Here is an excerpt from a speech given by Senator and presidential candidate Barack Obama in September 2008. “I’ll make our government open and transparent so that anyone can ensure that our business is the people’s business. As Justice Louis Brandeis once said, sunlight is the greatest disinfectant. As President, I will make it impossible for Congressmen or lobbyists to slip pork-barrel projects or corporate welfare into laws when no one is looking because when I am president, meetings where laws are written will be more open to the public. No more secrecy.”
Today C-SPAN has asked Congress to open the health care reform negotiations taking place “behind closed doors” to the media. It will be interesting to see the Administration reaction to this. You will notice President Obama’s comments do not just address actions of the Administration. He specifically refers to “. . . meetings where laws are written. . .”
In my three decades of following politics I do not remember a time when there were more shenanigans pulled by members of Congress in order to push through legislation that is resoundingly unpopular with the “folks.” I think the least the President and his congressional allies can do is allow us to watch them give us the proverbial finger.
I’d prefer that they don’t give us the finger, but I’d rather see it coming.
That is just the latest episode of what Jim Geraghty has termed an Obama campaign promise reaching its expiration date.