President Obama’s choice for DS of the DD is William J. Lynn III
President Barrack Obama’s pick for the powerful and prestigious post of Deputy Secretary of the Defense Department is William J. Lynn III. Until just recently, William J. Lynn was a lobbyist for Raytheon, which lobbied the Pentagon in 2007 and 2008.
There is a requirement on the books which precludes people from working for any agency they have lobbied within the past two years. President Obama circumvented this requirement by simply forwarding a “waiver” to Capitol Hill which exempts William J. Lynn from the rule. This allows Mr. Lynn to be appointed to the post by the new president.
The above seems a lot more like what has been happening for the past eight years than “change.”
Further, President Barrack Obama previously stated that no lobbyists would be part of his administration. A reporter in the White House Press Room recently asked the new president how he could reconcile appointing William J. Lynn, considering his statement. President Obama did not respond to the question.
Senator John McCain, the ranking Republican on the Armed Services Committee, has said he will not be able to support William J. Lynn’s appointment until he is able to get some more information about him. Senator McCain wants to know if President Obama’s pick will remove himself from dealing with certain issues – those relevant to his past dealings with the Pentagon in the interests of Raytheon.
Senator McCain added that he is “disappointed” in the president for providing the ethics waiver for Mr. Lynn.
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