Since the failure of the company, Obama’s entire $80 billion clean-technology program has begun to look like a political liability for an administration about to enter a bruising reelection campaign.
Meant to create jobs and cut reliance on foreign oil, Obama’s green-technology program was infused with politics at every level, The Washington Post found in an analysis of thousands of memos, company records and internal e-mails. Political considerations were raised repeatedly by company investors, Energy Department bureaucrats and White House officials.
The records, some previously unreported, show that when warned that financial disaster might lie ahead, the administration remained steadfast in its support for Solyndra.
When Solyndra was mentioned in a meeting, Biden’s office “about had an orgasm.”
Documents show that senior officials pushed career bureaucrats to rush their decision on the loan so Vice President Biden could announce it during a trip to California.
Like most presidential appearances, Obama’s May 2010 stop at Solyndra’s headquarters was closely managed political theater.
Obama’s handlers had lengthy e-mail discussions about how solar panels should be displayed (from a robotic arm, it was decided). They cautioned the company’s chief executive against wearing a suit (he opted for an open-neck shirt and black slacks) and asked another executive to wear a hard hat and white smock. They instructed blue-collar employees to wear everyday work clothes, to preserve what they called “the construction-worker feel.”
Solyndra has failed to attract a buyer who would keep the plant operating, so it is trying to unload its assets piecemeal to pay off its debts. The first $75 million recovered is expected to go to Kaiser’s nonprofit organization and other investors; it is unclear how much will be left for taxpayers.
Solyndra: Politics infused Obama energy programs - The Washington Post
Fast forward to today...
I had the privilege of implementing President Barack Obama’s demanding ethics vision for his administration, including its centerpiece, his “Day One” executive order setting tough new rules on conflicts of interest. It may seem like a very long time ago after four years of President Donald Trump, but Obama had arguably the most scandal-free presidency in memory owing to those clear ethics rules, backed by strong transparency about their application.
But Biden’s new executive order on ethics does us one better. It restores the fundamentals of the Obama plan, closing loopholes Trump opened—but going further, including new crackdowns on special interest influence. If implemented rigorously (always a big if) Biden’s plan promises to go further to “drain the swamp” than either of his predecessors.
I Wrote President Obama’s Ethics Plan—Biden’s Is Better. (msn.com)
I might be dating myself but an old high school cheer applies to the situation. Whenever a basketball ref made a bad call it went like this: Nuts and Bolts, Nuts and Bolts, we got screwed! You guys will rue the day you voted Biden.
Thank you.
Meant to create jobs and cut reliance on foreign oil, Obama’s green-technology program was infused with politics at every level, The Washington Post found in an analysis of thousands of memos, company records and internal e-mails. Political considerations were raised repeatedly by company investors, Energy Department bureaucrats and White House officials.
The records, some previously unreported, show that when warned that financial disaster might lie ahead, the administration remained steadfast in its support for Solyndra.
When Solyndra was mentioned in a meeting, Biden’s office “about had an orgasm.”
Documents show that senior officials pushed career bureaucrats to rush their decision on the loan so Vice President Biden could announce it during a trip to California.
Like most presidential appearances, Obama’s May 2010 stop at Solyndra’s headquarters was closely managed political theater.
Obama’s handlers had lengthy e-mail discussions about how solar panels should be displayed (from a robotic arm, it was decided). They cautioned the company’s chief executive against wearing a suit (he opted for an open-neck shirt and black slacks) and asked another executive to wear a hard hat and white smock. They instructed blue-collar employees to wear everyday work clothes, to preserve what they called “the construction-worker feel.”
Solyndra has failed to attract a buyer who would keep the plant operating, so it is trying to unload its assets piecemeal to pay off its debts. The first $75 million recovered is expected to go to Kaiser’s nonprofit organization and other investors; it is unclear how much will be left for taxpayers.
Solyndra: Politics infused Obama energy programs - The Washington Post
Fast forward to today...
I had the privilege of implementing President Barack Obama’s demanding ethics vision for his administration, including its centerpiece, his “Day One” executive order setting tough new rules on conflicts of interest. It may seem like a very long time ago after four years of President Donald Trump, but Obama had arguably the most scandal-free presidency in memory owing to those clear ethics rules, backed by strong transparency about their application.
But Biden’s new executive order on ethics does us one better. It restores the fundamentals of the Obama plan, closing loopholes Trump opened—but going further, including new crackdowns on special interest influence. If implemented rigorously (always a big if) Biden’s plan promises to go further to “drain the swamp” than either of his predecessors.
I Wrote President Obama’s Ethics Plan—Biden’s Is Better. (msn.com)
I might be dating myself but an old high school cheer applies to the situation. Whenever a basketball ref made a bad call it went like this: Nuts and Bolts, Nuts and Bolts, we got screwed! You guys will rue the day you voted Biden.
Thank you.
