Obama and Transparency

Now just because I am proud of the racial progress made with Obama's election doesn't mean I won't hold him accountable when 'suspect stuff' goes down while he is in the White House.

One of his biggest weaknesses had during his campaign and continues to have is his limited media access, and a recent memo only highlights the problem.

From Washington Post:

From: Larry Strickling
Date: November 6, 2008 6:58:14 PM EST
To: itw-policygroups
Cc: Priya Singh
Subject: . . . Rerminder–Decline All Reporter Interviews and Speaking Requests

This is a reminder that our communications department has directed all of you, as policy committee members, to decline all requests from reporters and all speaking invitations regarding the transition, the Administration’s priorities and related issues. If you are contacted by a reporter to discuss these matters, please refer the reporter to Priya Singh at psingh@barackobama.com. If you receive an invitation to speak on these issues at a conference or meeting, please decline the request. At this point in time, there is no one to whom to refer the request and do not offer to do so on behalf of the organization extending you the invitation. We realize these requirements may appear Draconian but so soon after the election, with the transition effort just being organized, it is important that no one who was involved with the campaign and the policy committees be speculating in public on these sensitive matters.

Not really sure what to think of this just yet, but troubling at first sight...