President Obama takes a lot of spears in the back from the Left, Middle, and Right. He never seems frazzled which may be a testament to his upbringing and world experience. Many think he has too much in the fire. I am coming to the conclusion that this is by design and when the pieces start falling into place it could get interesting. If this gamble on Congress’s competence pays of, this guy will be a revolutionary President. Yesterday somewhat positive news of the effect of the stimulus came in. Now this article below on the results on the results in executive lobbying. Will all the dominoes fall in his favor?
Critics across the political spectrum have lambasted the Obama administration’s restrictions on lobbying as everything from a loophole-ridden political ploy to an unconstitutional violation of free-speech rights.
But this week, congressional researchers concluded that the administration’s crackdown has “already changed the relationship between lobbyists and covered executive branch officials” and suggested that Congress might consider enacting similar restrictions on itself.
The White House seized on the 18-page report by the Congressional Research Service as evidence that President Barack Obama is fulfilling his campaign promise to rein in the power of special interests in Washington.
“We’re pleased that CRS recognized a fact that is apparent everyday to those of us who work in government: The president’s historic restrictions on lobbying are having a significant impact in making sure that the government serves the public interest and not special interests,” Norm Eisen, the White House’s lead ethics lawyer, told POLITICO. “We hear constantly from public servants across the executive branch how appreciative they are that the president’s high standards and tough rules allow them to do their jobs. That represents the precise change that the president promised and that CRS recognizes he has delivered.”
But not everyone was convinced. A lobbying trade group and a left-leaning government watchdog that have been critical of Obama’s clampdown dismissed the report as hollow and slanted toward the administration. [CONTINUED]
President Obama’s lobbying reforms praised by Congressional Research Service – – POLITICO.com
