Research Briefing

The White House Is Neither Transparent

Nor Open – Discuss

President Obama: “We will achieve our goal of making this administration the most open and transparent administration in history not only by opening the doors of the White House to more Americans, but by shining a light on the business conducted inside.  Americans have a right to know whose voices are being heard in the policymaking process.” (Press Release, “Statement From The President On The First Time Disclosure Policy For White House Visitor Logs,” The White House, 9/4/09)

WHITE HOUSE OFFICIALS HOLD “HUNDREDS” OF OFF-THE-BOOKS MEETINGS WITH LOBBYISTS

White House Officials Have Met “Hundreds Of Times” With Lobbyists At Coffee Shop Across Street From White House. “Here at the Caribou on Pennsylvania Avenue, and a few other nearby coffee shops, White House officials have met hundreds of times over the last 18 months with prominent K Street lobbyists — members of the same industry that President Obama has derided for what he calls its “outsized influence” in the capital.” (Eric Lichtblau, “Across From White House, Coffee With Lobbyists,” The New York Times, 6/24/10)

Meetings “Reveal A Disconnect Between The Obama Administration’s Public Rhetoric … And The Administration’s Continuing, Private Dealings With Them.” “But because the discussions are not taking place at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, they are not subject to disclosure on the visitors’ log that the White House releases as part of its pledge to be the ‘most transparent presidential administration in history.’ The off-site meetings, lobbyists say, reveal a disconnect between the Obama administration’s public rhetoric — with Mr. Obama himself frequently thrashing big industries’ ‘battalions’ of lobbyists as enemies of reform — and the administration’s continuing, private dealings with them.” (Eric Lichtblau, “Across From White House, Coffee With Lobbyists,” The New York Times, 6/24/10)

Discussed Issues From Wall Street Regulation To Health Care. “On the agenda over espressos and lattes, according to more than a dozen lobbyists and political operatives who have taken part in the sessions, have been front-burner issues like Wall Street regulation, health care rules, federal stimulus money, energy policy and climate control — and their impact on the lobbyists’ corporate clients.” (Eric Lichtblau, “Across From White House, Coffee With Lobbyists,” The New York Times, 6/24/10)

WHITE HOUSE BREAKS PLEDGE OF“UNPRECEDENTED LEVEL OF OPENNESS” – NO BIG WHOOP

President Obama: “My Administration Is Committed To Creating An Unprecedented Level Of Openness In Government.” (President Barack Obama, "Memorandum For The Heads Of Executive Departments And Agencies: Transparency and Open Government," Press Release, 1/21/09)

And His Press Secretary Robert Gibbs Said White House Would Report Contact With Lobbyists “So That People Understand If [The Administration Is] Working On Behalf Of The People's Interest.” “QUESTION: “Does his strategy also involve reminding people the President is the agent of change, and yet it would seem that what is in the way is old Washington ways, partisanship.  Why can't you effect some change in that?” MR. GIBBS:  “Well, we're trying.  But understand, Wendell, that with the presidency does not come the magic wand for changing the way this town works.  You heard the President outline ways that he thinks this town can work better in the State of the Union; that we have to take steps to ensure that foreign corporations can't unduly influence our elections off of what the Supreme Court decided; that contacts with lobbyists are reported more readily so that people understand if you're working on behalf of the people's interest or the special interests.  That's what led us to put online each month the visitors that come into this building for the first time in the history of this country.” (Robert Gibbs, Press Briefing, The White House, 2/16/10)

When Announcing His Campaign For Presidency, Obama Pledged To End Special Interest Access. “Special interests have turned our government into a game only they can afford to play … They get the access while you get to write a letter … The time for that kind of politics is over. It’s through.” (Sen. Barack Obama, Remarks Announcing Campaign For President, Springfield, IL, 2/17/07)

During Campaign, Obama Criticized Special Interests Who “Write The Checks” And “Get The Access.” “‘I know that I haven't spent a lot of time learning the ways of Washington, but I've been there long enough to know that the ways of Washington must change… He added, ‘People who love their country can change it.’… Admitting the tactic is typical of aspiring candidates, Obama promised to overhaul a political system he says is dominated by lobbyists and special interest groups ‘who've turned our government into a game only they can afford to play.’… ‘They write the checks and you get stuck with the bills, they get the access while you get to write a letter, they think they own this government, but we're here today to take it back. The time for that kind of politics is over,’ he said. ‘It's time to turn the page right here and right now.’” (“Obama Declares He's Running For President,” CNN, 2/10/07)