DID ANYONE TAKE THAT PLEDGE SERIOUSLY, OR EVEN KNOW ABOUT IT?

Spousal Ties to Lobbying Test a Vow From Obama (CHARLIE SAVAGE and DAVID D. KIRKPATRICK, 12/15/08, NY Times)

Linda Hall Daschle is one of the most important aviation lobbyists in town. Ms. Daschle is also the wife of Tom Daschle, whom President-elect Barack Obama has chosen to be the next secretary of health and human services.

Tom Downey is the founder and chairman of a lobbying firm with dozens of clients, including several with interests in energy policy. Mr. Downey is also the husband of Carol M. Browner, Mr. Obama’s likely choice to be the next White House energy czar.

Mr. Obama’s selection of Mr. Daschle and Ms. Browner to high-level positions illustrates a potential loophole in his pledge of keeping special interests at a distance.