Obama's Citizen's Briefing Book Changes the Flow Of Information

Earlier this week, the Obama transition team launched a "Citizen's Briefing Book" on their Change.gov website. The venture aimed to create a virtual white paper, authored by engaged citizens, to pitch ideas to the incoming administration. Topics that were voted the most popular would make their way to Obama's desk.

As lines of Oval Office communication go, the concept is certainly novel. There are, usually, very few avenues by which individuals can directly engage the president. The Obama team is seeking to not only open up that the pipeline of communication but democratize it as well.

On Wednesday, the president-elect's team took the next logical step in the process: posting a video reply to some of the more popular suggestions made by website viewers. In a nearly four-minute YouTube clip, chair-designee for the White House Council on Environmental Quality Nancy Sutley, addressed issues on green jobs, mass transit and energy efficiencies.

The video was, in some ways, a way of recognizing and rewarding those who have participated in the Citizen's Briefing Book process. Though Sutley did not say much about how these topics will be approached legislatively -- save a few remarks about covering them in the forthcoming economic stimulus package -- she did provide a sense of the views among Obama's environmental and energy advisers.

This online tool and others are opening up the process by which the public obtains access to a presidential administration. They are also changing the dynamics of how a presidential administration interacts with the public.

Traditionally, the White House uses public statements, televised speeches and press conference to disseminate information broadly. These all rely, to a certain degree, on a media filter. By using the Internet to solicit ideas, and then by posting videos in response, the Obama team is removing that middleman. The public gets to present the policy suggestions that they deem most popular -- just as, with Change.gov's Open Questions site, they get to ask the questions bubbling most on their minds.

But the engagement goes only so far -- there remains a crucial limitation on follow up interactions, whether it be about policy pitches or question, unless another user else picks up the baton.

On Sunday, for instance, George Stephanopoulos asked Obama about the most popular question on his website: whether or not he would prosecute members of the Bush administration for breaches of the constitution. Obama fielded the question -- his website, citing a policy of not commenting on national security matters during the transition, had offered a previous response from Joe Biden -- but then was pressed twice more to explain his answer.

Comments

[unite4change]

Obama is just doing what he said he would do during his campaign. Why is this surprising? Did you not believe him?

[Coinyer101]

legalizing pot is the top topic,now, by far. the comment thread is full of fresh ideas.. 3X more than any other. you are free to post pretty much anything you want. doesn't seem to be strictly mod erated. i think the site is great. hope he listens. the people want change on this 70 year old civil wa r. regardless of whether or not our next President agrees. I think this is a valid test for real 'change'.

[lisa12345]

That is embarrassing. It makes lefties look selfish. Of all the important issues at hand right now--the main topic is legalization of pot? I can see it for medical reasons. I don't agree with recreational legalization, but I do not have a problem with someone having that point of view. My whine is in relation to the fact that this makes us look trivial. Selfish, too--during a time when so many Americans have much more pressing issues.

[lizr]

Uh - it may look trivial to you, and it's not really my issue, but the amount of money to be saved from not prosecuting pot users, and harassing them with helicopters etc, and the money to be made from TAXING legalized pot is nothing to sneer at in this ec climate.

[hopefullee]

Legalizing pot is not trivial. The war on drugs is a miserable failure and it's costing the country a ton of money. Like lisa said above, legalization and taxation would bring in tons of much need revenue to both business and the govt.

As far as "agreeing" with using pot for recreational purposes, I don't think anyone who has ever drunk alcohol has the right to make that statement.

[Coinyer101]

how many trillions have we wasted on this failed war? what about the possible new industries and JOBS!? what about the fortune we spend on courts cops deas jails prisons, etc. I disagree with you lisa, this has major implications domestically and in foreign affairs and national security. there is a war being waged on our border and from within. it is the top question because its more important than people just wanting to get high. the people have spoken. three times! now call people names like selfish , when they have fathers ,daughters , mothers, grandparents ,etc. rotting in our overcrowded prison and jail systems. for those of you who dont think this is a wide-ranging issue, you should go and read some of the tons of information being sent to the site on the comments thread. so sorry lisa. americans and obama supporters have spoken.

[Coinyer101]

i guess only YOUR issues are important. sad...,

[TLaw]

OH MY some of you Americans are bloody jack@sses! This man YOUR PRESIDENT is trying to find ways to govern you m or ons effectively and efficiently and all you wankers can do is bytch and moan before the man enters the starting gate! Give him a d amn chance for christ sake!

Again, I ask, why couldn't you guys be this vocal during Bush's tenure? can you imagine if you had what shape your country would be in right now??

Good grief what a nation of whiners!

[unite4change]

They are just mad because Obama is talking directly to the people instead of the media filtering their take on Obama's policies. Keep up the good work Obama. We don't need the middleman, forget the faux press, America is sick of the faux news. This is the way our government should work. Obama please continue to talk directly to the people.

[lizr]

actually some of us bitched and moaned for the last 8 yrs.

[blurredtruth]

Interesting...what will happen if and when goes wrong? Will the administration really being willing to "listen?" Doubt it.

[rasit]

Why not giving them the benefit of the doubt....May be things will go well too......

[QuestionEveryone]

Who believes this crap..it's a marketing ploy..He'll pick one and talk about it at the State of The Union..mark my words..a joke. He's willing to put a tax evader in charge of the IRS ..right out of the gate.. If your willing to accept illegal acts, and place this guy as Secretary of Treasury..what else are you willing to do..

[unite4change]

Don't be confused, this is not the Bush administration.

[Otis410]

This is a great concept. I hope it's worthwhile and that the President-Elect takes it seriously. Did you see that great post from the woman with Stage IV lung cancer (something about making history...)? I had no idea that lung cancer was so poorly funded in comparison to every other cancer and that so many more people die from it (more are non-smokers than I ever realized). That's the one that stood out to me.

Take a look at it. There were lots of interesting ideas, but I definitely voted that one UP. Sad story.

[unite4change]

The Bush administration did nothing for Main Street. Bush concentrated on his base as he call them, "the haves and the have mores". He would refers to this as an entitlement program.

[lotechgma]

Obama is looking for ways to stay connected to the people, and avoid being isolated; he doesn't want to lose touch w/ us! Ain't it wonderful?

[PoliticalAmazon]

I think it's more a case of him wanting to appear that he is concerned about what Americans feel is important.

If the log book was really to address America's concerns, he would give a freaking staight answer about investigating for war crimes.

That was the #1 question asked, and he just blew it off.

[unite4change]

Apparently, you have not been listening. He said he would leave it to the DOJ.

[Agent420]

Reading the posts here at Huffpo tells me one thing for sure. We sure do need to do something about our educations system. Would you buy a car from a company that produced a 40% defective product. That is the kind of product our education system is turning out now.

[trudem2]

Wow! A government that speaks directly to the people and lets them speak back! What a novel concept!! Why haven't the idiots in Washington come up with this idea sooner????

[demfriend]

I say people of the US of A, is it not a wonderful thing to have a President whoknows there is an internet and IS willing to both use it to have us, the citizens, be able to address issues that will be heard and responded to? After the Stupid is as stupid does we have had for the past 8 years who no doubt avoided the internet and email as to protect himself, if he knew how to use the computer to email... Got to wonder how much Bush ever knew about turning on the thing on the desk or not. But Barack Obama is attempting from the start to be engaged with the average citizen and that has to feel good after the "Bush years".

[davism97]

Could this be the beginning of news without spin? I like the idea of leaving the media corporations out of the news and getting it directly through the internet.

[unite4change]

Absolutely, that why the media is upset. They are calling it Obama 202.

[mb32]

For me, yes and no. It will be refreshing not to have the spin but I work in publishing (B2B not news) so I'm a little nervous about what is happening in the industry. One of our magazines is now only published online and a couple of people were laid off.

[cdub1991]

Just wish there was a better way of navigating through the briefing book. Perhaps they should try that Netflix javascript hover thingy.

[spiritpony1]

I, too, did not find the navi. that great; I do not know the javascript bit, but perhaps you should suggest it to them-----their techies should be just as open as the policy folks---thanks

[mnyegele]

The House has just approved an extension of SCHIPS, the measure that President Bush vetoed. Can the Senate just take 5 minutes out of their day to approve of SCHIPS so that measure can be on Obama's desk ready for a signature on Inaugeration Day.
Since Monday January 19, Martin Luther King's Brithday, is supposed to be a day of public service, perhaps the Senate can call a special session just to approve the extension of SCHIPS.
Obama has stressed the importance of TCB (taking care of business0 or hitting the ground running. Nothing could be a stronger statement that Obama and his Democratic team in Congress means business than signing SCHIPS into law the moment after Obama takes the oath of office.,
Could everyone reading this missive please contact their Senators now.
P.S. I'd also urge similar action on the Ledbetter Equal Pay for Women Act and the Free Employee Choice Act.

[TekBoss]

Change.gov is just that, change. And I have used it a ton with no tech. issues at all.

For thos eof you intent on getting answers to specific (are we gonna fry their a**es) questions. For God sake can't you wait until AFTER he is President for an answer! (hint hint).

[obamagal]

I second that.

[Havnagudtim]

Totally. I hope PEOTUS continues to exercise his power to say nothing until he is ready.

[unite4change]

TekBoss, Hip Hip Hooray, I agree.

[Krissycommunity]

Ever seen the movie, "Dave?" The lead character is a look-alike for the president and is recruited to stand in while the real president is in a coma. The look-alike realizes he has an opportunity to fix the country, and it wasn't all that difficult when approached with common sense.

This Obama tool of Internet communication is so common sense. Maybe he is our everyman who can fix this mess--or at least make an honest stab at it.

Krissycommunity
Working hard at www.sccworlds.com