Uh, Mr. Obama? What is that Lobbyist Doing Here?

Thanks to x_3mta3 for introducing us to the wonderful machine that is the Obameter (and even more thanks for the magical inauguration souvenir that is the Obama Stocking Cap!), I spy that Mr. President is making an eenie weenie exception to his no lobbyists working in the White House rule. Oh, no big whoop, he only lobbied for Raytheon. They only make loads of money off of war. That only should be considered war profiteering, but let's call it necessary for defense and the economy. Great. If that hat wasn't so sparkly...

On his first day, President Obama signed an executive order placing restrictions on lobbyists working in the White House, as he promised to do during the campaign. We rated it Promise Kept.

But we've since learned new information that is prompting us to keep a closer eye Promise No. 240 and move the needle to Compromise.

The executive order Obama signed includes a waiver clause. The executive order says a waiver may be granted if "the literal application of the restriction is inconsistent with the purposes of the restriction" or "it is in the public interest ... . The public interest shall include, but not be limited to, exigent circumstances relating to national security or to the economy."

And a waiver seems to be in the works already -- for William J. Lynn III, the appointee to be Deputy Secretary of Defense. Lynn was formerly a lobbyist for the giant defense contractor Raytheon.