Well, it seems that not all lobbyists are persona non grata in the new administration. Turns out that Obama's words are carved in stone on this matter ... unless they're not. For example, take the case of William J. Lynn III (I never trust a man with Roman numerals after his name). Mr. Lynn, the Boston Globe reports, is a "former" Raytheon lobbyist who Obama wants for the Pentagon of all places.
Indeed, Lynn's lobbying ties are a clear violation of Obama's own ethics rules. Implemented by executive order on Jan. 21, they bar lobbyists from positions in the new administration that oversee the industries they advocated for in the previous two years. Lynn, however, was a registered lobbyist for Raytheon until July 2008.
Sen. John McCain had put a hold on the nomination, but has since let it go after he was assured that gee, Lynn is a swell guy after all. Only Senator Chuck Grassley remains between Mr. Lynn and the job. And as Sen. Grassley noted, the Lynn nomination "gutted the ethical heart" of Obama pledge to keep lobbyists out of his administration.
No kidding.
I hope Sen. Grassly holds his ground. To paraphrase Yoda if I might, there is no trying to keep lobbyists out. There is either keeping them out or not keeping them out. Obama can't have it both ways.
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