THE NEW OPENNESS, NOT - AT 9:25 A.M. ET:  There is a well-known reporter writing a book about the Obama administration.  The Obama administration has pledged a new openness, and end to the secrecy of the evil BUSH (!!).

Not so fast.  Apparently, we're going back to the Bush rules:

Best-selling journalist Bob Woodward has found the topic for his next book: The Obama administration. And apparently that has the Obama White House circling the wagons.

White House Counsel Greg Craig circulated a memo inside the West Wing earlier this month instructing officials hit up for information by authors or journalists writing on the administration to clear interview requests with the press office. An Obama spokesman told The New Republic that the memo was not sent in regards to a specific journalist, but Beltway insiders say the White House probably is taking pains to avoid leaks to the Washington Post icon.

COMMENT:  I have seen no evidence that this administration is any more open than any other.  They should stop claiming that they are, unless they can produce some journalistic change we can believe in.

May 31, 2009