Transition Team Media Call Liveblogging
11 November 2008 11:21 am by Taylor Marsh
BY TAYLOR MARSH
–updated–
The call was started by Nick Shapiro for John Podesta, co-chair of President-elect
Obama and Vice President-elect Biden’s transition team, who ran the call. A good deal of the focus was on lobbyists, which Obama-Biden Transition team outlined and you can see at the bottom of this post. (NOTE: No editorial comments are provided in the liveblogging below.)
–Insert noisy banter in the background here– as the briefing was “over
capacity.” Popular briefing today.
“Power of our democracy” was reaffirmed by the election.
At the Bush-Obama meeting, Bush reasserted his support for an orderly transition.
“We have only one president at a time,” but Obama wants to “hit
the ground running on January 20th.”
The Obama-Biden administration will be “efficient, organized, bi-partisan,
and more transparent than any before.” Josh Bolton and others in the Administration
have been “extremely cooperative,” Podesta added.
Economy first priority of Obama-Biden administration.
National security issues will also be engaged.
Obama-Biden administration: 450 people, with $12 million; security clearances
have been granted and are continuing. Releasing Obama-Biden ethics rules today,
especially where lobbyists are concerned. No money from federal lobbyists will be taken from transition team. “Strictest and more far reaching”
in history. Anyone lobbying in past 12 months will be excluded from working
in policy for the first 12 months. Gift ban will be instituted, same as was
passed and championed by Obama. November 17th, some new people will be in their
offices. Names will be posted on change.gov,
along with bios of team members.
continuing…
UPDATED, reporters questions answered below, though hard to hear, listening over phone line, so grabbing media outlet not possible.
An economy recovery program should be passed “sooner rather than later. What was discussed with President Bush? Private meeting, but they did talk about the economy recovery program, as well as the auto industry, and people “staying in their homes.”
Obama wants to “rely on science.” Again, couldn’t hear question over conference call line.
Obama is taking advice from people during transition about economy, including the auto industry, relying on inside advisors, as well as those from the outside. When a decision is made we’ll let you know.
What you ought to expect is that for senior people Obama will announce them, likely from Chicago. White House announcements will come as they are hired, with Rahm Emanuel having a role in announcing them.
Podesta said he was glad for the next question. The topic of Columbia came up, but there was no quid pro quo in the conversation between Bush and Obama. The reports this morning were not accurate. Our relation is “collegial, cooperative,” and Podesta knows Bolton. When things need to be addressed, we “know how to pick up the phone.”
call continuing…
No president other than Bush 41 has made cabinet announcements before Dec., going back to J.F.K. We’re concentrating hard on economic and national security appointments. Traditionally, certain cabinet appointments have been confirmed within a day or two. This is a process that will require cooperation from Congress and the Administration, including background checks. So far “that has moved smoothly.” We’re “hopeful” that we can do better than has been done in the past, as the country is “experiencing two wars,” as well as “Al Qaeda,” and an economic crisis.
call continuing…
“Excellence is the first criteria” for anyone coming in. Diversity on all levels will be considered so that the government is opened up, which coincides with Obama’s message of transparency. He wants to see more than a “token” level of inclusiveness, including Independents and Republicans. Having people who agree with his philosophy, regardless of party.
More emphasis on lobbyists and the role going forward, with the strictest rules every applied.
call continuing…
“Great respect for Secretary Gates,” but we will have a full team at the Pentagon, and will meet with key advisors on all matters. [...]
“Chief of staff designated… What are we going to call Emanueal… Rambo….” but the “Columbia Free Trade Agreement should be dealt with on its own merits.”
couldn’t hear question… Podesta: “This is known as triangulation.” No guidance for you today. (Again, couldn’t hear the comment from the media outlet.)
Obama has received many congratulatory messages and calls from foreign leaders, but he has not met with any foreign leader. [...]
“Where to put the binoculars…” to see who Obama is meeting with, on some cabinet level positions. [...]
IRAQ: Obama’s position remains as it was in the campaign. On the SOFA, we haven’t had a briefing on that within the last day. Obama “remains concerned” that the immunity of troops is “sacrosanct.”
Good communication re: economy, including the G-20 meeting, but there is one president at a time. It “isn’t appropriate for two people to show up at this meeting.”
President-elect Obama will not be having any meetings with the G-20 leaders, not in Chicago or Washington.
call continuing…
On executive orders: Obama wants all executive orders “reviewed.” “We’ll review all the executive orders the president has issued.” In consultation with leaders on Capitol Hill. On stem cell research, what “Obama said in the campaign will be fulfilled.”
call continuing…
Obama “intends” to act on Gitmo. Complicated on what and how it’s done. When a decision is made it will be announced.
–END CALL–
Obama Transition Announces Rules for Lobbyists in Transition:
Washington, DC: During a briefing today at the Presidential Transition Team
headquarters, Obama Transition Co-Chair John Podesta announced the strictest,
and most far reaching ethics rules of any transition team in history. The
rules are:· Federal Lobbyists cannot contribute financially to the transition.
· Federal lobbyists are prohibited from any lobbying during their
work with the transition.· If someone has lobbied in the last 12 months, they are prohibited
from working in the fields of policy on which they lobbied.· If someone becomes a lobbyist after working on the Transition,
they are prohibited from lobbying the Administration for 12 months on matters
on which they worked.· A gift ban that is aggressive in reducing the influence of special
interests.Statement of Thomas Mann, Brookings Institution
“The ethical guidelines released today for the Obama transition are
tough and unequivocal. They will prevent some honorable people with rich
experience from serving in the transition. That is a real cost but it is
more than balanced by the strong signal sent by the President-elect. He
aspires to attract to government able individuals whose highest priority
is to serve the public interest. This is a very constructive step in that
direction.”Statement of Norm Ornstein, American Enterprise Institute
“Restoring trust in government is a prerequisite to enacting good
policy and the tough choices the country needs. This ethics policy for the
transition is a far-reaching, bold and constructive step to do just that.
The policy may exclude some good people with deep experience in their fields,
but it will also exclude those who see government service as a springboard
to financial success, or who are more intent on pleasing future potential
employers or clients than making tough choices in the public interest. As
much as anything, this ethics policy is a statement about the tone and tenor
of the Obama administration. It is a good sign.”Statement of John Podesta, Co-Chair of President-elect Obama and Vice President-elect
Biden’s Transition Team“President-elect Barack Obama has pledged to change the way Washington
works and curb the influence of lobbyists. During the campaign, federal
lobbyists could not contribute to or raise money for the campaign. Today,
the President-elect is taking those commitments even further by announcing
the strictest, and most far reaching ethics rules of any transition team
in history.”
