Obama Administration Job Application Requests Info On Embarrassing Emails

New York Times:

Want a top job in the Obama administration? Only pack rats need apply, preferably those not packing controversy.

A seven-page questionnaire being sent by the office of President-elect Barack Obama to those seeking cabinet and other high-ranking posts may be the most extensive -- some say invasive -- application ever.

Read the whole story: New York Times

Comments

[harriscrl3]

Well y'all wanted change thi is what change is. Change from corruption and greed that infect our government.

Carol

[BabsfromKansas]

can't scream "lack of oversight"

[FirstShirt]

Did you ever had impure thoughts that could be disclosed in a polygraph and would embarass the President-elect?

This must be why they are going with so many Clintonistas and republicans. Can't find a few good men.

[amistad]

You are included in that last sentence?

[DanniD]

What is wrong with extensively questioning the people that will be in his employ? I thought that was called VETTING!!!

[retroredux]

in this day and age, of dirty political secrets coming out, and those in power looking foolish because they supposedly knew nothing about the secret, it would be poor business savvy to NOT ask these questions about candidates in high profile, high administration jobs.
I think what he's doing is right-better to ferret out the bad candidates first, winnowing the wheat from the chaff as it were.

[GravitonX]

Ring-wing blogs are absolutely abuzz with calls for seditious and subversive action. Forget Al-Quaida, they're like fleas on a rat in a cornfield compared to this bunch. Obama would be naive not to vet each applicant, and ironically, he may need those FISA laws for a far greater threat to this country.

[FirstShirt]

Admit it. If republicans did the same thing, and they did, you would be railing against the right wing. When the shoe is on the other foot it is all just peachy. How sad and lacking in objectivity.

Congress goes republican in 2010.

[amistad]

Don't get your panties in a bunch, dude.
First of all if the republicans did such a thing Palin wouldn't have been a vp choice and there would be several staffers that wouldn't have had a job in the bush administration, which could have resulted in a better run, more competent administration.
Secondly, Obama cannot afford a slip up or a slip in judgement with regards to his staff. This shows that people(and I use that term loosely here) like you, who want to b*tch about any and every little thing Obama does, have very little to b*tch about.
If you have nothing to hide, it should be no problem while covering Obama's a**. The man is brilliant.

[blaqntelligence]

Watching the incestuous relationships in DC these past years, I'm glad to see our new president actually behaving as The President.
Instead of handing out high profile, important positions to friends and friends of friends (".....hec­kuva job, Brownie") like so much halloween candy (most apropos considering the horror of these last 8 years), he is guaranteeing America, as much as humanly possible, because we've hired the best person for the job he, in turn, will do the same.
Most impressive.

[debrouillard]

If the republicans did the same,Bush would not be president,Remember Bush sr dirty closest,remember Barbara Bush comments and meaness?

If republicans did they same Cheney would not be PM with his Halliburton connection­s,Rumsfeld would not have been Secretary of state with his Iraqi-Saddam's connection. And this country would have been much better off.

[Skepticat]

The intent of a good vetting process is to eliminate dangerous surprises and obvious risks - and to know of any potential minor issues before hand so they can be up front about them and prevent months of manufactured controversies and regurgitated soundbites over something trivial.
Up front disclosure prevents the gotcha politics/journalism that has helped ruin the country. After months of Ayers & Rev Wright you don't really need the GOPers and MSM's to generate any more stupid distractions with an economy in meltdown. It may take a while to get used to it - but looks like you picked a very smart president.

[norkas]

I am very please that Obama is vetting potential canadiates for post in a more serious way then ever before.

Barak has learned this from others mistakes that were a embarassment to other admintrations/

[jesuswazasocialist]

How can I be a part of history and get a job in Obama's administration?

[FirstShirt]

Forget it if you have been blogging.

[DaisyDooks]

Go to change.gov and fill out the online application.

[pupbayer]

Has Vera Baker submitted hers yet?

[4akinderworld]

Non-issue. Google her and she only shows up on right-wing gossip blogs. Nothing to see here.

[zzxx]

Obama has been linked to every criminal, terrorrist, & tyrant. How long before we see his Marxist ways? How long before America stops him? The Pied-Piper is still impressing the weak & foolish I see. Good luck America.

[cruzan3]

I'm sure you never heard the work Marxist before this campaign..

[GravitonX]

Any changes Obama implements will be called Marxist by the right-wing crowd.

[Quaoar]

"Obama has been linked to every criminal, terrorrist, & tyrant"

Well he has met with Bush Recently.

[jobecky20]

And he also knows Dick Cheney.

[retroredux]

yes, tell us exactly what Marxist means-but please don't go look it up in your word a day calender.

So you read a lot of Marx, since you can so obviously pinpoint when a politician is following Marxist theory?

[suregena]

Haw haw. I'm laughing. Thanks!

[boomer1949]

There is no such thing as hiding information anymore; technology has made all of our lives open books and, if so desired, subject to extreme scrutiny. Many elements in our society get off on digging for dirt, scandal, embarrassment, and humiliation.

A number of years ago, I held a TS security clearance. Of the many things I was told prior to completing the questionnare, interview, and polygraph was "it is imperitive you answer all questions truthfully, honestly and to the best of your recollecti­on." Why? Because if one is not truthful and honest and the investigation process finds something (anything) not included, referenced, or documented by the applicant, it is considered a major issue. The liklihood of receiving a clearance or being selected for a position is greatly diminished or doesn't happen at all.

[oscartucker]

Glad you said this. Some of the people who will complain about this "vetting" process know that they, too, have applied for jobs in which they had to be "checked out". Some of the same ones have not gotten jobs because they thought they could "fudge" or outright lie. The McCain camp should have checked everyone out. Time and time again, people said if McCain's camp had just used Google, they would not have been surprised. And to all who keep thinking Obama is trying to "hide" so much, don't you know that someone who serves in state government and someone who serves in national government is checked out.

[junestag]

mmm, no, i don't like this approach by obama; seems hardline and fascist. everyone has embarrassing stuff and if they don't they are either really good at concealing (do we really want more of that skill?) or way to squeaky clean.

[amistad]

huh?
Too good or too bad?
What?

[SunshineDaydream]

i'm thinking you really don't understand the idea of fascism. since i am a giver, here you go:

a governmental system led by a dictator having complete power, forcibly suppressing opposition and criticism, regimenting all industry, commerce, etc., and emphasizing an aggressive nationalism and often racism.

[oscartucker]

You're being sarcastic, right?

[DaisyDooks]

Nope, I think Junestag's being dumb.

[debrouillard]

Do you the meaning of fascism?

It means when Corporations take control of the government.

How does that relates to being scrutinise so that they can seperate the Government from the corporation?

May be you wanted to say Anti-Fascim

[IhaveaDREAMwhitegirl]

glug, glug, glug...

[1differentdrummer]

Great, get it all out. That way what were thought to be just dust bunnies don't come roaring out from under the bed and gnaw on your ankles. This is a fresh start for the executive branch.

[mmopinion]

What a smart man - it still seems surreal that we actually now have someone with a brain, and who is calm, rational, and focused on his job as President.

He's cutting off any possibility of trouble before the Repubs can get their slimy claws on it. With the amount of information that's out there and that the right-wing can get ahold of, he's making an active effort to be prepared as much as possible with every employee. Very smart and clever.

[anais43]

I think it's an excellant idea..get everything out in the open..now. Kudos to Obama.

[jollyelle]

Interesting opening up those PDF's, we have a Holocaust Memorial Council and Joe Lieberman's wife is a paid member whose term ends in 2013. I didn't know she was employed by our government.