Trying Harder, From the Start
Oh, how the door between government and business revolves. Public service has become an easy route to professional fortune in Washington. White House aides and other former government officials cash in easily on connections. But President-elect Bill Clinton aims to change that. He wants members of his transition team to play by new rules.
Clinton has unveiled new ethical guidelines to rein in members of his transition for six months after their service to the new President. His ethics code specifically prohibits them from lobbying federal agencies that they help staff or reorganize. Transition team members also cannot work on any matter from which they, their family or their clients could profit. And, in a climate where access and inside information translate directly to power, transition staffers must not profit from confidential information.
Those welcome ethical guidelines are strict by comparison to the loose rules that applied four years ago. Members of President Bush’s transition team were not prohibited from lobbying, although they were required to disclose possible conflicts of interest.
Clinton’s guidelines may handcuff members of his team, particularly transition board chairman Vernon E. Jordan Jr.--the savvy, well-connected civil rights leader turned Establishment lawyer who serves on several corporate boards, including that of RJR Nabisco Holdings Corp., a major cigarette manufacturer. Jordan took unpaid leave from the boards and his law firm after public health advocates criticized his connections to the cigarette manufacturer and challenged his ability to be impartial in discussions. Jordan’s leave is appropriate. Warren Christopher, the prominent L.A. lawyer who directs the transition, has taken an informal leave from his firm; that too was a good move.
Clinton now is seeking to avert concern about other potential conflicts by drafting rules for his Administration’s permanent appointments. Taken together, these are admirable efforts that inject a bit more integrity into government by emphasizing public service over personal gain.
