Obama’s Pick for Dep. Pentagon Chief Violates Pledge About Lobbyists
EmailPresident-elect Barack Obama’s pick to be deputy secretary of defense, William Lynn, violates his campaign pledge that no lobbyists will be allowed on his team working on subjects they’ve recently lobbied on, Transition officials acknowledged Friday.
Officials say they were aware that Lynn had lobbied for defense giant Raytheon as recently as last summer, but they defended their pick.
"Because Mr. Lynn came so highly recommended from experts across the political spectrum, the president-elect felt it was critical that he fill this position," said Obama Transition spokesman Tommy Vietor. "We are aware that Mr. Lynn lobbied for Raytheon, and are working with Mr. Lynn to craft a role for him that is consistent with the president-elect’s high standards while balancing the need to fill this critical national security position."
Lynn, a former undersecretary of defense in the Clinton administration, currently serves as senior vice president of government operations and strategy at Raytheon, a military contractor. The deputy defense secretary traditionally supervises hiring such contractors.
During his presidential campaign, Mr. Obama promised that no lobbyist would work in an area related to that field for at least two years after that association.
As recently as the end of 2007, Mr. Obama was pledging that no lobbyists would "work" in his White House, but he backtracked on that promise before the Iowa caucuses, saying instead that lobbyists would not "run" his White House.
The campaign later clarified that policy as meaning that no political appointees who have been lobbyists would be allowed to work on issues that "directly and substantially related to their prior employer for two years."
Several former lobbyists have also paved their way into the administration, including soon-to-be chief of staff for Vice President-elect Joe Biden, Ron Klain, who was registered as a lobbyist for Fannie Mae until 2004.
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The “Obama” organizations “violations” are coming fast and furious on ALL fronts (what about Admiral BLAIR??). That “lobbyist” fluff was just a little something to enthrall Keith Olbermann, probably. What about DASCHLE? (Right: he wasn’t REGISTERED, was only an “advisor” … )
The CHANGEling said “change”, and used it to steal the nomination and the election that came with it.
Obama’s the REAL right wing … the ones who aren’t dragging any “Christian” restrictions, embrace cultural decadence of any kind, and are reminiscent of the … high-culture Nazi leadership.
If the Jesse Jacksons will just overthrow Him NOW, it will save a revolution down the road. The world will not survive another Clinton administration, with the “it depends on what the meaning of ‘is’ is” approach the “Obama” organization’s now adopted.
Posted by: Belle Starr | January 9, 2009, 10:47 am 10:47 am
and of course this will NOT be mentioned on World News Tonight
Posted by: MSN exposed | January 9, 2009, 10:53 am 10:53 am
PEBO break a promise…NEVER!! The bots will find an excuse…come on lets hear it.
Posted by: samhiguchi | January 9, 2009, 10:53 am 10:53 am
You can’t question “the one”. Don’t you know he is infallible like the pope,only smarter and better looking.
Posted by: Cheney | January 9, 2009, 10:57 am 10:57 am
Political weasel words: ANY time a politician or spokesman for one uses the word “craft” (to mean ‘write’, ‘figure out’, ‘come up with’, etc.), you can depend on bullchips in play. (What image are they aiming for? Buddhist monks busy with a sand-painting, maybe?)
Another of these words is “stakeholder”.
Readers here may think of others.
Posted by: Belle Starr | January 9, 2009, 11:00 am 11:00 am
Obama should stay consistent with his pledge about keeping recent lobbyists out of his cabinet. Especially when it comes to a Pentagon Chief’s recent ties to Raytheon. Not only is it inconsistent, but that’s something which could come back with consequences later on in his administration.
Posted by: kat | January 9, 2009, 11:07 am 11:07 am
samhiguchi: “The bots will find an excuse…come on lets hear it.”
Why bother? The “bots” (by which I assume you mean the historical majority of Americans who voted for Obama) don’t really care about his pick for Deputy Secretary of Defense. Can you even name the last two Deputy Secretary of Defense (one is easy, but I honestly don’t know who is in there now)?
At this point Obama is going to be judged on big issues and performance, not on playing gotcha and working to define how far down his org chart his no-lobbiest pledge (which has already been metto a degree unprecedented in a generation). Although I guess the talk radio guys need something new to foam about (I think the tax cuts in the stimulus threw them off a bit).
Posted by: jhw539 | January 9, 2009, 11:09 am 11:09 am
“You can’t question “the one”.Don’t you know he is infallible like the pope,only smarter and better looking.”
With an IQ in the 130′s, pretty-boy Barry’s just smart enough to know that some people really ARE smarter than others. If he were REALLY smart, he’d be able to talk.
A pope-mobile IS being prepared for the fluffy little figure-head, though, so maybe yer on the right track.
Posted by: Belle Starr | January 9, 2009, 11:11 am 11:11 am
jhw539, there ya go, I knew there would be one. So lies don’t matter if they aren’t for something major, is that what you tell your kids? Just curious.
Posted by: samhiguchi | January 9, 2009, 11:13 am 11:13 am
JHW,It looks like the tax cuts in the stimulus thew off the dems in congress more than it threw off the talk radio guys
Posted by: Cheney | January 9, 2009, 11:14 am 11:14 am
No, you see, it was John McCain who violated the public’s trust by having a former lobbyist on staff.
Posted by: Vinman | January 9, 2009, 11:17 am 11:17 am
Since defense spending is the largest single expense in the US, seems like this position would be the most important to keep clean of the corporations.
Now why exactly should an Raytheon ARMS SALESMAN have anything to do with department of defense?
Oh yeah, that’s right. The corporations own our government.
Just as the corporations took our 700 billion TARP money, they continue to take our democracy.
Posted by: James | January 9, 2009, 11:22 am 11:22 am
it is not what you say but what you do…..
we need a new standard ,……this is not change ….
but they defended their pick.
Posted by: jop | January 9, 2009, 11:25 am 11:25 am
A popemobile, huh Belle? Wow. You sure seem to have a lot of inside information. What is the source?
Posted by: William J. LePetomane | January 9, 2009, 11:49 am 11:49 am
Politics is just organized corporate crime.
Posted by: Thomas Mc | January 9, 2009, 12:08 pm 12:08 pm
“A popemobile, huh Belle? Wow. You sure seem to have a lot of inside information. What is the source?”
TV news, same as everybody. A FLEET of pope-mobiles. Kevlar tires might make for a rough ride …
Posted by: Belle Starr | January 9, 2009, 12:12 pm 12:12 pm
“Yesterday, the Senate passed a secretly drafted and fast-tracked resolution co-sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Republican Senator Mitch McConnell by unanimous voice vote (meaning there will be no written record of who voted yes or who abstained) “recognizing the right of Israel to defend itself against attacks from Gaza and reaffirming the United States’ strong support for Israel in its battle with Hamas … ”
Are we safe yet?
Posted by: Belle Starr | January 9, 2009, 12:14 pm 12:14 pm
samhiguchi: ” So lies don’t matter if they aren’t for something major, is that what you tell your kids? Just curious.”
Of course – if my kid lies about liking her birthday present, that is different than lying about kicking the kid next door. At a presidential level, lying about getting a blowjob (that could destroy a family) is different about lying about the need to go to war (that kills 4000+ American kids and costs almost $1,000,000,000,000).
Welcome to the world of non-absolutes that most non-toddlers live in.
Posted by: jhw539 | January 9, 2009, 12:25 pm 12:25 pm
The Pope mobile is only for the Pope. Obama is not the Queen of England, and even she dont have a Pope mobile. The Pope is the first, and it is written in the Bible , that the early bird catches the worm.So Obama and Michelle will have to get they’r own Obama ,Michelle mobile.
Posted by: James | January 9, 2009, 12:39 pm 12:39 pm
I think Obamamobile would suffice. The pope mobile is similar to the “papal presidency,” which was applied to Reagan.
Posted by: kat | January 9, 2009, 12:46 pm 12:46 pm
Wake Up America!! It is time people stop being so naive in this country. All politicians are liars, some are really good at it with fancy words and eloquence.
And they play with words, like “Work” and “Run”.
A lobbyist is a lobbyist, period!!
Posted by: sam narinejit | January 9, 2009, 1:01 pm 1:01 pm
The vox-pops in the peanut gallery would love to know how much flack ABC’s taking today for the words “Violates Pledge” in the title above.
Posted by: Belle Starr | January 9, 2009, 1:35 pm 1:35 pm
What a liar.
Posted by: kb | January 9, 2009, 1:52 pm 1:52 pm
… If looks like a politician, if walks like a politician … But talks like a champion of the common man … WATCH OUT for the double speak and empty platitudes
Posted by: PlumHunter | January 9, 2009, 1:55 pm 1:55 pm
“WATCH OUT for the double speak and empty platitudes”
The media could have stopped this fraud in Iowa, when He was lying about Exelon. If they HAD, it’s most likely that John Edwards would be on the way to the WH.
Platitudes are one thing. It’s the downright lies that will bring Him down. HOPEfully before He’s installed as “president”.
Posted by: Belle Starr | January 9, 2009, 2:02 pm 2:02 pm
My parents always taught me that “Little Lies” will lead to “Big Lies”. So, DON’T start with the little ones. Once you do and get away with it, you start telling BIGGER and MORE.
Posted by: ajax | January 9, 2009, 2:17 pm 2:17 pm
“Once you do and get away with it, you start telling BIGGER and MORE.”
Hence the Judeo-Christian prohibition on bearing false witness. Candidate-maker Axelrod’s stock in trade, regrettably, has ever been bearing false witness …
Unless His former friends in Illinois put a stop to it, the figure-head “Obama” is about to be installed as Golden Calf.
Posted by: Belle Starr | January 9, 2009, 2:25 pm 2:25 pm
jhw539 – I voted for Obama. I have been impressed by his appointees for the most part. Heck, I have tickets to the swearing in ceremony. But I am very disappointed in this. A lobbyist for crying out loud!?! I don’t care how high marks he got. I don’t care how special and experienced he his. He is already biased. He has invisible strings attached. We all criticized Cheney for his Haliburton contacts and supposed sweet deals. This administration isn’t even up and running and we have this potential conflict of interest?! I just have to say it again. I am sooooooo disappointed!
Posted by: afbrat59 | January 9, 2009, 2:45 pm 2:45 pm
“He could appoint nothing but lobbyists, serial murders, and cross-dressers … ”
Isn’t that essentially what He’s doing?
Posted by: Belle Starr | January 9, 2009, 2:51 pm 2:51 pm
Please name the serial murderers and cross-dressers that have been appointed.
Posted by: William J. LePetomane | January 9, 2009, 2:53 pm 2:53 pm
Every night when I lay my head down on my pillow, I give thanks to God for two things: 1-the evil Bush administration is just about gone, and 2-thanks for sending corrupt, incompetent, fire-from-the-hip John McCain into oblivion.
Posted by: William J. LePetomane | January 9, 2009, 2:55 pm 2:55 pm
Jon – come on dude! There are plenty of supporters who are not biased. We are quite capable of being honest about the new administration and their decisions. We voice our opinion and pleasure or displeasure as the case may be. Most of us have moved on and are trying to help the new administration with our advice and opinions concerning what matters in our country today. I personally invite you to get on board and give constructive advice and opinion about the country’s state.
Posted by: afbrat59 | January 9, 2009, 2:59 pm 2:59 pm
Do you seriously have anything constructive to add? Do you really want to help this country’s situation? Or do you want to continue to sit and sulk and make up stories of your angst at not getting your way on election day. I’ll bet you are the type that still believes Bush was a good President and everything that has happened the last 8 years, especially the war is someone else’s fault!
Posted by: afbrat59 | January 9, 2009, 3:17 pm 3:17 pm
afbrat59 – don’t even bring up the war with me dude, I fought in it. I will give the EXACT same level of courtesy and respect to Obama that Bush got from the likes of you. Not one iota more.
Posted by: Jon | January 9, 2009, 3:26 pm 3:26 pm
It won’t matter between the media and his followers, they could be living on the street, in tatters, without food and saying he’s doing a good job for them. Reality has been suspended, it’s gonna be a LOONG four years. 1st Bush and now THIS!?! Remember when we actually had TWO parties instead of the same corporate special interest enacting policy on behalf of multinational corporations and robber barons like Rockefeller? I guess this is what happens when you replace a Republic (repect for the minority) with a Democracy! (i.e. Mob Rule!) Wake up America, we’ve replaced one long, national nightmare with ANOTHER!
Posted by: please! | January 9, 2009, 4:22 pm 4:22 pm
Ha ha hee hee. Captain Backtrack strikes again. Democractic voters were completely duped by Obama – however, if you Democrats didn’t exhaust all of your naivete in the election (which is doubtful), I’ve got great deals for you on some beautiful homes in Detroit.
Posted by: Bill | January 9, 2009, 4:54 pm 4:54 pm
Obama the Usurper
Posted by: Bing | January 9, 2009, 5:24 pm 5:24 pm
What fools ye mortals be. If it weren’t so tragic, it would be comedic, the way you were duped by Obama and his hot air brigade.
Posted by: Lisa Again | January 9, 2009, 7:44 pm 7:44 pm
OOOOOooooo….another Clintonite. Yup, let us begin to talk about “CHANGE”. Barry should have bowed out of the race cause all I see is a Clinton regime all over again! Just what do the Clintons have on the Annointed One?
Posted by: commrat72 | January 9, 2009, 7:45 pm 7:45 pm
I like how many articles say “defends his pick/choice” as each one in every area is yet another instance of politics as usual, or a poor/unqualified choice. He’s not defending, he’s telling you he’s doing what he wants. There’s no defending there.
He doesn’t CARE what “the people” think. He never did. He said what was needed, he convinced, he’s the PE.
“Mission accomplished.”
Posted by: Laughing Cynic | January 9, 2009, 8:41 pm 8:41 pm
Putting the ex lobbyist (and continuing employee) of Raytheon in the number #2 spot at the Pentagon is a bad idea. He has his 401k and stocks in the success of a company that by their own admission promotes “Missile defense, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; precision strike ; homeland security and technical services.” If Obama plans on slashing the expenditures and ever expanding activities of the Pentagon this is sending the opposite message, and doubtless will encourage even more needless military spending so that he can make his company even more money. What a let down.
Posted by: k | January 9, 2009, 10:21 pm 10:21 pm
OOOOOooooo….another Clintonite. Yup, let us begin to talk about “CHANGE”. Barry should have bowed out of the race cause all I see is a Clinton regime all over again! Just what do the Clintons have on the Annointed One?
Posted by: commrat72 | Jan 9, 2009 7:45:28 PM
________________________________________
So what are you complaining about? If you voted for McCain then you obviously liked the “politics as usual” in Washington. Now you complain because you got what you asked for? Can you folks begin to make just a little sense?
Posted by: dk | January 10, 2009, 3:53 am 3:53 am
Well you all could have had a real change. Sarah Palin but comPaliners and liers stopped that. The next campaign matra: We gave Bush four more years not Obama.
Posted by: Hank Irelan | January 10, 2009, 5:35 am 5:35 am
This is another campain promise retracted. He is starting to look like any other politician in washington.
Posted by: j | January 10, 2009, 7:32 am 7:32 am
He is now proving himself to be a liar, showing his lack of experience and he is making all the idiots who voted for him out for the idiots they really are!!! WE TOLD YOU SO!!!
America you were warned he was only a community organizer but you wouldn’t listen, now America pays the price, and we are talking Trillions.
Posted by: HH | January 10, 2009, 11:03 am 11:03 am
I see only 1 Obama supporter willing to admit Obama made a bad choice and reniged on a promise. I don’t get it, what are you all aftaid of? You can admit he’s not perfect you know, after all its all right there in black and white. All your excuses in the world arnt’t going to change the fact he picked a lobbiest when he promised he wouldn’t. This isn’t the first time and I’m certain it won’t be the last. He is a politician after all.
Posted by: stillwaiting | January 10, 2009, 2:53 pm 2:53 pm
“No, you see, it was John McCain who violated the public’s trust by having a former lobbyist on staff.” Vinman
You don’t get it Vinman. John McCain never violated ANYTHING, because he never denied having lobbyists on his staff, nor did he ever vow not to have lobbyists on his staff. Obama lied when he said, in no uncertain terms, “I have done more to take on lobbyists than any other candidate in this race – and I’ve won. I don’t take a dime of their money, and when I am President, they won’t find a job in my White House.”
Posted by: Glen | January 10, 2009, 3:32 pm 3:32 pm
Obama is just another big talking politician. He will weaken the CIA while advancing his socialist agenda.
No lobbist on his team just more retoric. To bad America could not see through this charade.
Obama thinks he is the next Abraham Linclon but in fact he is the next Carl Marx.
Posted by: OLD GEEZER | January 10, 2009, 4:38 pm 4:38 pm
Just as I suspected. Another corrupt Clintonite in Barack’s lineup.
Posted by: Mihann | January 10, 2009, 7:56 pm 7:56 pm
A Professional LIAR at work !
Posted by: AndyT | January 11, 2009, 9:54 am 9:54 am
Republican’s critize Obama for their perception that Obama has violated his principles that they don’t support in any case.
Posted by: Rich | January 11, 2009, 12:12 pm 12:12 pm
He can’t please all your whims and caprices. Nope!
Posted by: Austin Chuks | January 12, 2009, 8:10 am 8:10 am
Start early, and hate him now. He is just another liar, and he will continue to $crew the american people. What campaign promises.
Posted by: Carol Alabama | January 12, 2009, 5:07 pm 5:07 pm
Even his political father “Abraham lincoln” was criticised constructively guess he should get ready for same unrepentant critics!
Posted by: callistus | January 13, 2009, 12:39 am 12:39 am
Fellow “backyard columnist”is time to expand our views to understand the current problems of our time,PEBHO has pledged never to trail the lobiest part,however thats a promise fulfiled if u ar unsertisfied aproach him and make ur case hope he,s open to better ideas “long live the president”
Posted by: callistus-hammon,indiana | January 13, 2009, 1:22 am 1:22 am
Must drink the Koolaid,
Must drink the Koolaid.
Posted by: Sally J. | January 24, 2009, 9:07 am 9:07 am
He repeatedly lied all through his campaign, and in fact, many of his supporters seemed to believe he was just saying what he had to say to get elected (No, he really doesn’t support gay marriage, but you can’t convince the liberals of that). Well, you can’t trust a liar, and he’s one of the most blatent ones I’ve seen in public office. And that’s saying something.
Posted by: MBS | January 24, 2009, 10:06 pm 10:06 pm