Brown Bashes Obama: Don't Make Ethics Rules You Won't Follow

Brown Bashes Obama: Don't Make Ethics Rules You Won't Follow

By Noel Sheppard (Bio | Archive)
Sat, 01/24/2009 - 13:43 ET

It only took a few hours for President Barack Obama to go back on his executive order concerning the imposition of stricter limits on lobbyists that wish to work for the White House, and CNN's Campbell Brown is quite displeased.

Not only did she begin Friday's "No Bias, No Bull" voicing her disgust about "the Obama administration now [wanting] a waiver to its own rule," but she also wrote a commentary about the matter which was published at CNN.com later that evening.

For what it's worth Campbell, I'm impressed (video and transcript below the fold, h/t NB reader Patrick, file photo):

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CAMPBELL BROWN, HOST: But, first, tonight, "Cutting Through The Bull."
Just a couple of nights ago, we heaped praise on the new president for announcing what he called a new era of openness, where in his administration transparency would rule the day and the lobbyists that he was so critical of during the campaign, well, he told us they will now face even tougher new restrictions.
Here is what he said.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARACK OBAMA,PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The executive order on ethics I will sign shortly represents a clean break from business as usual. As of today, lobbyists will be subject to stricter limits than under any -- under any other administration in history.
If you are a lobbyist entering my administration, you will not be able to work on matters you lobbied on, or in the agencies you lobbied during the previous two years. When you leave government, you will not be able to lobby my administration for as long as I am president.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BROWN: Now, that's what he said two days ago.
But, as we first told you last night -- and, sadly, we are learning more about this today -- President Obama already wants an exception to his own rule. You see, what happened is, there is this former lobbyist for a big defense contractor called Raytheon. His name is William Lynn. And President Obama wants him to be deputy defense secretary.
So, the Obama administration now wants a waiver to its own rule, which basically means it is saying, we will mostly put tough new restrictions on lobbyists, except when we won't.
Really? Is this how it's going to be? Please, please don't make us all any more cynical than we already are, Mr. President. If you have no intention of abiding by your new rules, then don't make new rules. That would be actual transparency.

Nicely done, Campbell. Keep it up.

—Noel Sheppard is the Associate Editor of NewsBusters. Follow him at Facebook and Twitter.

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Get ready for Obama's form

Sat, 01/24/2009 - 13:50 ET by gopsteve

Get ready for Obama's form speech:

"You can't just listen to [Campbell Brown] and get things done."

- or -

"That's not the executive order I knew."

I'll append another. If

Sat, 01/24/2009 - 14:35 ET by GregE

I'll append another.

If questioned, he'll start with.....

"uuuh, no, what I said was..."

Campbell better watch it,

Sat, 01/24/2009 - 13:52 ET by msh1973

Campbell better watch it, she just might get a "pink slip" from CNN. It won't be long before she apologizes for her hasty judgment of the "Chosen One".

She could end up getting her

Sat, 01/24/2009 - 14:36 ET by GregE

She could end up getting her show pulled and be demoted to just another 2-day-a-week'er on a Dobb's panel.

Give credit where credit is due

Sat, 01/24/2009 - 15:14 ET by KC Mulville

Hey, she stood up and pointed out the hypocrisy. We have to encourage this sort of bravery. Funny that we have to defend her from her own network. Or, maybe we can hope that CNN knew what she was going to say and allowed her to say it - wouldn't that be "change?"

We bash them when they're wrong, but we should encourage them when they're right.

I agree to a point. The

Sat, 01/24/2009 - 22:35 ET by GregE

I agree to a point. The reaction is to praise this that she did. And yes, I'm glad to see it. But in reality, it should neither get praise or scorn. It simply should be expected of the newsmedia. But as we all know, the media has become so blatantly bias that it skews the way we view objectivity. We praise it, yet we should simply EXPECT it as normal. Unfortunately, it's not normal.

Understood

Sun, 01/25/2009 - 01:04 ET by KC Mulville

But if all we do is criticize negatively, then we're not being honest. We'd be viewing them with the same prejudiced eye that we criticize them for. What makes our criticism of them honest is the fact that we appreciate it when they get it right.

Excuse me I don't believe I

Sun, 01/25/2009 - 10:24 ET by msh1973

Excuse me I don't believe I criticized her, I was merely pointing out that she had better watch her back.

Fair enough

Sun, 01/25/2009 - 15:05 ET by KC Mulville

With that, I agree.

They are all the

Sat, 01/24/2009 - 13:55 ET by motherbelt

They are all the same.

This is just like Congress making hiring rules and affirmative action rules that they themselves don't follow, because they (supposedly) need to be able to hire the best people *the rest of us don't.

The back-pedalling has started. He isn't subject to his own standards, you know; he is above all that.

Rules are for suckers (the underlings you can force them on).

Campbell.....

Sat, 01/24/2009 - 14:02 ET by AnotherFedUpOne

Campbell, Campbell....dont you know what you have just done? Did someone slip an extra exspresso into your latte today? Dont you know that kind of reporting on CNN could cause you to loose your program and that "That One" could ban you forever?

I sit here amazed that she acutally reported that......

Methinks the main reason Ms

Sat, 01/24/2009 - 14:07 ET by midnight cowboy

Methinks the main reason Ms Brown stuck her finger in the eye in the mighty "O" with this, is that the lobbyist in question is from a defense contractor, and we all know how much the libs hate those evil defense contractors. I would wager that if the person in question was a farm subsidy or enivromental lobbyist, Brown would have kept her piehole shut.

plus the administration hadn't

Sat, 01/24/2009 - 14:14 ET by porpoiseboy

had time to explain how in this instance, the "he's the only guy that can do the job" rule, superceeded their publicly stated policy. look soon for a "uh, okay" from her to make it all better.

"Here comes the orator! With his flood of words, and his drop of reason" Ben Franklin

Ecclesiastes 10:2 The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left

Hey

Sat, 01/24/2009 - 14:08 ET by 10ksnooker

You didn't really intend to follow those rules, did you.

Remember Nanny Peloser and how that all went with the ethics rules? Hey Charlie Rangel, tax cheat now writng the tax laws. Don't forget to write around your transgressions.

Hey, this isn't Kenya, we still have brains out here ...

Encourage them

Sat, 01/24/2009 - 14:13 ET by doug1950

Conservatives need to encourage the MSM when they do get it right even if they accidentally swerve into the truth. The MSM lives off popularity and little else. We can't accuse them of not being fair, then when they are ridicule them for not being fair enough. My wife and I were talking this morning and she made the comment, "I think the media has had their OH Sh*t moment and is starting not to love this horse they back, bet on and put into office and it has not been a whole week. They are realizing what most here knew all along. We have a man-child sitting in the WH surrounded by old Clintonistas. What we have is a succotash of Carter II, Clinton and Mr Soros running the country, while in the GOP we have McCain, Snow, Graham, Collins and the other band of misfits and RINOs "crossing the aisle" and running interference for them.

doug

Sat, 01/24/2009 - 14:19 ET by Noel Sheppard

doug,

I thought that's what I did. ns

NS

Sat, 01/24/2009 - 14:27 ET by doug1950

Yes, you did. I was speaking in general to anyone and everyone not you in particular. In essence I was agreeing with you. Sorry for any confusion that indicated otherwise. Occasionally, we tend to rail against liberals for every reason. Sometimes even one of them come up for fresh air and see the light. Once in a great while one even realizes they have been wrong for so long and change, and walk to the light. Keep up the good work. It is appreciated more than you know.

Why the heck should we have

Sat, 01/24/2009 - 15:05 ET by

Why the heck should we have to "encourage" someone to do their danged JOB??? The fact that you think your "encouragement" matters in the slightest bit shows me that you don't have a clue about the fight your in.

At least Noel had the sense to phrase it, "For what it's worth Campbell, I'm impressed". Showing that he knows full well that liberals are not moved by your nods of ascent. They HATE you. If years of calling the President a NAZI, with NO ONE being condemned for the practice by the MSM, doesn't tell you that, I don't know what will. This is the big leagues pal, not a pick up game at the "Y". This is the league where murder is the result of votes and "initiatives" and the feculent rotting hole where a liberals soul should be is filled with bile.

One of Obama's FIRST things to do was to ENSURE that MILLIONS OF BABIES CAN NOW BE MURDERED WITH YOUR TAX MONEY OVERSEES! While he tells any idiot Rick Warren type that he's a "Christian", to get your stupid votes. Wake up. You're not on their "playlist".

Ever see the movie, "How to Murder Your Wife", starring Jack Lemmon and Virna Lisi, circa 1960? Lemmon stars as a womanizing cartoonist ensconced in Manhattans upper crust, who wakes up married next to a stripper he met at a friends bachelor party. In the climax, after he's blamed for her death, ( she's not dead, she's hiding till he realizes he loves her but circumstantially it looked like he wanted to do her in), he gives his "closing arguments" to the jury. He asks the all male jury to imagine a world without, "Ethel, Hilda or Agnes, etc". He goes on a rant about the evils of women and at the end in a stirring musical number, he draws a chalk "button" on the rail of the jury box. He tells the men to IMAGINE LIFE WITHOUT SAID WOMAN. He then lures them in as only Lemmon could, and tells them that if they press the "button", Hilda, Agnes or whoever would "Cease to be". They wouldn't be killed but they would no longer be here on earth. Not killed, just GONE. One by one as they sing, I believe, "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow", they all press the button, to the chagrin of their still animate wives. Great flick. THAT'S HOW THEY FEEL ABOUT YOU . And for years you've been kissing their butts and getting nothing but turd breath. They've already listened to one of their "leaders" John Lennon whose satanism is chronicled in "They Sold Their Souls for Rock and Roll by Joe Schimmel. They've IMAGINED a world without God and they're intent on making that a reality. If they've excluded Jesus from their world what makes you think they want YOU in it?

Thanks

Sat, 01/24/2009 - 15:30 ET by doug1950

for the movie review but I do not go to or watch movies. It supports Hollywood. Take care of your own dirty laundry first and go take your meds. You ride in here on your moral high horse and accuse others of not understanding the fight. Some of us have been in this fight in and out of uniform for decades. Excuse me if I want to encourage someone for pointing out hypocracy. No one died and left you in charge. Check yourself and make sure you are packing enough ass before you decide to do any heavy bulldozin.

Good point

Sat, 01/24/2009 - 17:16 ET by general company

It supports Hollywood.

That is why I watch old movies, when Hollywood was full of patriots, and talent.

"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg

doug and gc...Ditto...

Sat, 01/24/2009 - 19:50 ET by PrairieSky

We extremely rarely go to the movies...The last movie that I went to was in 2007 and it was Amazing Grace...It was about William Wilberforce, the British, devout christian member of parliament that worked for and ended up being responsible for the end of the slave trade in England during the 1800's. It was a wonderful film, and one of the rare films that has been worth my time and money. The last movie that I went to see before that was around the year 2000.

"That is why I watch old movies, when Hollywood was full of patriots, and talent." Exactly.

We do have dvd and vhs movies at home, but we are extremely choosy about what movies we spend our money on. We are huge old movie buffs in our house...Films made back in the days when there was still a lot of talent in the industry and those in the industry were still proud of their country, and weren't hell-bent on trashing it to audiences all over the world. Some of the crap that has come out of Hollywood in recent years has been almost treasonous.

"...peace is the highest aspiration of the American People. We will negotiate for it, sacrifice for it, we will never surrender for it, now or ever." President Ronald Reagan~ January 20, 1981

I guess I am one

Sat, 01/24/2009 - 20:21 ET by doug1950

of those rare people who if I've seen a movie before I have absolutely no interest in seeing it again. This frustrates the heck out of my wife but I would rather have my knee drained than sit in a theater with a bunch of strangers, in the dark, and watch a movie. The last movie I went to was the Tales of Narnia and I did that for my wife. Before that, it was back in the early 90's since I had been in a theater. I don't watch them on television either. Ive never seen any of the Star Wars movies, don't care to. I did like many of the old movies but never watch them more than once. I lose interest after a few minutes.

Acts.......like a crazed lunatic

Sat, 01/24/2009 - 17:27 ET by choselife3x

Only one with 'turd breath' here, is you. Go brush your teeth, take your meds, and call your psychologist in the morning.

In order to be pro-choice, one must first be born. Ah, the irony.

Your "comment" neglects the

Sat, 01/24/2009 - 22:19 ET by

Your "comment" neglects the truth of the issue raised. They don't like you and you continually kiss their butts. My colorful exposition of same not withstanding the truth of the statement.

I think you're upset with me

Sat, 01/24/2009 - 22:23 ET by

CHOOSELIFE3X,

I think you're upset with me over another issue. My advice to you is "John 5:39
Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me."

Don't be mad at the things I print if research of scripture shows them to be accurate. Humble yourself and God will exalt you, however, He resisteth the proud.

Acts

Sat, 01/24/2009 - 23:01 ET by doug1950

You should heed your own advise. I don't think Ive seen anyone in here more "proud" of themselves than you are. I believe He tells us to not think more highly of ourselves than we ought also. Practice a little bit more of what you preach.You tend to come off as a Pharisees.

[snicker] John Lennon's

Sun, 01/25/2009 - 00:34 ET by balboa

[snicker]

John Lennon's what? Lololololololol...

Whey the hell...

Sat, 01/24/2009 - 20:57 ET by iconoclast

should I be encouraging someone to do what they know they should've been doing all along? Screw'em. I plan on giving them hell. Those whores made their bed, now let them sleep in it.

Finally someone who gets it!

Sat, 01/24/2009 - 22:19 ET by

Finally someone who gets it!

..... If you have no

Sat, 01/24/2009 - 14:14 ET by MidAmerica

..... If you have no intention of abiding by your new rules, then don't make new rules. That would be actual transparency.

Then suddenly, the CNN newscast ceases and is replaced by a still picture of obama before adoring throngs while patriotic music plays. After five minutes a new anchor appears and without explanation resumes the show.

I am amazed...

Sat, 01/24/2009 - 14:23 ET by PrairieSky

But to be fair, this isn't the first time that Campbell Brown has held O's feet to the fire about something that he did or didn't do. She may the only voice at CNN (outside of Lou Dobbs) that may be willing to challenge O when he screws up.

It's nice to see...I just hope it continues...

"...peace is the highest aspiration of the American People. We will negotiate for it, sacrifice for it, we will never surrender for it, now or ever." President Ronald Reagan~ January 20, 1981

Or she's just the Token Repug

Sat, 01/24/2009 - 14:33 ET by gopcongress

Perhaps CNN is keeping Campbell around anticipating the reinstatement of the Fairness Doctrine. Talk about being ahead of the curve! Ted Turner is such a genius...

Campbell Said It Nicely

Sat, 01/24/2009 - 14:32 ET by Bourbeau

And we have to give credit where credit is due. Having said that, if I'm David Gregory of Meet the Idiots, I may start looking over my shoulder. Anyone at NBC seeing Campbell's feisty nature coming to light, might have some second thoughts about Gregory. Despite the good ratings, he's not even close to holding the torch that Russert held; there just may be a femal Russert in the making.

What is ironic, though...

Sat, 01/24/2009 - 14:43 ET by gopcongress

...is that I LIKE William Lynn. He is an excellent military weapons executive, and frankly I feel far more secure with industry manufacturers of proven, effect weapons systems in positions of policy-making authority.

Of course, had Bush made this choice, the press would have been all over the lobbyist angle. But note in both cases, Lynn's demonstrated competence or effectiveness isn't the story.

sour grapes

Sat, 01/24/2009 - 14:56 ET by sawing batta

this isnt objectivity, it's retribution....and it's short lived.

cnn is upset that it helped plant questions in debate audiences, "heap praise" on this guy, do their part to dismantle any credibility the opposition had and effectively get Obama elected via a tidal wave of sycophantry never before seen.

Now, the Great Leader, who believes in central planning and control, is keeping control and will answer questions only when HE wants to answer to the People. CNN and the Washington press corp are realizing that even though they made this guy, they shouldnt expect the same favorable treatment FROM him that they gave TO him.

There will be a rough patch for a week or two as the Press slides over in the seat to ride bitch, then back to our regularly scheduled love in.

Good evening batta

Sat, 01/24/2009 - 16:00 ET by cocodrie

Remember Lonesome Rhodes?

Andy Griffith - A Face in the Crowd.

Jesus Loves You

At least

Sat, 01/24/2009 - 14:58 ET by MCPO Airdale

At least I'll have some attractive company in the re-education camp!

Wow! Hell has actually frozen over, and . . .

Sat, 01/24/2009 - 15:05 ET by CKA in Red State USA

. . . Sno-Cones are being served there now.

I've heard stronger complaints from my toilet...

Sat, 01/24/2009 - 16:58 ET by BKeyser

This is akin to: "Aw golly gee gosh, Mr. President- I'm a little disappointed that you came out with this little faux pas so soon after announcing your 'transparency policy.' If you would've just waited until next week, we could've all ignored it."

It's a weak attempt at criticism that likely won't be repeated. I'd hate to see anyone get the kind of vitriol from the press that George Bush did, but this would be almost a complimentary review of our last President. I think Sarah Palin would be thrilled to respond, "Well, thank you for pointing that out Ms. Brown. I'll certainly take it under advisement."

And I'll bet O doesn't make

Sat, 01/24/2009 - 16:59 ET by BKeyser

And I'll bet O doesn't make Olbie's Worst Person segment...

"I've heard stronger

Sat, 01/24/2009 - 22:29 ET by

"I've heard stronger complaints from my toilet..."

The freakin' line of the decade!

I think we all knew that

Sat, 01/24/2009 - 17:10 ET by RR GOP

I think we all knew that these creeps would make it look like they're actually doing their jobs...after The One got elected of course.

That way they could answer the O'Reillys and the Rush's and the Hannity's with, "Oh, no...we're not in the tank...just look at what ___ said the other day!"

One of the 24% who thinks George W. Bush was a great President. One of the 89% who wants to bring back the stock and pillory.

Seriously folks

Sat, 01/24/2009 - 18:56 ET by 10ksnooker

Who didn't know Obama was a liar during the campaign, except the media? Jive talking will be an art form, instead of just street lingo, shortly.

Be careful Campbell. CNN's

Sat, 01/24/2009 - 19:38 ET by RMR

Be careful Campbell. CNN's " Obama critique quota" for '09 is half-a-dozen. If you use them all up what will Wolf and Anderson do when it's their turn to save face and pretend they are not in the tank for Obama?

Is there room for Cambell

Sat, 01/24/2009 - 20:34 ET by Blazer

Is there room for Cambell at the re-education camp? I mean I thought we were all booked up.

Ah hell,..... allright,...... she can bunk with me.

"You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious. "

- Ben Kenobi on Liberals, and the MSM.

" The Cake is a lie."

Wage Freeze

Sat, 01/24/2009 - 20:50 ET by flyoverland

I love the wage freeze for one year. His staff was just hired the day before and who gets a raise for a year anyway?

Either way she is being smart!

Sat, 01/24/2009 - 21:50 ET by jarrett.edwards

I hope that Campbell Brown is just
doing her job, and that she will continue to behave as a real
journalist. However, maybe she just wants to jump to Fox where people
will actually watch her!

Good job alright...wonder

Sat, 01/24/2009 - 22:11 ET by bigtimer

Good job alright...wonder if her hubby is having some influence on Campbell.

...and her time slot against others like msnbc and Fox...here she is against BOR and Olbie.

either way...whether it is just her alone, great points...much needed everywhere.

I've heard her do this or heard about some great jobs/jabs she has gotten in over time here and there....she may be moving on up....somewhere in the msm universe.