Ethics

Obama Releases Some Visitor Information

By Ed Brayton

A few hours after CREW filed a second lawsuit over the Obama administration's refusal to release visitor logs, this time involving visits by health care lobbyists and executives, the White House released a little bit of what was requested - while still claiming that it has no obligation to do so.

Within hours after the group announced it was filing suit, the White House relented, in part, saying it would voluntarily release the names and dates of visits. That is less information than is contained in the White House visitor logs, which would also show which White House employee requested the meeting, how long the person was at the White House, and other details. Despite the voluntary release, the Obama White House is still taking the same legal position as the Bush White House, arguing that release of the information is not required. A federal judge has twice rejected those arguments.

Full post as published by Dispatches from the Culture Wars on July 24, 2009 (boomark / email).