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 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.
COMMENTS
Dismissing Andrew McLaughlin as "a lobbyist" seriously misrepresents his background. While he may have done some "lobbying," it would be hard to find anyone competent to do the job that hasn't engaged in activity that could be so described. From what I know of McLaughlin, however, none of his positions have had lobbying as a major part of his responsibilities.
Yes, let's deal with his apparent nomination on the merits.
John Douglas 06/04/09 09:58 am ET
1) I don't believe Andrew is a lobbyist. Check the records.
2) It's hard for me to think that someone changing jobs will be unswervingly loyal to his old company to the detriment of the new. Why don't you think he can be as objective about the issues as anyone? For my money (which it is) I'd rather have someone who's spent his entire adult life thinking about these things for the public and private good, rather than someone who's never worked in a company before.
3) Let's have these discussions on the merits of the individuals involved, rather than the hypothetical.
Thanks
cyndorth 06/03/09 02:13 pm ET