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
Ahhh... John Podesta rearing his ugly head again. Gee John I thought you were going to be the most ethical administration in U.S. history as you prepared to bring in the Clintons.
I would be shocked of Bush issued any pardons....
All this demanding Bush open-the-files is to get a head start in gathering evidence to hold show trials of Bush administration officials.
Hold on now! You didn't read what they said.
On January 21st, the doors to the smoke-free smokey backroom slam shut.
You've gotten lazy during these 8 years. Get your Clinton Parsing chops back up to speed.
Bush’s “most secretive White House ever”
...this from the press who has not asked ONE THING about Hussein, a guy who has not released his own birth certificate, his college transcripts or GPA from Occidental,his client list, his Illiinois State Senate records, his medical records, his donor lists from the millions of dollars he received when he turned off the anti-fraud mechanism for credit cards,...the list goes on...
anyone want to add more????
Oh man... you beat me to the punch on the ethical administration part.
I threw up in my mouth. That happens a lot these days.
Backtrack Obama changed his tune on this: “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.” They WILL hire lobbyists now. All over the news now.
I’m sorry, I’m in a time warp from a thread about prosecuting him for Iraqi war crimes. Never mind.
Been crying in my pillow. Really. I just want everything to go back to NORMAL. I already miss President and Laura Bush, Rush, Glenn, having my own house, paying the bills, real food, books, my time... Okay, so 0 hasn't taken it all away yet, but he wants to.
and stealing keys to offices etc.
And this from a guy whose entire history is on lockdown. What an a$$.
And as for reaching across the aisle, the only good reason to do that is to slap the face of the nearest idiot over there. Anything less means the person doing the reaching is a wuss and needs to be replaced with a guy who has cojones.
Everything Obama learns between now and his swearing in isn’t covered by an oath of allegiance to the United States and the Constitution.
Dec 15 is the vote for President,
don’t cry, lock and load
You know those primitive people who believe in "cargo religions" -- which revolve around the hope of receiving more free goods from "the gods" (i.e. packages dropped from airplanes)? Obama supporters remind me of them.
YUP.... and Drudge already has a “developing.....” headline about how the shameless Demagogues are preparing their “investigations” of the Bush admin.....
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2131135/posts
It’s going to be a hellish time for this country for years to come.
“...will demand access and details ...”
You’re in no position to “demand” anything.
IF we leave records behind, you can review them AFTER January 20th!
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