Research Briefing

Obama Is Receiving An Award For Transparancy In Government, But Why? 

“Later In The Afternoon, The President Will Accept An Award From A Coalition Of Good Government Groups And Transparency Advocates In Conjunction With Sunshine Week, On Transparency In Government.” (Sunlen Miller, “The Presidential Planner,” ABC News’ “Political Punch” Blog, 3/16/11)

FOR HIDING INFORMATION FROM THE AMERICAN PEOPLE?

The Associated Press: “Promises, Promises: Little Transparency Progress.” (“Promises, Promises: Little Transparency Progress,” The Associated Press, 3/14/11)

The Obama Administration Responded To Fewer FOIA Requests, Despite More Inquiries. “Two years into its pledge to improve government transparency, the Obama administration took action on fewer requests for federal records from citizens, journalists, companies and others last year even as significantly more people asked for information.” (“Promises, Promises: Little Transparency Progress,” The Associated Press, 3/14/11)

Obama Even Censored Emails About His Open Government Directive. “The Obama administration censored 194 pages of internal e-mails about its Open Government Directive that the AP requested more than one year ago. The December 2009 directive requires every agency to take immediate, specific steps to open their operations up to the public. But the White House Office of Management and Budget blacked-out entire pages of some e-mails between federal employees discussing how to apply the new openness rules, and it blacked-out one e-mail discussing how to respond to AP's request for information about the transparency directive.” (“Promises, Promises: Little Transparency Progress,” The Associated Press, 3/14/11)

FOR AVOIDING THE PRESS?

“Obama, It Seems, Does Not Like The Uncontrolled Q&A.” (Julie Mason, “Obama’s Leeriness Of The Press,” Politico, 3/2/11)

• “It Goes To Accountability” As Leaders “Should Explain, Defend And Answer Questions” About Their Policies.” “Why Should You Care? It Goes To Accountability. “It's not enough for leaders to emote about policy. They should explain, defend and answer questions, as well. Grappling with the unscripted news media encounter is a good skill for politicians.” (Julie Mason, “Obama’s Leeriness Of The Press,” Politico, 3/2/11)

Obama Has Done Fewer Than Half Of The Small Q&A Sessions That His Predecessors Had Done By This Point In Their Presidencies. “Obama so far has endured just 75 short question-and-answer sessions with the press, according to Towson University political science professor Martha Kumar, who tabulates all things White House press ops. During the same period in their own respective presidencies, George W. Bush did 258 short Q&As, Bill Clinton did a mind-numbing 408, and George H.W. Bush did 159. More than Obama, in short.” (Julie Mason, “Obama’s Leeriness Of The Press,” Politico, 3/2/11)

FOR PROSECUTING THE ADMINISTRATION’S WHISTLEBLOWERS?

Obama Pursues “An Unexpectedly Aggressive Legal Offense” Against Leaks. “The Obama administration, which famously pledged to be the most transparent in American history, is pursuing an unexpectedly aggressive legal offensive against federal workers who leak secret information to expose wrongdoing, highlight national security threats or pursue a personal agenda.” (Josh Gerstein, “Despite Openness Pledge, President Obama Pursues Leakers,” Politico, 3/7/11)

Obama’s Prosecutions May Be Having “A Chilling Effect” On Government Whistleblowers. “But legal experts and good-government advocates say the hard-line approach to leaks has a chilling effect on whistleblowers, who fear harsh legal reprisals if they dare to speak up.” (Josh Gerstein, “Despite Openness Pledge, President Obama Pursues Leakers,” Politico, 3/7/11)

Good-Government Activists Say Obama’s Leak Policy Does Not Follow Obama’s Pledges Of Openness And Transparency. “Not only that, these advocates say, it runs counter to Obama’s pledges of openness by making it a crime to shine a light on the inner workings of government – especially when there are measures that could protect the nation’s interests without hauling journalists into court and government officials off to jail.” (Josh Gerstein, “Despite Openness Pledge, President Obama Pursues Leakers,” Politico, 3/7/11)

 FOR ALL THE CLOSED-DOOR FUNDRAISERS & THE DONOR PERKS?

“Despite The Administration’s Pledge For Openness, Though, Obama’s ‘Event’ For The DNC On Monday Is Closed To The Press.” (Matt Negron, “DNC Grabs Obama To Raise Cash,” Politico, 3/14/11)

• “Two Instances Over The Past 2 Weeks: TV News Coverage Was Barred At DSCC And DCCC Fundraisers Addressed By Pres Obama.” (Mark Knoller, Twitter Feed, 3/11/11)

These Fundraisers "Seem To Go Against [Obama's] Promise" For "Most Transparent" Administration Ever. "When Obama took office, he promised his administration would be the 'most transparent' ever, but the private fundraisers seem to go against that promise. David Jackson, president of the White House Correspondents' Association, said he is 'constantly bringing it up with the White House' to no avail. 'We object to any closed events where the president is speaking,' said Jackson, a USA Today reporter. 'We want a pool with the president, wherever he goes.'" (Matt Negrin, "President Obama Courts Wealthy Donors," Politico, 8/4/10)

In 2009, It Was Reported Obama Awards Top Donors With “VIP Access To The White House.” “During his first nine months in office, President Obama has quietly rewarded scores of top Democratic donors with VIP access to the White House, private briefings with administration advisers and invitations to important speeches and town-hall meetings… High-dollar fundraisers have been promised access to senior White House officials in exchange for pledges to donate $30,400 personally or to bundle $300,000 in contributions ahead of the 2010 midterm elections, according to internal Democratic National Committee documents obtained by The Washington Times.” (Matthew Mosk, “EXCLUSIVE: Democratic Donors Rewarded With W.H. Perks,” The Washington Times, 10/28/09)

• DNC Created Menu Of “Exclusive Access Opportunities." “The DNC has presented a menu of exclusive access opportunities to top givers, according to internal DNC documents provided to potential donors and obtained by The Times… One top donor described in an interview with The Times being given a birthday visit to the Oval Office. Another was allowed use of a White House-complex bowling alley for his family. Bundlers closest to the president were invited to watch a movie in the red-walled theater in the basement of the presidential mansion.” (Matthew Mosk, “EXCLUSIVE: Democratic Donors Rewarded With W.H. Perks,” The Washington Times, 10/28/09)

OR FOR THE WHITE HOUSE’S COFFEE DATES 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)

The Obama Administration Meets With Lobbyists Off The White House Grounds. “Caught between their boss’s anti-lobbyist rhetoric and the reality of governing, President Barack Obama’s aides often steer meetings with lobbyists to a complex just off the White House grounds – and several of the lobbyists involved say they believe the choice of venue is no accident.” (Chris Frates, “Lobbyists: W.H. Hides Meetings Off-Site,” Politico, 2/24/11)

Lobbyists Attending The Meetings Believe They Are Being Held Outside The White House So That The Visits Would Not Be In Public Visitor Logs And “Embarrass The President” “Some lobbyists suspected they were being kept outside the gates for political, rather than logistical, reasons. ‘My understanding was they were holding the meeting there because it included several high-level business and trade association lobbyists,’ said a senior business lobbyist who attended the meeting. ‘This was an effort to not have to go through the security protocols at the White House which could lead to the visitor logs at some point being released to the public and embarrass the president.’” (Chris Frates, “Lobbyists: W.H. Hides Meetings Off-Site,” Politico, 2/24/11)

OR THE CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENTS THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION FORCES LOBBYISTS TO SIGN?

The Obama Administration Is Pushing Lobbyists To Sign Confidentiality Agreements. “And administration officials recently asked some lobbyists and others who met with them to sign confidentiality agreements barring them from disclosing what was discussed at meetings with administration officials, in that case a rental policy working group.” (Chris Frates, “Lobbyists: W.H. Hides Meetings Off-Site,” Politico, 2/24/11)

• Confidentiality Agreements Are "A Highly Unusual Request." "Obama administration officials told a group of housing proponents this month that they must sign a confidentiality agreement to continue participating in talks -- a highly unusual request that has drawn criticism from a top Republican lawmaker who is investigating the matter." (Chris Frates, "HUD To Rental Policy Groups: Sign Agreement, Stay Quiet," Politico, 2/16/11)

OR MAYBE IT’S BECAUSE THE SUNSHINE WEEK AWARD IS PAID FOR BY

LONGTIME LIBERAL ACTIVISTS

The Sunlight Foundation Received $550,000 From George Soros’ Foundation To Promote Open Society In 2010. (“Sunlight Foundation: How We’re Funded,” Sunlight Foundation, Accessed 3/16/11)

Sunlight Foundation Founder Michael Klein Has Given $82,798 To Democratic Candidates, PACs and Committees Since 1990. (“Sunlight Foundation: About, Michael Klein,” Sunlight Foundation, Accessed 3/16/11; Center For Responsive Politics, OpenSecrets.org, Accessed 3/16/11)

Ebay Founder Pierre Omidyar’s Omidyar Network Has Donated Almost $12 Million To The Sunlight Foundation. (“Sunlight Foundation: How We’re Funded,” Sunlight Foundation, Accessed, 3/16/11)

• Pierre Omidyar Has Donated $158,100 To Democratic Candidates, Committees And PACs Since 1990. (Center For Responsive Politics, OpenSecrets.org, Accessed 3/16/11)