Groups that advocate open government have argued that it's vital to know the names of White House visitors, who may have an outsized influence on policy matters.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
In Democratic administrations, I visit the White House.
The Obama administration is fighting to block access to names of visitors to the White House, taking up the Bush administration argument that a president doesn't have to reveal who comes calling to influence policy decisions.
I've always wondered: is there really any access to the White House?
I spent a lot of time in the White House in the public areas where reporters are allowed to go, but I spoke to people about the private quarters as well. Some of the things I learned were small, novelistic details. For example, the fact that there were still pet stains on the carpets from the Bush cats when the Obamas moved in.
Every president thinks that all information that comes to the White House is their private preserve after they all promise an open administration on the campaign trail, but some are more secretive than others. Some want to lock down everything.
I've been to the White House a number of times.
Open government is, within limits, an ideal that we all share. U.S. President Barack Obama endorsed it when he took office in January 2009.
I think it is important for readers to know that it is possible to bring intellectualism and idealism to the White House and still be political enough to advance an agenda.
The White House is a strange place.
Experts always know everything but the fine points. When I took my citizenship exams, no one there knew how the White House came to be called the White House.