Saturday, March 8, 2008

David Plouffe: Clinton One Of "Most Secretive Politicians In America Today"


The Obama campaign is returning to the issue of Clinton's secrecy today, after spending a conference call yesterday lambasting the lack of tax returns provided by the New York Senator. In a conference call, campaign manager David Plouffe had this today, via Politico:

"Behind closed doors, they're trying to prevent the American people from evaluating [Clinton's White House] experience," he said. "You have to wonder whether she'll be open and honest with the American people as president."


He also noted, again, that Clinton doesn't need to wait until April 15 to release the last six years of tax returns.

Clinton is "one of the most secretive politicians in America today," he said.

In addition to the issue of tax returns, the statements came as a response to a USA Today article reporting that the Clinton library was withholding information about pardons made near the end of President Clinton's tenure:

Federal archivists at the Clinton Presidential Library are blocking the release of hundreds of pages of White House papers on pardons that the former president approved, including clemency for fugitive commodities trader Marc Rich.


The archivists' decision, based on guidance provided by Bill Clinton that restricts the disclosure of advice he received from aides, prevents public scrutiny of documents that would shed light on how he decided which pardons to approve from among hundreds of requests.

Original here

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