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Tamara N. Holder

Tamara N. Holder

Posted: June 5, 2010 01:18 AM

President Obama Directs Administration To Create The "Unprecedented Commission on Transparent Internal Investigation"

What's Your Reaction:
The White House
Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release: June 5, 2010

Memorandum From White House Counsel: President Obama Directs Administration To Create The "Unprecedented Commission on Transparent Internal Investigation"

My first-ever executive action was the unprecedented Transparency and Open Government Memorandum: "My Administration is committed to creating an unprecedented level of openness in Government...we will establish a system of transparency...openness will promote efficiency and effectiveness in Government."

Recently, questions and speculation have surrounded my operations with Congressman Sestak and Senate candidate Andrew Romanoff. Rest assured, just as we investigated allegations of improper conduct with regard to the Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich case, we similarly investigated every allegation with regard to Congressman Sestak and Senate-candidate Romanoff.

In all cases, we determined My Administration did not engage in any illegal or unethical conduct.

As a result of our successful conclusions, My Administration decided to create this first-ever internal, self-policing body. "Public participation and collaboration" is no longer needed (as previously thought) because we will review all allegations of improper conduct, apply the relevant law, evaluate ethical requirements, provide the public with the definitive ruling and post a lengthy press release on the White House website.

My Administration is Participatory: When I was President-Elect, my team sought to improve the quality of Governor Blagojevich's decision regarding who would fill My vacant Senate seat. After the Governor's arrest (for allegedly attempting to sell My seat), questions and speculation surrounded my alleged involvement in the Governor's decision-making process.

I had no [direct] contact with Governor Blagojevich; however, my choices of "qualified candidates" were shared with David Axelrod and Rahm Emanuel. Rahm Emanuel then "relayed these names to the Governor's office" and discussed the "strategic benefit" of each candidate with the Governor's Chief of Staff, John Harris. Through these conversations, I learned that Valerie Jarrett was not the Governor's top choice. As a result, I offered her a position with My Administration.

In an effort to maintain transparency, I arranged for My transition team to internally determine that there was "no indication of inappropriate discussions" with Governor Blagojevich. My participatory approach was unprecedented as it sought to improve the quality and effectiveness of Governor Blagojevich's decision.

My Administration is Collaborative: Collaboration "actively engages" those who want to be my ally. Politicians, former Presidents and fundraisers should use "innovative tools, methods, and systems to cooperate" with My Administration.

Recently, press reports have reflected "questions and speculation" about My Administration's collaborative efforts, specifically with regard to Congressman Sestak and Senate candidate Andrew Romanoff.

In an effort to avoid contested primaries, Congressman Sestak and Senate candidate Romanoff were offered positions within My Administration.

Rest assured, just like the Blagojevich internal investigation proved, I had no [direct] contact with either Sestak or Romanoff.

The Sestak Offer: Through the use of an unprecedented method, Rahm Emanuel "enlisted the support" and collaborative efforts of former President Bill Clinton, since President Clinton desires to remain actively engaged and relevant.

The Romanoff Offer: Andrew Romanoff chose not to collaborate with White House Deputy Chief of Staff Jim Messina by accepting a federal job in exchange for dropping out of the Colorado Senate primary. Our investigation revealed no internal wrongdoing. Instead, Romanoff failed to promote internal efficiency and effectiveness in My Administration.

My Administration's unprecedented investigations prove that internal "transparency promotes accountability and provides information for citizens about what their Government is doing."

Through this transparent memo, the American public can now see that external inquiry into any allegation of My Administration's conduct is unnecessary.

Upon the execution of this order, all questions shall be directed to the Unprecedented Commission on Transparent Internal Investigation.

Signed,
PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA

 

Follow Tamara N. Holder on Twitter: www.twitter.com/tamaraholder

 
 
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HUFFPOST BLOGGER
Tamara N. Holder
04:58 PM on 06/06/2010
It's really too bad that a person chooses not believe ANYTHING on Fox News. I am a Democrat, a liberal, an Obama supporter...and I'm not the only liberal employed by Fox. I feel bad for the people who have such a general/broad negative opinion of an entire network, that consists of hundreds of employees. There is nothing wrong with listening to a different perspective and agreeing to disagree. Thank you "Scott in Virginia" for understanding my position.
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Democrat in the South
Empathy, the most important word
10:10 AM on 06/05/2010
It doesn't matter who you are, how brilliant you are or what your credentials are, if you are associated in ANY way with FOX news, you have NO credibility with me. I don't believe ANYTHING you say. I don't believe anything any talk show host on Fox says. They have a clear agenda that is not in the best interest of America.
07:00 AM on 06/05/2010
I strongly disagree with you "freelyb!" Read this article again; it's Brilliant!

Remember, Tamara Holder is a Lawyer FIRST and a commentator second.

In this article, simply by using the Presidents own words and admissions, Ms. Holder CLEARLY PROVES a violation of a Federal Statute by President O'Bama that explicitly states:

"It is a federal felony, punishable by up to one year in prison, to attempt to bribe a candidate with a federal job, or anything of value, to influence an election."

This is an Impeachable Offense!

Without injecting any of her personal feelings, Tamara Holder is also able to remind us how millions of Americans RAN to the polls on election day to bring in Barack O'Bama's PROMISED platform of "Open & Transparent" Government!

It seems to me that it is only "Open & Transparent" AFTER being caught in wrong doing.

Ms. Holder allows the reader to decide for themselves whether or not this is "Change we can Believe in."

Any Blogger can give you their "two cents" worth of opinion. Tamara Holder is a bit more Cerebral than that.

"Silly?"….I think not! Holding Government Officials ACCOUNTABLE is the responsibility of the people. In that regard, we should all be grateful that OUTSPOKEN Intelligent Lawyers like Tamara Holder are paying attention on our behalf!
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03:15 AM on 06/05/2010
Well, that was silly.