Bush Bans State Department Officials From Obama Rally

In a flagrant political act, the State Department has barred its employees from attending Sen. Barack Obama's speech in Berlin tonight. Under the pretense that he is maintaining political neutrality, the Washington Post reported today, State Department Undersecretary for Management Patrick F. Kennedy has interpreted the Foreign Affairs Manual in the most restrictive way, claiming that he is ensuring that foreign service officials will remain untainted by a "partisan political act." (Spouse and family members, however, have generously been excluded from this ruling.) The U.S. embassy, which is headed by ambassador Robert Timken, a businessman and crony of George W. Bush's from Ohio, who is widely reviled in Germany for his ignorance of foreign affairs, has instructed officials not to attend the rally. The American Foreign Service Association has complained about the edict but there's not enough time to dispute it. Funny that.

The truth is that there would probably be few better opportunities for embassy officials to get a feel for the views of the Germans by mixing with them during the rally. Of course, the sentiments expressed by Germans, who worship Obama as much as they loathe George W. Bush, might not be ones that the administration is eager to hear.

Indeed, the administration has a long and tawdry record of trying to browbeat government agencies into submission, whether it's the CIA or the Centers for Disease Control. The State Department is perhaps highest on the list of conservatives and neocons who see it as the center of disloyalty and treachery. But this latest action represents a new low. If it's going to these lengths, the Bush administration must be really worried about Sen. John McCain's prospects.

Comments

[Nativson]

"Police" State Dept? Right up there with Chinese democracy. What is Axl Rose doing these days anyway?

[BlahBlahBlog]

I think the Bush adminstration has even stopped trying to appear neutral or fair or unbiased or informed.

[MalamuteMan]

You mean they used to try to "appear" to be neutral or fair???

[C65]

BlahBlahBlog,
When were they trying?,they were acting and when they found out they didn't win
the OSCAR,they returned to themselves. When you're EVIL to the core it's hard
to pretend you're LIVE,the reverse of evil.

[MartyParrish]

Wow.

You can fight and die for this country. You can work for the government of this country. But God help you if are in the military or a public servant of the US of A and you get involved in the politics of this country!

[BinBaldwin]

This was the correct decision by the President. This is a campaign stop . Not some official visit.

[kroses98]

It was an act of pure cowardice on Bush's part. He knows how good Barack will be (and he was), and he is scared to death it will detract from his "buddy" McBush's inferior ability (and his own) to speak!!! We ALL know that, and he only served to bring this to the forefront!!!

[Davwbaird]

its a loathsome decision by the worst president in the history of the world.

[joebaggadonuts]

This is as much a campaign stop as any visit by GWB has been, BB. Get over yourself.

[Chillinout]

Regardless of whether it is a campaign stop or not, the Repugs just violated the law AGAIN!

[FOXYLADY]

It doesn't matter BinBaldwin!! Just mentioning it and making an issue of Obama's speaking in Germany is proof of the instability and arrogance of this administration.

[ljmck]

Well, yeah, they certainly don't want to be seen promoting anything postive about the U.S. Not our Bushies! They'll be ridiculed in Europe for this, but that won't be new.

On the other hand, it's naive to imagine that our embassies exist for much more than promoting business and attempting to exert control.

[Bobzmcishl]

At this point in Bush's tenure, there isn't much we should be surprised at. We should just be thankful he will be back in Dallas in January 2009. Obama has shown today, he truly is a person of the world and a noble representative of our country even if he is not yet president. It will be nice to be liked once again in the world.

[prpolk1]

Well this resident of Dallas is not thankful that he'll be here in 2009! LOL!!

I do agree, an Obama presidency would be great. Would be the first time in a long time class was in office!!

[pilgrim7]

Another blow to freedom under this dictator's administration. BTW, are those who are FORBIDDEN to attend this "political" event grownups or persons under 18?

[kwijibo]

With respect, the Foreign Affairs Manual (FAM) is very clear on this matter. It's a matter of Public Law and International Treaty and not a matter of executive discretion on the part of whoever the president is at the time.

Each state department employee is required to sign a Statement of Understanding before they are posted abroad and every year thereafter in which they specifically acknowledge certain things and this is specifically mentioned in that Statement.

There's no sinister plot, no conspiracy in the shadows. It's all out front, clear and plain. It's a matter of law. It's a matter of treaty.

Go to http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/85177.pdf and down to page 6 to "3 FAM 4123.3 Political Activities."

I hope this has cleared things up. I know some of you may choose to ignore the facts but the facts are there and the rule is clear and all state department personnel posted overseas are aware of it.

[Aimleft]

I am a government employee and am not allowed to participate in political activities of any kind while on "government time." But after hours, my time is my own. I would not be prohibited from attending ANY political event. What's the difference here?

[whatfreshhellisthis]

Actually, the State Dept publication is NOT very out front, clear and plain. It merely says that State Dept employees serving abroad may not participate in partisan political activities. So the Hatch Act is the place to look for an interpretation of the phrase partisan political activities. Mere attendance at a speech or rally, without overt activities on the part of the employees, such as fundraising or passing a petition is not prohibited.

[kroses98]

Yeah, RIGHT!!!

[Davwbaird]

attending on their time a relevant american event regardeless, incognito, like who would know, the ban is petty and does not apply.

[joebaggadonuts]

Listening to a speech is NOT a political activity. Carrying banners proclaiming that the State Department supports a particular candidate IS a political activity. Where did you go to law school?

And how many times did this MisAdministration violate this very same law in other codifications by turning federal agency activities into political strategy sessions and fund raising events? Any why doesn't Congress investigate and have the DoJ prosecute?

Get your head out, man.

[ReElectNoOne]

Ever the self-centered, paranoid control freak. Bush is constantly proving why he should never have been elected to public office. He is afraid his own people will finally see what people really want instead of what Bush keeps telling them what people want.

So someone will tape it and they will watch it later, or just sneak in and watch from the wings. What can he do considering their jobs are near end anyway? The only one's Obama might want to keep are those willing to appear despite Bush...those who obey and stay away are his "yes men" and no other administration will want them anyway.

[SCHx]

Typical of the the conservative mindset to give lip service to "individual rights" while trampling on those rights at every opportunity. More importantly, what is the Bush administration so afraid of at this point in time?

[mikey683]

Surprisingly, the State Department is not an arm of the Obama campaign.

[joebaggadonuts]

Right, it's an arm of the Republican Party campaign. LOL.

[rudiy]

I would like to see the State Department fire one civil servant for not be allowed to exercize his freedom of assembly and speech. Let see what the strict constructionists say.

[DasBoot]

Is this the same administration that gave Powerpoint presentations about how federal employees can help Republican candidates, in flagrant violation of the same Hatch Act they are now pretending to enforce?

[DasBoot]

Again, where is secretary Rice? Isn't she supposed to protect her people from the neocon ideologues, as even Colin Powell did on occasion? Nope, good old reliable water carrier Condi.

[naschkatze]

Rice was the one who gave the same order in Iraq and Afghanistan so I am assuming she is the one who gave it in Berlin. The diplomatic corps ignored her first order, and I am wondering if there were any brave souls in Berlin who did too.

[DougNTexas]

Did this move by the Bush Administration surprise anyone? Freedom and Democracy for the neocons means the top 1%, and screw everyone else. Fighting in Iraq isn't about freedom, it's about Oil. It always was about Oil. The only mass destruction i have been worried about during the Bush Presidency has been mass destruction to the US Constitution. We get what we deserve. How Bush could have even came close in the 2004 electoral college is a national disgrace.

[nomorebombs]

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