Comments on: Obama Outlines His Reform Agenda

By: L

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 22:13:09 +0000

This isn’t exactly relevant, but as close and recent a post as I can find…but let’s get some discussion on Dodd’s proposal going. Anyone on Donklephant care to blog about it?

By: Rich Horton

Rich Horton — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 21:44:02 +0000

Hmmm, if its a pledge just on “signing statements” thats one thing, it sure sounds like something more than that.

By: Justin Gardner

Justin Gardner — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 18:48:50 +0000

@Rich- Well, that certainly didn’t stop Bush.

Like Bush, Obama will just do it with signing statements, only his will be for more transparency, not less.

@kranky kritter – Oh, I’m sure those organizations have lobbyist working for them, but they’re not a lobbying firm, per se. I think that’s the distinction here. No staffers can become lobbyists themselves, or, when the two years is up, can they lobby the White House.

By: Rich Horton

Rich Horton — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 17:08:54 +0000

Hmmm…it seems most of this would be better done from an office in the Legislative branch, not the Executive. If Obama attempted to impose these measure from the OVal Office there are extreme seperation of powers issues.

By: kranky kritter

kranky kritter — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 16:10:45 +0000

Which special interest groups count as lobbyists? Can an ex-Obama staffer go work for the ACLU or NAACP? How are these being defined?

By: Bob Aman

Bob Aman — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 15:00:56 +0000

Here’s the thing I like best about Obama: His campaign promises? They’re actually possible to keep. I would be surprised if he didn’t follow through on most of these.