"Pentagon nominee agrees to sell his stock in Raytheon"
That was the headline on the last page of our local newspaper here in Bend, Oregon. Right below an article about how our little city may need to raise fees because it has become so mismanaged.
But this headline caught my eye immediately.
Obama nominated the top lobbyist for Raytheon to be Deputy Defense Secretary?
WTF? I voted for change.
Let me quote the short article, as much as I can:
"A former Raytheon lobbyist nominated to be deputy defense secretary despite President Barack Obama's ban on hiring lobbyists will sell his stock in the military contracting firm...Lynn's dealings with the Defense Department will be subject to ethics reviews for one year, said Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell...Obama's "ethics commitments," ordered officials who had been lobbyists for up to two years prior to their hiring to recuse themselves from decisions involving their former employers. But Lynn avoided a total recusal under the decision announced by Pentagon officials Friday."
OK, I am astounded.
"On Thursday, the adminstration delivered to the Senate Armed Services Committee a waiver to Obama's "ethics pledge" for federal employees, exempting Lynn..."
WTF?
I mean, this happens two days after the much lauded pledge is announced?
Who is this guy, William J. Lynn?
From Bloomberg, in an article wherein Democrat Carl Levin reversed himself and expressed support for Lynn:
Lynn is senior vice president in Washington for Raytheon, responsible for overseeing government lobbying for the nation’s fourth-largest defense contractor. He was a registered lobbyist until March 2008. The Pentagon role would include reviewing major weapons programs and setting defense-spending priorities.
I mean, WTF, Barack?
I voted for change, not more of the same.
I worked for you. Our city voted Dem for the first time ever.
And now, this?
WTF, Barack?
UPDATE You just told us you wouldn't allow lobbyists to work for you and now you want to hire this guy?
The Honorable William J. Lynn is senior vice president of Government Operations and Strategy at Raytheon Company. He was elected an officer of the company in May 2005. Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN), with 2007 sales of $21.3 billion, is a technology leader
specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 72,000 people worldwide.
Lynn’s responsibilities include company liaison with the executive and legislative branches of the federal government, as well as state and local government relations. He also directs the corporate strategy office, where he is responsible for the development of companywide strategic plans.
Lynn joined Raytheon in August 2002...