Obama Puts Greg Craig In Charge Of Vetting After Scandals

After decades moving through the revolving door between the private sector and government service, Gregory B. Craig has landed again at the White House, serving as counsel to a young administration in need of a steadying hand.

Less than three weeks into his tenure, Craig has already played an outsize role in shaping the Obama administration. He safely guided the transition team through a scandal in which the governor of Illinois sought to auction off President Obama's old Senate seat. He produced the four executive orders that defined Obama's opening act in office -- overturning Bush-era rules on detention of enemy combatants and torture -- and has crafted or is in the process of drafting as many as 35 other such documents on Obama's behalf.

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[Fez]

Here's an idea for Craig when he vets the next jobs: if the person has ever worked in DC or for either political party, he/she is a priori unqualified for the job. What we need in Congress are some intelligent average citizens who will stand up and say, "This is how you do things? You think THIS is all right?" The current clowns in Congress (and the Executive Branch) prove every day with their every utterance that familiarity breeds contempt. Contempt of Congress? It's not just a good idea, it's the law.

[Sugermen]

(1:45 PM) Robert Gibbs just got ask is there a change in the vetting
he answered not that he is a aware of.
Is he that far out of the loop or he is just stupid

[Sugermen]

I though the person who was doing it before did a great job...lol

[HC4BO]

So who was handling the vetting before ... ?

[TruthSeeker09]

Scandals? After what scandals? Based on the details of what actually happened, "scandals" seems a bit hyperbolic.

[AnnfromCA]

Meanwhile, yet another cabinet post is plagued by tax evasion. Talk about locking the door after the cows are out of the barn.

[ljc]

Who would that be? If you are referring to Hilda Solis, you will need to explain how her husband's business (which she is not a partner in ) has anything at all to do with your "yet another cabinet post is plagued by tax evasion" statement. Better do some research on that one. Here, I can help you out with that.
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/02/you-wont-believe-whos-helping-push-the-anti-solis-campaign.php

[vinny]

in college, Greg Craig was affectionately known as Greg "Keg" Craig...

[SEQUOIABISON]

Good move but it will not stop the scandal mongering Republicans, they hounded Bill Clinton every day of his presidency, Travelgate, WhiteWater, Arkansas Drug Deals, Vince Foster Murder, and on and on and on, granted he brought some of these investigations upon himself, like Monica Lewinsky, but for the most part they were fabricated lies, Hillary was right, it was a "Vast Right Wing Conspiracy" and it will not stop with Obama.

[festry548]

I think the most important question here is, has Craig paid HIS taxes?

I'm embarrassed for this administration so far. We could be doing so much better.

[hortonhearsawho2]

well, your sarah lost so, tuff luck pal...

[festry548]

Horton, I'm on Obama's side. I meant no disrespect, and I'm sorry my message came across poorly.

I'm embarrassed that, after all the big talk about Obama's intrusive vetting questionnaire, we have had so many nominees with tax problems. We would be doing so much better if the cabinet were already seated. Obama had a great first 7-10 days, and then everything started falling apart. Hopefully Craig will help stop the bleeding. Our government needs to get down to business NOW.

[legalgirl]

Mr. Craig, can I work for you? Do ya'll know how rare this kind of lawyer is? Thank goodness and thank you Mr. Craig.

[dredeize]

Great!! NOW we can steady this ship and get some work done!!

[Ogiv]

really setting the bar low for calling something a scandal

[the-lexicon]

the latest scandal is that Obama didn't eat all his toast at breakfast, and he let the girls put TWO scoops of sugar on their cereal. Michelle scolded him for that, and her morning goodbye kiss to Barack was decidedly more perfunctory than other mornings.

Let's see how the "scandal" unfolds...

lexicon