May 30: Obama initiates WH policy to silence critics (gee, that worked out real good)

WHITE HOUSE WEB SITE ^ | 5/30/09 | WHITE HOUSE

[Liz]

UPDATE Mmmmm....lookit the 100's of thousands of vocal townhallers. The WH policy to silence critics really worked (/snic). Watcha gonna do next, Obo?

BACKSTORY Update on Recovery Act Lobbying Rules: New Limits on Special Interest Influence
White House Blog
FRIDAY, MAY 29TH, 2009 AT 5:35 PM
Posted by Jesse Lee. An update from Norm Eisen, special counsel to the president for ethics and government reform, in the spirit of transparency as always: I am writing with an update on the President’s March 20, 2009 Memorandum on Ensuring Responsible Spending of Recovery Act Funds.

Section 3 of the Memorandum required all oral communications between federally registered lobbyists and government officials concerning Recovery Act policy to be disclosed on the Internet; barred registered lobbyists from having oral communications with government officials about specific Recovery Act projects or applications and instead required those communications to be in writing; and also required those written communications to be posted on the Internet.

That Memorandum instructed the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to review the initial 60 days of implementation of the stimulus lobbying restrictions, to evaluate the data, and to recommend modifications.

Following OMB’s review, the Administration has decided to make a number of changes to the rules that we think make them even tougher on special interests and more focused on merits-based decision making.

First, we will expand the restriction on oral communications to cover all persons, not just federally registered lobbyists. For the first time, we will reach contacts not only by registered lobbyists but also by unregistered ones, as well as anyone else exerting influence on the process. We concluded this was necessary under the unique circumstances of the stimulus program.

Second, we will focus the restriction on oral communications to target the scenario where concerns about merit-based decision-making are greatest –after competitive grant applications are submitted and before awards are made. Once such applications are on file, the competition should be strictly on the merits. To that end, comments (unless initiated by an agency official) must be in writing and will be posted on the Internet for every American to see.

Third, we will continue to require immediate internet disclosure of all other communications with registered lobbyists. If registered lobbyists have conversations or meetings before an application is filed, a form must be completed and posted to each agency’s website documenting the contact.

OMB will be consulting with agencies, outside experts and others about these principles and will publish detailed guidance, but we wanted to update interested parties on the outcome of the initial review. We consulted very broadly both within and outside of government (including as reflected in previous posts on the White House blog) and we are grateful to all those who participated in the process.

WEB SITE http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/Update-on-Recovery-Act-Lobbying-Rules-New-Limits-on-Special-Interest-Influence/

[Liz]

COMMENTS A jaw-dropping policy the White House released late on a May Saturday afternoon.....hoping we would not notice. How can this be legal? "Following OMB’s review, the Obama Administration has decided to make a number of changes to the rules that we think make them even tougher on special interests and more focused on merits-based decision making. First, we will expand the restriction on oral communications to cover all persons, not just federally registered lobbyists. For the first time, we will reach contacts not only by registered lobbyists but also by unregistered ones, as well as anyone else exerting influence on the process. We concluded this was necessary under the unique circumstances of the stimulus program."

The Liberty Sphere | May 30, 2009 | Anthony G. Martin
FR Posted May 30, 2009 by Welshman007
(Excerpt) Read more at thelibertysphere.blogspot.com

WHITE HOUSE MOVES TO SILENCE CRITICS OF THE STIMULUS PROGRAM!
FRONTAL ATTACK ON FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS!

ANALYSIS A new White House policy on permissible lobbying on economic recovery and stimulus project has taken a decidedly anti-First Amendment turn. It’s a classic illustration of Big Government trying to control every aspect of a particular activity and in the process running up against civil liberty. Check out this passage from a post on the White House blog by Norm Eisen, Special Counsel to the President on Ethics and Government Reform (emphasis added): “First, we will expand the restriction on oral communications to cover all persons, not just federally registered lobbyists. For the first time, we will reach contacts not only by registered lobbyists but also by unregistered ones, as well as anyone else exerting influence on the process. We concluded this was necessary under the unique circumstances of the stimulus program. Further, The key passage is the reference to expanding regulation from registered lobbyists to “anyone else exerting influence on the process."

[Candor7]

G'bye Freedom of Speech,m G'bye 1sy amendment, NO CRITICISM of Obama giving money to his preferred political fren's inn the finance wold.

Washington has become Chicago, and the so called president a neo Mayor Dailey.

[screaminsunshine]

A national Strike? I need a week off.

[bert]

......we will expand the restriction on oral communications to cover all persons........

To an old guy, one pretty skilled in interpersonal business communications, this seems to codify my pet peeve. The telephone is obsolete, henceforth use only e mail.

This the de facto situation in business now, especially among young women. They just won’t answer their phone. Need something? E mail will get it, but hell will freeze over before a phone call will be returned.

[steveab]

JOIN THE TAX REVOLT
STOP YOUR SPENDING
Don’t give to Washington
Don’t give it to Wall Street.
Don’t put it in the Local Bank
Take your extra cash and bury it in the “back yard”.

And above all tell your “career politicians” why you have stopped spending.
Tell Washington to stop their out of control spending.

[SE Mom]

I remember this. We had a thread or two on FR at the time- BUT because this administration is hellbent on pushing through endless numbers of directives, executive orders and policy changes I’d forgotten about this assault on freedom.

It’s striking how many “little” things like this are being done without being noticed or even known about by the public.

Thanks for the reminder!

[uncommonsense]

Great find! One stone at a time is being removed from our foundation - in the dead of night behind closed doors by unelected officials with no accountability to anyone but the poser.

[RoadTest]

Of course, your secret, back-door deals with Lobbies that you like are excepted, eh Oby?