Tonight, Barack Obama said, “To close that credibility gap we must take action on both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue to end the outsized influence of lobbyists; to do our work openly; and to give our people the government they deserve.
“That’s what I came to Washington to do. That’s why – for the first time in history – my Administration posts our White House visitors online. And that’s why we’ve excluded lobbyists from policy-making jobs or seats on federal boards and commissions.”
Maybe this explains why his national security policies are so weak. He put William Lynn in the Pentagon as Deputy Defense Secretary. Mr. Lynn was a lobbyist for Defense Contractor Ratheon. I guess the Deputy Defense Secretary is not a policy-making job.
- Eric Holder, attorney general nominee, was registered to lobby until 2004 on behalf of clients including Global Crossing, a bankrupt telecommunications firm [now confirmed].
- 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.
KnightsofMalta
Steve Maley
Caleb Howe
Obama Lied. Jobs Died.
6eorge Jetson (Diary) Wednesday, January 27th at 10:37PM EST (link)nt
Character is not the main issue
olsmithie (Diary) Wednesday, January 27th at 10:45PM EST (link)It is the only issue.
Jesse James also surrounded himself with persons of his own character.
Regards
Jesse James Character
crazymountain Friday, January 29th at 2:10AM EST (link)At least Jesse James HAD character. Obama has NONE. I have never met anyone in my 58 years on this planet who lies as much as Obama does. If anyone in this country thinks Obama has a capacity for truth, they have been bought off.
I see your 58 and raise you 4.
edwlstr Sunday, January 31st at 5:00PM EST (link)Consider this statement? They lie for they are of their father, and when they lie they speak their native tongue for their father is the father of lies. And his name is Abaddon.
That was quick. nt
Flagstaff (Diary) Wednesday, January 27th at 10:47PM EST (link)“The press is so powerful in its image-making role that it can make a criminal look like he’s the victim and make the victim look like he’s the criminal. If you aren’t careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people who are being oppressed and loving the people who are doing the oppressing.”– Malcolm X, Audubon Ballroom, December 13, 1964
How to drain the swamp of lobbyists
DerKrieger (Diary) Wednesday, January 27th at 11:02PM EST (link)1. Eliminate the corporate income tax.
2. Stop meddling in the free market
“In questions of power, let no more be heard of confidence in man, but bind him down from mischief by the chains of the Constitution.” – Thomas Jefferson
“I cannot undertake to lay my finger on that article of the Constitution which granted a right to Congress of expending, on objects of benevolence, the money of their constituents.” – James Madison
Whenever the legislators endeavor to take away and destroy the property of the people, or to reduce them to slavery under arbitrary power, they put themselves into a state of war with the people, who are thereupon absolved from any further obedience.” — John Locke, 1690
3. kill all the lawyers
kyle8 (Diary) Wednesday, January 27th at 11:04PM EST (link)and lobbyists
“Nothing works like freedom, Nothing succeeds like liberty”
Kyle
how to make the biggest change - eliminate payroll withholding
bk (Diary) Thursday, January 28th at 7:58PM EST (link)Let people start having to write separate checks every month or every quarter for federal income tax, Social Security tax, Medicare tax, and (if applicable) state and/or local income taxes.
We’d see people ready to burn down Congress.
Tomorrow's Headline:
PaladinLostHour (Diary) Wednesday, January 27th at 11:06PM EST (link)“Petulant Affirmative Action Baby Throw Temper Tantrum in Public”
He got hissed at.....
NeoKong (Diary) Wednesday, January 27th at 11:08PM EST (link)When he said it was time to end the influence of lobbyists because he was so damn hypocritical.
He insulted everybody.
He insulted the Supreme Court right in front of them to their face over the McCain- Feingold thing. They didn’t seem to like it.
He insulted Tea Partiers when he talked about the angry mood in America. He insulted the Republicans by accusing them of always saying no when they were deliberately left out of the debate.
I howled when he talked about transparency after nobody has even read his healthcare bill or the stimulus package and how they had to vote on it at midnight.
He talked about enforcing civil rights legislation but didn’t mention how the Justice Dept. let the Black Panthers off the hook.
He called the Bush administration the lost decade.
He said how he was going to end the war in Iraq when the war has been over for a year. I think last month they didn’t have a single American casualty.
He talked about the rights of Iranians when he couldn’t even condemn the brutality foisted upon Iranian demonstrators.
I guess the big spending freeze doesn’t even happen this year.
He used a lot of strawmen arguments about how all these people kept telling him he couldn’t do this or that then criticized his own boogey men.
I’m pretty sure that most of his anecdotes of people who write him letters were made up.
Not a very good speech.
I would swear at one moment the cameras panned to John McCain leaning over to Lindsey Graham saying the a-hole word.
Where was Hillary…..?
Conspicuously absent.
Follow me on Twitter.
I McLooser leaned over and said "Blameing Bush again.
gekster (Diary) Wednesday, January 27th at 11:16PM EST (link)They say Republicans are for the rich, Democrats are for the poor.
If they need more voters,
then they have to make more of who they are for.
We are there in the various Tea Party groups, leaderless, but not rudderless.
We steer always toward the Constitutional principles this nation was founded upon.
Erick Brockway
Ok folks, 2012 is here. Get involved
sorry: I think McLooser leaned....
gekster (Diary) Wednesday, January 27th at 11:18PM EST (link)over and said “Blameing Bush again.
They say Republicans are for the rich, Democrats are for the poor.
If they need more voters,
then they have to make more of who they are for.
We are there in the various Tea Party groups, leaderless, but not rudderless.
We steer always toward the Constitutional principles this nation was founded upon.
Erick Brockway
Ok folks, 2012 is here. Get involved
When he mentioned freeze he also mentioned jobs bill.
antisocial (Diary) Wednesday, January 27th at 11:24PM EST (link)So that BS is already accounted for.
Obama Doctrine – Boot On The Throat
—————————–
What is to be done?
——————————
No. You can’t – Moe Lane
——————————
The Emperor has no clothes!!!
What's the expiration date on that promise....?
NeoKong (Diary) Wednesday, January 27th at 11:29PM EST (link)A year from now is like forever.
There is no way he will keep that promise.
Follow me on Twitter.
Spending freeze is not happening. That promise is just cheap talk.
antisocial (Diary) Wednesday, January 27th at 11:42PM EST (link)BHO’s 2012 campaign started tonight.
Obama Doctrine – Boot On The Throat
—————————–
What is to be done?
——————————
No. You can’t – Moe Lane
——————————
The Emperor has no clothes!!!
Not for at least a year......
NeoKong (Diary) Wednesday, January 27th at 11:53PM EST (link)That’s for sure.
But a year later who will hold him to it?
I agree.
Empty promise.
Follow me on Twitter.
"Spending Freeze" will happen....
furious (Diary) Thursday, January 28th at 12:44AM EST (link),,,right after “Gitmo is closed”.
You can bank on it.
–furious
“I find your lack of faith disturbing.” — Darth Vader
He did mentioned a jobs bill. Didn't he do that already?
gekster (Diary) Wednesday, January 27th at 11:48PM EST (link)And the freeze. Not untill 2011.
Geeze. I’m in Michigan and I’m freezing now.
I’d say LOL, but in Michigan it ain’t.
They say Republicans are for the rich, Democrats are for the poor.
If they need more voters,
then they have to make more of who they are for.
We are there in the various Tea Party groups, leaderless, but not rudderless.
We steer always toward the Constitutional principles this nation was founded upon.
Erick Brockway
Ok folks, 2012 is here. Get involved
5 nt
olsmithie (Diary) Wednesday, January 27th at 11:36PM EST (link)Hillary is in London
sharonmcp (Diary) Wednesday, January 27th at 11:55PM EST (link)Unlike big O, at least she’s earning her paycheck trying to figure out how to keep al-Qaeda in Yemen in check.
btw, did you see that Hillary said she can’t imagine herself being SOS for a second term?
http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2010/01/clinton-suggests-shes-a-oneterm-secretary-of-state.html
“Above all, we must realize that no arsenal, or no weapon in the arsenals of the world, is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women.” ~ Ronald Reagan
Did Alito Mouth "Not True" On Camera?
Ausonius (Diary) Thursday, January 28th at 8:15AM EST (link)A blogger for the NY TImes thinks so, and is also shocked by the insult:
See:
http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/27/justice-alitos-reaction/
The Scolding of The Union: the continuation of the War On Business and The Teach America A Lesson Train keep rollin’ out the good times!
Ausonius: 310-395 A.D. Teacher, Poet, Consul, General, Farmer.
Personal Tutor to the future St. Paulinus of Nola and to young Gratian, heir to the throne during the turbulent final years of the Western Roman Empire. When his former student Gratian was assassinated, Ausonius threw up his hands and retired to his farm in Gaul. Rome was captured by barbarians 14 years after his death.
Cato@rock.com
Yes He Did!!!
scubadiver49er Thursday, January 28th at 9:41AM EST (link)Hannity replayed it last night. Also caught Harrry Reid falling asleep!!! Barry must be working him too hard in his push to ge a “Healthcare Bill” passed!!!
“I Just Can’t Wait to be King” – Simba from “The Lion King”, 1994
Barry Soetoro – ???
Did Alito Mouth "Not True" On Camera?
Ausonius (Diary) Thursday, January 28th at 8:15AM EST (link)A blogger for the NY TImes thinks so, and is also shocked by the insult:
See:
http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/27/justice-alitos-reaction/
The Scolding of The Union: the continuation of the War On Business and The Teach America A Lesson Train keep rollin’ out the good times!
Ausonius: 310-395 A.D. Teacher, Poet, Consul, General, Farmer.
Personal Tutor to the future St. Paulinus of Nola and to young Gratian, heir to the throne during the turbulent final years of the Western Roman Empire. When his former student Gratian was assassinated, Ausonius threw up his hands and retired to his farm in Gaul. Rome was captured by barbarians 14 years after his death.
Cato@rock.com
How to drain the swamp of lobbyists II
DerKrieger (Diary) Wednesday, January 27th at 11:13PM EST (link)Triple the salaries of all our Congress critters and limit their legislative session to 3 months per year.
“In questions of power, let no more be heard of confidence in man, but bind him down from mischief by the chains of the Constitution.” – Thomas Jefferson
“I cannot undertake to lay my finger on that article of the Constitution which granted a right to Congress of expending, on objects of benevolence, the money of their constituents.” – James Madison
Whenever the legislators endeavor to take away and destroy the property of the people, or to reduce them to slavery under arbitrary power, they put themselves into a state of war with the people, who are thereupon absolved from any further obedience.” — John Locke, 1690
How Do You Know When Obama's Lying?
IJB Wednesday, January 27th at 11:20PM EST (link)When his lips are moving.
How can you tell when Obama Lies?
greggoulas Thursday, January 28th at 9:00AM EST (link)The tele-promper is turned on and his lips are moving. Does the President of this Nation even have a thought of his own??? Maybe he is not a good orator but just a good reader?
A Good Reader
scubadiver49er Thursday, January 28th at 9:43AM EST (link)So that’s what he was teaching those 6th Graders!!!!! How to read from a teleprompter!!!!!
“I Just Can’t Wait to be King” – Simba from “The Lion King”, 1994
Barry Soetoro – ???
Sarah Palin on Sean Hannity.
joayn (Diary) Wednesday, January 27th at 11:54PM EST (link)She said the fact checkers will be busy tonight about Obama’s lobbyist fantasy thingy – she said exactly the same thing, Erick.
Let’s see what the MSM does with this.
America is an idea; a noble idea that essentially boils down to the shocking belief that the masses are in fact not asses. John Nolte
Not only did he lie
sharonmcp (Diary) Thursday, January 28th at 12:02AM EST (link)I think he’s going to pay a price in the polls for his obviously non-bipartisan tone towards the Republicans and his intentional embarrassment of the Supreme Court Justices..
“Above all, we must realize that no arsenal, or no weapon in the arsenals of the world, is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women.” ~ Ronald Reagan
Arizona. $99 million.
Flagstaff (Diary) Thursday, January 28th at 12:40AM EST (link)Created 50 “permanent” “green” jobs.
That’s $1.98 million per job. Can I have one? I’ll move.
“The press is so powerful in its image-making role that it can make a criminal look like he’s the victim and make the victim look like he’s the criminal. If you aren’t careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people who are being oppressed and loving the people who are doing the oppressing.”– Malcolm X, Audubon Ballroom, December 13, 1964
Well, they're not lobbyists ANYMORE...nt.
furious (Diary) Thursday, January 28th at 12:42AM EST (link)–furious
“I find your lack of faith disturbing.” — Darth Vader
Was this a Last Minute Addition?
edintexas Thursday, January 28th at 10:25AM EST (link)I ran through 2 supposed transcripts of the speech, and could not find “board” in either one, and “commission” only in relation to finances. Either the “find” function wasn’t working properly, or this was a last minute addition to the speech which wasn’t in the transcript released to the press.
Obviously I didn’t waste my time listening/watching Dear Leader deliver the teleprompter’s stump speech.
boy did he lie
sarge324 Thursday, January 28th at 7:03AM EST (link)he is coming out fighting.american people aways win with their vote.and by the way if he created 2 million jobs wouldnt it effect the10%unemployment.the people of america are being lied to.this speech is a loser,to the marxist in the white house.the people vote you out.stay mad in 2010 then in 2012 lets take our great country back.
"The Great Deceiver"
olddog Thursday, January 28th at 12:30PM EST (link)is how I once heard him described as, he keeps denigrating the tea party movement, at times referring to them as Tea-baggers, some smart spin guy, could find a way to make that into a positive.. … connotation, of the tea party.
He keeps saying what he’s doing for us , but its what he’s doing to us, shredding the constitution, belittling the supreme court etc..he says he feels our pain, the guy lives like royalty, how is that feeling our pain.
Be very aware, his ultimate plan, is to destroy the economy, to remake America, and with his hit-men in Congress, he’s succeeding so far.
Fascism is an ugly word, but, it is where we are headed, by the Webster dictionary’s interpretation.
Support our Troops, they are doing a great job, under difficult rules of engagement..1
One Old Dog
To be fair, only 1 of those 12 is a violation.
legalizeit Thursday, January 28th at 6:59PM EST (link)“No political appointees in an Obama-Biden administration will be permitted to work on regulations or contracts directly and substantially related to their prior employer for two years. And no political appointee will be able to lobby the executive branch after leaving government service during the remainder of the administration.”
William Lynn is the only violation I see. The rest have either been more than 2 years ago, or are in positions that have nothing to do with their previous employers.
That being said, I would like to see that 2 years stretched to 5 or more years, at least. And most importantly, actually followed. There was only 1 violation, but it was a big one.
So hold me, Mom, in your long arms.
Your petrochemical arms. Your military arms.
In your electronic arms.
Are we SURPRISED!?
bacchus_2006 Thursday, January 28th at 8:01PM EST (link)Gathering we must on a Yale Degree that tells certain ELITES they are smarter than the average “Joe the Plumber” — and that the great “unwashed” Middle Class are CLUELESS as to what is best for us. Reminds me of that one time when a Harvard Grad had to call upon a Blue Collar “unwash” to find his dip stick to check oil level on a car!
I may be a little short of math on torsion physics, quantum leaps into time/space continuum theories … but there resides a little bit of KNOWING how to survive WITHOUT the Government telling me how much salt is healthy for me!
We had Political Correctness … now we have Scientific Correctness telling us to hold onto our farts long enough to ration our contribution to Global … whatever it is called today!
Now Mr. “O” says … the Middle Class is suffering?
For a person sitting HIGH on the Political throne, there sure is a lack of understanding of how his servants feel! [Let them eat cake!!]. But betting on the “honesty” of the Main Stream Media — is it any wonder that truth gets buried?
Shame on those people who are “politically correct” and like mindless zombies OBEY what the MSM considers the “best medicine” for us!
As for me … I RESENT being called a “BAGGER” — I served 20 years in the US Navy and I have SWORN AN OATH of allegiance to preserve, protect and DEFEND our Constitution — yet I have had frothing Liberals still call me a “Baby Killer”. Those glassy eyed zombies who never considered putting on a uniform to preserve their very rights to …. mouth off.
My Father served with Patton … and those farmers, grocers, bag boys, shoe salesmen — and the women who stayed behind working in factories — allowed many GIs to come home.
What the Sam H.ll happened to America?
HOW did such an unqualified individual get so far?
PROGRESSIVE EDUCATION!!
NOW we have DISRESPECT for the Supreme Court?
Stay tuned! It will get better!