It looks as if the Obama administration is going to be a lot more demanding of incoming members than the press ever was of Obama, and it looks as if it is going to have to turn down Obama for a job in it. Reports the New York Times:

Want a top job in the Obama administration? Only pack rats need apply, preferably those not packing controversy.

A seven-page questionnaire being sent by the office of President-elect Barack Obama to those seeking cabinet and other high-ranking posts may be the most extensive — some say invasive — application ever.

The questionnaire includes 63 requests for personal and professional records, some covering applicants' spouses and grown children as well, that are forcing job-seekers to rummage from basements to attics, in shoe boxes, diaries and computer archives to document both their achievements and missteps.

Jobs with the mortgage-finance giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have served as lucrative incubators for Democratic and Republican administration officials. But those affiliations have become potentially toxic since the government seized both companies after years of financial irregularities that have stoked the economic crisis.

Not surprisingly, then, Question 18 of the Obama application asks whether "you, your spouse or any member of your immediate family" have been affiliated with Fannie, Freddie, American International Group, Washington Mutual and any other institution getting a government bailout.

The Times article does not mention question 61, although it does have a pdf of the questionnaire. It asks:

Have you had any association with any person, group or business venture that could be used - even unfairly - to impugn or attack your character and qualifications for government service?

You are misreading this. They are looking for qualifications not disqualifications.

Do as I say, NOT as I did...

Rahm Emanuel and Jamie Gorelick former board members who made fortunes at Fannie during the very time the bad loans were being bought, packaged and resold to Bear Stearns as government guaranteed mortgage backed securities?

Nooooo problem....

At least now we have a copy of the questionnaire for Obama to fill out if he runs for reelection.

wait, so past associations matter after all?

I am appalled that Bush and Cheney would violate the civil rights and privacy of anyone that might actually want to work with them in, er....what? It's from Obama? Well then, I appluad President-elect Obama for wanting to have the most ethical administration ever and making sure no one but upstanding citizens work for historic administration.

Are these the questions that the press or anyone else NEVE asked of Obama........amazing, he can ask them of everyone else, but no one can ask them of him. I await the clear and rational explanation that will follow.......