Since Obama vowed to usher in a new era of transparency and accountability, I thought it was only appropriate that we, too, monitor the decisions he makes in the White House, for better or for worse.
Use this thread to inform each other of Obama's doings and the effects of his doings, so that some time down the road, we'll have something to look at when we're judging his efficacy as President.
January 21st, 2008
The Obama Administration is drafting executive orders calling for Guantanamo Bay's closure within a year.
The Administration is calling for a policy requiring the Army field manual for interrogations to apply to all people in U.S. custody. This is aimed at closing any potential loophole that might allow the CIA to engage in what many say are coercive interrogations.
Obama freezes pay for senior staff, signs ethics guidelines. "
The pay freeze affects the roughly 100 White House employees who make more than $100,000 a year. "Families are tightening their belts, and so should Washington," Obama said"
Obama's new lobbying rules will ban aides from trying to influence the administration when they leave his staff. Those already hired will be banned from working on matters they have previously lobbied on, or to approach agencies that they once targeted. The rules also ban lobbyists from giving gifts of any size to any member of his administration.
"Devoting swift attention to the Mideast turmoil, Obama prepared to give George Mitchell, the former Senate Democratic leader, a top diplomatic post for the region."
Obama said he would change the way the federal government interprets the Freedom of Information Act. He said he was directing agencies that vet requests for information to err on the side of making information public — not to look for reasons to legally withhold it — an alteration to the traditional standard of evaluation.
Obama began his morning with meetings with his top economic advisers, which meshed with quickened efforts in Congress to add top Cabinet officials to the roster of those confirmed on Tuesday and to advance the economic stimulus measure that is a top priority of his administration.
Orders to close Guantanamo facility drafted, officials say - CNN.com
Obama's first day: Pay freeze, lobbying rules - White House- msnbc.com
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