Opposing Obama’s Deputy CTO Pick

Wed, Jun 3, 2009 at 10:41 am

    Two consumer groups have lined up to oppose President Obama’s pending appointment
    of Google’s Andrew McLaughlin as deputy chief technology officer in the
    White House. In a letter to Obama, John Simpson, consumer advocate at Consumer Watchdog (formerly the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights), and Jeffery Chester, executive director of the Center for Digital Democracy,
    said McLaughlin’s position as Google’s director of global public policy
    violates the intent of the president’s ethics rules to stop the
    revolving door between lobbyists and the executive branch. From the letter

    We do not object to Mr. McLaughlin’s appointment because he
    is associated with Google per se. The problem is that he has been a
    lobbyist for the biggest digital marketing company in the world, and we
    believe no special-interest connected person should assume a position
    of vital importance to the country’s future. It would be just as
    inappropriate for a lobbyist from Microsoft, Yahoo! or any similar
    technology company to be appointed deputy chief technology officer.

    It would be just as inappropriate for a lobbyist from Microsoft,
    Yahoo! or any similar technology company to be appointed deputy chief
    technology officer.

    The Center for Digital Democracy’s Chester said in a press release:

    No lobbyist or special interest political operative from
    one of the leading Internet companies should be placed in such a key
    position where they can influence technology policy. Appointing someone
    from a Google (or Microsoft, AT&T, etc.) lobbying shop to this
    position sends the wrong message – that the well-connected can still
    make a quick trip to the White House through a special interest
    revolving door. The goal of the Obama administration to use new
    technology to improve how the government works requires someone whose
    background ensures they can make independent decisions that will
    benefit all Americans.

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