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Obama's Pick for Dep. Pentagon Chief Violates Pledge About Lobbyists
January 09, 2009 10:23 AM
President-elect Barack Obama's pick to be deputy secretary of defense, William Lynn, violates his campaign pledge that no lobbyists will be allowed on his team working on subjects they've recently lobbied on, Transition officials acknowledged Friday.
Officials say they were aware that Lynn had lobbied for defense giant Raytheon as recently as last summer, but they defended their pick.
"Because Mr. Lynn came so highly recommended from experts across the political spectrum, the president-elect felt it was critical that he fill this position," said Obama Transition spokesman Tommy Vietor. "We are aware that Mr. Lynn lobbied for Raytheon, and are working with Mr. Lynn to craft a role for him that is consistent with the president-elect's high standards while balancing the need to fill this critical national security position."
Lynn, a former undersecretary of defense in the Clinton administration, currently serves as senior vice president of government operations and strategy at Raytheon, a military contractor. The deputy defense secretary traditionally supervises hiring such contractors.
During his presidential campaign, Mr. Obama promised that no lobbyist would work in an area related to that field for at least two years after that association.
As recently as the end of 2007, Mr. Obama was pledging that no lobbyists would "work" in his White House, but he backtracked on that promise before the Iowa caucuses, saying instead that lobbyists would not "run" his White House.
The campaign later clarified that policy as meaning that no political appointees who have been lobbyists would be allowed to work on issues that "directly and substantially related to their prior employer for two years."
Several former lobbyists have also paved their way into the administration, including soon-to-be chief of staff for Vice President-elect Joe Biden, Ron Klain, who was registered as a lobbyist for Fannie Mae until 2004.
-- Jake Tapper and Huma Khan
January 9, 2009 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (57)
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He repeatedly lied all through his campaign, and in fact, many of his supporters seemed to believe he was just saying what he had to say to get elected (No, he really doesn't support gay marriage, but you can't convince the liberals of that). Well, you can't trust a liar, and he's one of the most blatent ones I've seen in public office. And that's saying something.
Posted by: MBS | Jan 24, 2009 10:06:27 PM
Must drink the Koolaid,
Must drink the Koolaid.
Posted by: Sally J. | Jan 24, 2009 9:07:47 AM
Fellow "backyard columnist"is time to expand our views to understand the current problems of our time,PEBHO has pledged never to trail the lobiest part,however thats a promise fulfiled if u ar unsertisfied aproach him and make ur case hope he,s open to better ideas "long live the president"
Posted by: callistus-hammon,indiana | Jan 13, 2009 1:22:11 AM
Even his political father "Abraham lincoln" was criticised constructively guess he should get ready for same unrepentant critics!
Posted by: callistus | Jan 13, 2009 12:39:01 AM
Start early, and hate him now. He is just another liar, and he will continue to $crew the american people. What campaign promises.
Posted by: Carol Alabama | Jan 12, 2009 5:07:08 PM
He can't please all your whims and caprices. Nope!
Posted by: Austin Chuks | Jan 12, 2009 8:10:28 AM
Republican's critize Obama for their perception that Obama has violated his principles that they don't support in any case.
Posted by: Rich | Jan 11, 2009 12:12:35 PM
A Professional LIAR at work !
Posted by: AndyT | Jan 11, 2009 9:54:56 AM
Just as I suspected. Another corrupt Clintonite in Barack's lineup.
Posted by: Mihann | Jan 10, 2009 7:56:51 PM
Obama is just another big talking politician. He will weaken the CIA while advancing his socialist agenda.
No lobbist on his team just more retoric. To bad America could not see through this charade.
Obama thinks he is the next Abraham Linclon but in fact he is the next Carl Marx.
Posted by: OLD GEEZER | Jan 10, 2009 4:38:08 PM
"No, you see, it was John McCain who violated the public's trust by having a former lobbyist on staff." Vinman
You don't get it Vinman. John McCain never violated ANYTHING, because he never denied having lobbyists on his staff, nor did he ever vow not to have lobbyists on his staff. Obama lied when he said, in no uncertain terms, "I have done more to take on lobbyists than any other candidate in this race - and I've won. I don't take a dime of their money, and when I am President, they won't find a job in my White House."
Posted by: Glen | Jan 10, 2009 3:32:02 PM
I see only 1 Obama supporter willing to admit Obama made a bad choice and reniged on a promise. I don't get it, what are you all aftaid of? You can admit he's not perfect you know, after all its all right there in black and white. All your excuses in the world arnt't going to change the fact he picked a lobbiest when he promised he wouldn't. This isn't the first time and I'm certain it won't be the last. He is a politician after all.
Posted by: stillwaiting | Jan 10, 2009 2:53:22 PM
He is now proving himself to be a liar, showing his lack of experience and he is making all the idiots who voted for him out for the idiots they really are!!! WE TOLD YOU SO!!!
America you were warned he was only a community organizer but you wouldn't listen, now America pays the price, and we are talking Trillions.
Posted by: HH | Jan 10, 2009 11:03:12 AM
This is another campain promise retracted. He is starting to look like any other politician in washington.
Posted by: j | Jan 10, 2009 7:32:09 AM
Well you all could have had a real change. Sarah Palin but comPaliners and liers stopped that. The next campaign matra: We gave Bush four more years not Obama.
Posted by: Hank Irelan | Jan 10, 2009 5:35:56 AM
OOOOOooooo....another Clintonite. Yup, let us begin to talk about "CHANGE". Barry should have bowed out of the race cause all I see is a Clinton regime all over again! Just what do the Clintons have on the Annointed One?
Posted by: commrat72 | Jan 9, 2009 7:45:28 PM
________________________________________
So what are you complaining about? If you voted for McCain then you obviously liked the "politics as usual" in Washington. Now you complain because you got what you asked for? Can you folks begin to make just a little sense?
Posted by: dk | Jan 10, 2009 3:53:30 AM
Putting the ex lobbyist (and continuing employee) of Raytheon in the number #2 spot at the Pentagon is a bad idea. He has his 401k and stocks in the success of a company that by their own admission promotes "Missile defense, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; precision strike ; homeland security and technical services." If Obama plans on slashing the expenditures and ever expanding activities of the Pentagon this is sending the opposite message, and doubtless will encourage even more needless military spending so that he can make his company even more money. What a let down.
Posted by: k | Jan 9, 2009 10:21:36 PM
I like how many articles say "defends his pick/choice" as each one in every area is yet another instance of politics as usual, or a poor/unqualified choice. He's not defending, he's telling you he's doing what he wants. There's no defending there.
He doesn't CARE what "the people" think. He never did. He said what was needed, he convinced, he's the PE.
"Mission accomplished."
Posted by: Laughing Cynic | Jan 9, 2009 8:41:29 PM
OOOOOooooo....another Clintonite. Yup, let us begin to talk about "CHANGE". Barry should have bowed out of the race cause all I see is a Clinton regime all over again! Just what do the Clintons have on the Annointed One?
Posted by: commrat72 | Jan 9, 2009 7:45:28 PM
What fools ye mortals be. If it weren't so tragic, it would be comedic, the way you were duped by Obama and his hot air brigade.
Posted by: Lisa Again | Jan 9, 2009 7:44:12 PM
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