First Disappointment
Obama "softens" position on hiring lobbyists. Or, the con translation: Obama Lied. Again.
Who was so important to Obama to get onto his transition team, that he needed to violate (or soften if you prefer) his oft-stated stance on hiring lobbyists? We don't need this. You know, you don't get a second chance to make a first impression and all that.
On balance I'm more than happy with Obama's efforts so far, but this feeds the con talking heads in a way that is hard to reverse. If Obama never hires another lobbyist in his career, it won't matter. The damage is done. Or am I over reacting? And really, who is it for whom Obama felt he needed to change his position?
Who was so important to Obama to get onto his transition team, that he needed to violate (or soften if you prefer) his oft-stated stance on hiring lobbyists? We don't need this. You know, you don't get a second chance to make a first impression and all that.
On balance I'm more than happy with Obama's efforts so far, but this feeds the con talking heads in a way that is hard to reverse. If Obama never hires another lobbyist in his career, it won't matter. The damage is done. Or am I over reacting? And really, who is it for whom Obama felt he needed to change his position?
Advertisement
I tad over reaction. The problem, you can't turn around in DC without bumping into a current or former lobbyist. And you sure can't hire people who know how the system works, say out of the Clinton Administration without some of them being lobbyist. So reality sort of trumps ideology.
I give the Obama camp credit for creating some separation and firm, very clear guidelines for hires who were or are lobbyist and in fact for all hires.
Is it perfect no, but not sure perfection could happen and still get the best and the brightest.
November 12, 2008 9:47 AM | Reply | Permalink
You are overreacting. There will be more stuff like this throughout his entire time at the WH, so you need to chill. There will be lots of lies and misconceptions about Obama and his administration and there will be times when he makes mistakes. What's disappointing is that his supporters seem to be waiting for him to mess up. Please remember what he has said time and time again: He is not perfect and he will not be a perfect President!
November 12, 2008 12:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
You are beyond overreacting. Good grief. Obama never said he wouldn't hire lobbyists. Never said it once. He has said we need to have stonger regulation of lobbyists. And voila, he announces new rules that are far stricter than any other transition. Not all lobbyists are bad, by the way. Lobbyists for Planned Parenthood are not bad. Lobbyists for kids with autism are not bad. We need to get rid of this knee jerk assumption that all lobbyists are working for sleazy industries.
November 12, 2008 2:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
All good comments... I guess I was overreacting... so is the conservative media, who are loving this stuff. I am having a chuckle at myself for even posting it. Thanks for the reality check. :D
November 12, 2008 4:53 PM | Reply | Permalink