: That's part of what's being reviewed by the Counsel's Office.

    http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Briefing-by-White-House-Press-Secretary-Robert-Gibbs-6-16-09/

    This seems to support that...

    The government has already lost two rulings by a federal judge in the case involving White House visitor records during the Bush years. That case was still pending when Obama took office, and his Justice Department has been instructed to continue the fight started by Republicans. The Obama administration is arguing that the White House visitor logs are presidential records, and thus not subject to Freedom of Information Act requests.

    http://www.allgov.com/ViewNews/Obama_to_Keep_White_House_Visitor_List_Secret__Just_Like_Bush_90617

    I don't think Obama's definition of transparency is my definition of transparency. His seems to be that it's okay to keep secrets as long as one is open about it.

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