Intense Vetting Underway For Obama Hires: "You're Guilty Until Proven Innocent"

usatoday.com:

The first thing then-White House chief of staff Kenneth Duberstein did was apologize to the job candidate he was about to interview. He told him he was going to ask him very personal questions that would make them both uncomfortable.

"You're going to want to go home and take a shower when this is over -- and so am I," Duberstein says he told the candidate, a man whose privacy he insists on protecting, even two decades later.

Read the whole story: usatoday.com

Comments

[ensure]

Carla Bruni-Sarkozy would welcome Michelle Obama advice:
http://www.sefermpost.com/sefermpost/2008/11/carla-brunisarkozy-would-welcome-michelle-obama-advice.html

[kiran1207]

I don't understand the irony of the vetting process. BO's transition team is doing the right thing he is cleaning up washington corrupt politics by weeding out the bad ones. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this, BO and his team wants transparency and honesty in their officials, so this is part of the hiring process. Why is the media getting crazy over it. Do we want a more transparent and honest government or not?? If so, shut up and let them do their vetting process.

[nikky]

i haven't heard obama say anything the media makes up whatever they want and then run with it

[LemonMeringue]

ANOTHER TABLOID HEADLINE

Obama did not say those words. Some person not involved in the process said it.

There is more than one way of lying, HuffPo.

[BSERIUS]

evidently it does not apply to upper appointees such as AG,or Emmanuel

[ishok]

I admit I'm not a Hillary fan but I'm not a hater either. It bothers me that so many Repubs are so good with this Hillary choice. Obama has proven to be almost bullet-proof with his brand, strategy and tactics. His campaign was air-tight.
I believe that the repubs see the Clinton's as the Obama administrations Achilles heel. The one spot that they could exploit...starting with business relationships, women and whatever. Imagine Bill being caught overseas with some woman at some party or hotel room and Hillary having to deal with that...maybe a high profile divorce. DRAMA!
To the repubs it's like buying a lottery ticket or a penny stock...probably won't pay-off but if it does...

[whatsthatsound]

Personally, I keep all my skeletons in a dresser upstairs.

[artsandminds]

UNless your name is Clinton or Lieberman, than is all good, no matter what, bs

[mcantwell]

I see that the RedState and Rush/Hannity Trolls are out in full force again today.

[Pulemerci]

There is no way that Hillary Clinton will successfully pass the stringent vetting process set up by Team Obama. Bill's skeletons will come flying out of the closet ans sink her. But Obama knew that. Didn't he?

[artsandminds]

they are changing the rules for the Clintons, they are saying it is going to be from this point going forward, not look back into their history.

[SF13]

It is Clinton lawyers doing the vetting. Yeah going forward, Obama is ON the record saying all the library donations in the past had to be transparent. If he botches this vetting, his credibility is GONE !

[harriscrl3]

I HATE HATE how the Media is going about this. I wish they would STOP acting like Hilary and Eric Holder has gotten the job. What if the are several candidates the way they jump on one almost forces Obama to pick that person.

They need to STOP IT and use their time wisely and FOCUS on what Bush is doing because he is getting away with some stuff while they are OBESSING over Obama's cabinet pick.

Carol

[Grunty1]

If everyone stopped paying attention to the media, maybe they would get the message.

[Damaven]

The media always guides you the way they want you to focus.

[whatsthatsound]

The only vetting questions the Bush admin ever asked were, "Have you ever encountered an ethical dilemma? How did you profit from it?"

[Suzique]

I'm still laughing. This is the best and most accurate comment I have ever seen. Classic

[Grunty1]

Sounds 100% accurate to me, with the follow up question of

"If your superiors are involved, are you willing to take the fall for them?"

[Tom Joad]

Amen.

[Territc]

People, stop getting your knickers in a twist. Obama is a brilliant man whose has obviously thought of the consequences of every action he takes. This vetting is just want is needed - chase the skeletons out of the cupboards now. We don't need them or want them popping out of the closets during Obama's eight years as President. Secondly, a lot of people will drop out of the running for any of these jobs - they have too much baggage.

[artsandminds]

First of all, the first difference between “progressives” and the right (but certainly not the only difference) is that we hold our leaders accountable. So far Mr. Obama has let me down on this measure. For years we have seen unaccountability run amuck, Black Water, Scooter Libby, Paul Wolfowitz…and now Wall Street, no accountability for their actions, and we pay the price. Now Joe Lieberman, who will remain in charge of homeland security and HR Clinton, maybe, as Sec of State. So, the guy who was for the war, supported the republicans, and did nothing with his chairmanship to challenge Bush will now be rewarded, and Ms Clinton who supported the war, supported Bushes aggressions against Iran, and supported McCain, will be rewarded. This not change, this is what we have had over the last 8 years. How can we expect business or the public to take responsibility when our leaders do not?

[kiran1207]

I know it sounds difficult, but what should BO do, he has the task of unifying the left and the right and the moderates. BO has to be a moderate to be successful afterall we are a center right nation.

[Specialed]

Wow an administration that knows what its getting into. The main reason for such extreme vetting measures is to take away the faux scandal card from Faux Noise and its echo chamber of outraged idiots.

[Grunty1]

No, the real reason is to find the very best people who won't let their past skeletons interfere with their work!

[postboy]

ahaha.....now this wat a call vetting

[sweetholymosiah]

Are we supposed to just forget about the last 8 years because the new guys seem honest enough?