30 of Obama's top staff are former lobbyists

Washington, Mar.21 (ANI): The National Journal has in a non-partisan analysis found that 30 of the 267 senior Obama administration officials have served as lobbyists in the preceding five years.

According to the Washington Times, Obama once promised that if he was elected president "lobbyists won't find a job in my White House."

Government watchdogs questioned this promise when William Lynn was brought on to serve as the Deputy Secretary of Defense, a former lobbyist for Raytheon. The White House insisted Lynn was "uniquely qualified for the position."

Only a handful of the 30 lobbyist-turned-officials named by the National Journal appear to be serving the government in areas that could overlap with their previous lobbying duties, like Lynn.

These people include Mark Patterson, chief of staff to Treasury Secretary. He previously lobbied for Goldman Sachs. Director of the White House Office of Government Affairs Cecilia Munoz has lobbied for the National Council of La Raza, an immigration advocacy group. Patricia Gaspard, director of the White House Office of Political Affairs is a former lobbyist for the Service Employees International Union.

The others, like Deputy National Security Advisor Thomas Donilon, are working in different areas. He is a former lobbyist for Fannie Mae. (ANI)