Want a top job in the Obama administration??

[S&WM&P40]

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.

Only the smallest details are excluded; traffic tickets carrying fines of less than $50 need not be reported, the application says. Applicants are asked whether they or anyone in their family owns a gun. They must include any e-mail that might embarrass the president-elect, along with any blog posts and links to their Facebook pages.

The application also asks applicants to “please list all aliases or ‘handles’ you have used to communicate on the Internet.”

The vetting process for executive branch jobs has been onerous for decades, with each incoming administration erecting new barriers in an effort to avoid the mistakes of the past, or the controversies of the present. It is typically updated to reflect technological change (there was no Facebook the last time a new president came to town).

But Mr. Obama has elevated the vetting even beyond what might have been expected, especially when it comes to applicants’ family members, in a reflection of his campaign rhetoric against lobbying and the back-scratching, self-serving ways of Washington.

“President-elect Obama made a commitment to change the way Washington does business, and the vetting process exemplifies that,” said Stephanie Cutter, chief spokeswoman for the Obama transition office.

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.

Under “Domestic Help,” the questionnaire asks the immigration status of applicants’ housekeepers, nannies, chauffeurs and yard-workers, and whether applicants have paid the required taxes for household employees. (Those questions reflect controversies that tripped up President Bill Clinton’s first two nominees for attorney general in 1993.)

“Every transition is cumulative,” said Michael Berman, a lawyer and lobbyist who worked in the transitions of both Mr. Clinton and President Jimmy Carter. After reviewing the Obama application, Mr. Berman added, “I am very happy I am not seeking a job in the federal government.”

A former Clinton White House official who insisted on anonymity said in an e-mail message, “I believe it is considerably more detailed than we had to fill out in ’93. Interesting that they want spouse information on everything — means lots of folks are going to have to list the very prominent — and controversial — companies that their spouses work/lobby for.”

The first question asks applicants not just for a résumé, but for every résumé and biographical statement issued by them or others for the past 10 years — a likely safeguard against résumé falsehoods, one Clinton administration veteran said.

Most information must cover at least the past decade, including the names of anyone applicants lived with; a chronological list of activities for which applicants were paid; real estate and loans over $10,000, and their terms, for applicants and spouses; net worth statements submitted for loans, and organization memberships — in particular, memberships in groups that have discriminated on the basis of race, sex, disability, ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation.

There are no time limits for some information, including liens, tax audits, lawsuits, legal charges, bankruptcies or arrests. Applicants must report all businesses with which they and their spouses have been affiliated or in which they have had a financial stake of more than 5 percent. All gifts over $50 that they and their spouses have received from anyone other than close friends or relatives must be identified.

Just in case the previous 62 questions do not ferret out any potential controversy, the 63rd is all-encompassing: “Please provide any other information, including information about other members of your family, that could suggest a conflict of interest or be a possible source of embarrassment to you, your family, or the president-elect.”

The answer could duplicate the response to Question 8: “Briefly describe the most controversial matters you have been involved with during the course of your career.”

For those who clear all the hurdles, the reward could be the job they wanted. But first there will be more forms, for security and ethics clearances from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Office of Government Ethics.

[HK4U]

You might get a job or just hear a knock at the door.

[KimberPB]

Originally Posted by S&WM&P40

Only the smallest details are excluded; traffic tickets carrying fines of less than $50 need not be reported, the application says. Applicants are asked whether they or anyone in their family owns a gun. They must include any e-mail that might embarrass the president-elect, along with any blog posts and links to their Facebook pages.

Lol I want to apply!!!

"Mr. KimberPB do you or anyone in their family owns a gun?"

Me. "Well, yes I do, my dad, my brother, my grandfathers (on both sides), my cousin..... this may take awhile you have enough paper to write this all down?"

[johnsteele]

Just as well, I wouldn't willingly work for him anyway.

Given the people they are considering for Cabinet positions this quesitonaire is just so much window dressing, the illusion of ethics.

[KimberPB]

Originally Posted by S&WM&P40

The application also asks applicants to “please list all aliases or ‘handles’ you have used to communicate on the Internet.”

lol...

"Mr. KimberPB what are all the aliases or handles you have used to communicate on the internet?"

Me. "That would be KimberPB on usacarry.com....... Oh by the way please ignore my sig line."


lol I don't think I have much of a chance! lol

[Glock Fan]

If any of my relatives apply and rat me out, I'm gonna be rather upset.



gf

[tattedupboy]

I suppose that if I needed the money that badly, I could just lie about my gun ownership After all, my state doesn't have a gun registry, so it's not like he'd be able to find out anyway.

[Glock Fan]

Originally Posted by tattedupboy

I suppose that if I needed the money that badly, I could just lie about my gun ownership After all, my state doesn't have a gun registry, so it's not like he'd be able to find out anyway.

The FFL transfer form you fill out would be a good source of info for the "Gestapo". You can tell them that you sold your stuff, but may have to prove it.

Don't think I'll need the money THAT bad.


gf

[KimberPB]

Originally Posted by Glock Fan

The FFL transfer form you fill out would be a good source of info for the "Gestapo". You can tell them that you sold your stuff, but may have to prove it.

Don't think I'll need the money THAT bad.


gf

Well, if Indiana is like Florida a person can buy from a private owner without having to go register the gun and since no FFL was involved no paperwork trail.

[Glock Fan]

Originally Posted by KimberPB

Well, if Indiana is like Florida a person can buy from a private owner without having to go register the gun and since no FFL was involved no paperwork trail.

True, but with these guys, I wouldn't be surprised if they pulled your credit card info. It would take some explaining if you purchased any ammo with a credit or debit card. If you have a CC liicense, I'm sure they'll get that info as well. Would be hard to explain why you have a CC license and no firearm.

What I'm saying is that I wouldn't take a chance and "lie" in any way, shape or form. Doing so may get you into trouble and possibly years of legal hassles.



gf