Posted on 11/12/2008 6:37:11 PM PST by Beloved Levinite
President-elect Obama to President Bush: Time to tell all
BY MICHAEL McAULIFF DAILY NEWS WASHINGTON BUREAU
Wednesday, November 12th 2008, 1:28 AM
WASHINGTON - Time to open the books, George.
President-elect Barack Obama's transition team is moving full speed ahead - and starting Monday, will demand access and details from what many regard as the most secretive White House ever.
"By the end of the week, we'll announce agency review teams that will complete a thorough review of more than 100 departments, agencies and commissions of the United States government, as well as of the White House," Obama transition boss John Podesta declared Tuesday.
He also said the members of those teams would all be announced online soon.
"This is part of our commitment to make this the most open and transparent transition in history," Podesta said.
Podesta, a former Clinton White House chief of staff, said the goal was to give incoming honchos the details they need to start making "strategic" decisions even before the inauguration and then to launch "signature policy initiatives" soon thereafter.
Both sides have praised the other's cooperation and information sharing.
But Tuesday, they had to smooth over reports the Bush administration was peeved with Obama aides who shared details of the two leaders' historic private confab on Monday, which would have had to have come from the Obama side.
Aides told some news outlets that President Bush was trying to get Obama to back his free trade deal for Colombia in return for Bush pushing a new economic stimulus that Obama wants.
"While the topic of Colombia came up, there was no quid pro quo," Podesta said.
"Whatever happened this morning was a result of reports which I think were not accurate," he said. "I think we've cleared it up and agreed to move forward."
Podesta added that he's had "excellent cooperation" from White House chief of staff Josh Bolten. "When we have a disagreement, we know how to pick up a phone and talk to one another," he said.
In another contrast to the current administration, Team Obama said it was banning federal lobbyists from contributing to the transition and would likely do the same for the inauguration.
Podesta said the tab for gearing up to take over will cost about $12 million, with $5.2 million coming from the Treasury.
In spite of the already emerging contrasts, Bush remained positive in his assessment of Obama - particularly the President-elect's devotion to daughters Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7.
"Clearly this guy is going to bring a great sense of family to the White House. And I hope Laura and I did the same thing," Bush told CNN.
"But I believe he will. And I know his girls are on his mind, and he wants to make sure that first and foremost, he's a good dad. And I think it's going to be an important part of his presidency."
mmcauliff@nydailynews.com
With Kenneth R. Bazinet in Chicago
And Bush is being "foolishly" gracious, IMO. Enough already, George, you (I'll be nice)!! This "guy" is fixing to destroy this nation...but he'll be a "great" father!! HOW WONDERFUL!!
New Tone...Compassionate Conservatism...Reaching across the aisle....Uniter not a divider....
First one: Scooter Libby
Obammy is not president until late January. Bush is a wuss! I’d tell Obammy to bug out!
When will it be time for Obama to “tell all” about his birth and medical records.
Screw Obama. Zero cooperation.
What a prick. Bush is being open and gracious and willing...and this kind of crap is uncalled for.
Look for the first YEAR of Hussein’s “rule” to be one lie after another about how the Bush administration did bad stuff....
Hussein is a jerk...and that is hopefully becoming more clear to John Q. Public as the days go by. (I’m not optimistic though.)
Contrast this to the way the Clintons treated Bush. They wouldn’t even let him in the white house until after the supreme court ruled. Then they go and steal the furniture and trash the offices.
I think being a maxist is genetic. I am serious. Its just doesn’t make any sense.
John
The Bush Admin had better be very careful here.
If they go and open up things a bit too much, information will suddenly find its way to Henry, the nose, Waxman’s office.
Sounds like it could be an attempted end run around executive privilege.
It’s a tad premature to be issuing demands, seeing as how the Electoral College hasn’t even voted.
The indictments of the Bush Administration will soon follow.
Doew Bush realize Obama is out to crucify him? I wonder.
He hasn’t even been elected yet. The electoral college is not a mere formality.
More proof that these people consider the Constitution to be toilet paper.
Some dumbass Obamatingler called Hannity today and said that Osama bin Biden was the “second coming of Abraham Lincoln.” I think he’s more like the second coming of Che Gueverra. The voters are going to be sorry they ever elected this Chicago thug. This country is on the brink of total destruction.
Amazing, just amazing that George W. might be dragged thru the courts in a never-ending attempt to bankrupt him, but the rapist in charge in the preceding 8 years with his sexual attacks and traitorous behavior (selling military secrets to our enemies for campaign cash) and his disgusting so-called wife faced not a whit of legal indictments for all their co-conspiratorial felonies.
Hands across the aisle, huh? George W and his father both got butchered by these pigs.
Also recall the Clinton White House staffers removing the 'W' key from all of the office keyboards.
Doew=Does
threats
Just another bunch of “reach arounds”
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