GOVERNING FROM INSIDE THE LOOP:

Obama's new rules have loopholes: Loopholes on torture ban, ethics rules 'disappointing' (Christina Bellantoni, February 2, 2009, Washington Times)

But some of his biggest accomplishments are twinned with the word "but": Lobbyists are banned, but exceptions can and will be made; orders on ending torture and secret prisons contain loopholes and provisos.

Call it the fine print, an exception, a waiver, but there have been caveats to many of Mr. Obama's first actions.

The lobbying issue has drawn the most ire, especially since Mr. Obama spent so much time blasting lobbyists on the campaign trail.

Sorry, but is there really someone out there who both heard him say something substantive on the campaign trail and believed it?

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Posted by Orrin Judd at February 1, 2009 10:27 PM