Transparency from O? Fuggeddaboutit

Even Isikoff is unhappy.

As a senator, Barack Obama denounced the Bush administration for holding "secret energy meetings" with oil executives at the White House. But last week public-interest groups were dismayed when his own administration rejected a Freedom of Information Act request for Secret Service logs showing the identities of coal executives who had visited the White House to discuss Obama's "clean coal" policies. One reason: the disclosure of such records might impinge on privileged "presidential communications." The refusal, approved by White House counsel Greg Craig's office, is the latest in a series of cases in which Obama officials have opted against public disclosure.

There is, of course, a DofJ memo supporting Obama's Secret Club meetings.

Administration officials say the Holder memo was drafted by senior Justice lawyers in consultation with Craig's office.

Craig is White House counsel.

Isikoff compares this to the Bush secrecy games. Maybe, maybe not--but it certainly is not "openness."