Despite campaign promises that special interests would not have access to his administration, President Barack Obama has welcomed a number of lobbyists, Democratic fundraisers, and movie stars to the White House, government records show.
After a request by the Associated Press for records of visitors to the White House, the Obama administration released lists on two occasions, both timed to avoid media focus and public attention. The first was late on Friday, October 30. The second was released the day before Thanksgiving. The deliberate timed release, however, does not end questions about the administration's actions and what appears to be a cozy relationship with lobbyists and special interests.
Before he was elected President, Barack Obama made numerous promises (including one in the video below) to keep lobbyists and the influence of special interests out of the White House. Since he has taken office, however, President Obama and his staff have met with dozens of lobbyists and special interests representatives, records show.
The Obama Administration's efforts to keep banks solvent has led to a number of banking CEOs and lobbyists getting "face time" with the President. Among those who have visited the White House are Ed Yingling, a registered lobbyist and chief executive of the American Bankers Association (ABA). He has met with Obama four times since taking office, more times than he has met with Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan. Camden Fine, a Washington lobbyist and chief executive of the Independent Community Bankers of America, met with Obama at least four times.
Obama's charge to reform health care has coincided with a number of lobbyists and CEOs visiting the White House, including lobbyist Steve Elmendorf (who represents United Health Group), Kaiser Health CEO George Halvorson, Blue Cross and Blue Shield president and CEO Scott Serota, health care lobbyist Kenneth Kies, and drug industry lobbyist Billy Tauzin (PhRMA).
The AP investigation into White House records found a number of high-profile Washington lobbyists visited, including Laird Burnett (Kaiser), Joshua Ackil (U.S. Oncology), Alissa Fox and Kris Haltmeyer (Blue Cross/Blue Shield), Amador Aguillen (Pfizer), Jane Horvath (Merck), and Jonathan Hoganson (PhRMA).
A number of Obama fundraisers and supporters have visited the White House since January. Anthony Podesta, a Democratic fundraiser, lobbied at the White House at least five times since Obama took office. Andrew Stern, president of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), has visited the White House 22 times. SEIU has been a vocal supporter of Obama's policies, and SEIU members beat up an African American Tea Party protester at an August town hall meeting.
A number of high-profile personalities have met with President Obama. Microsoft founder Bill Gates had an Oval Office visit with Obama in March of 2009. Microsoft has been the focus of a number of government investigations, as well as an anti-trust suit in 1998. Among the celebrities who have gained access to the White House and administration officials are George Clooney, Oprah Winfrey (who endorsed Obama during the election), and Denzel Washington.
SOURCE: Associated Press, via Yahoo News 10/31/09, Yahoo News, 11/26/2009
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