On Friday, citing “longstanding and important Executive Branch confidentiality interests,” White House counsel Kathryn Ruemmler refused a House panel’s demand for “all communications among White House staff and officials” relating to Solyndra. Solyndra is one of the administration’s pet “green energy” firms. It received a $535 million loan guarantee from the Department of Energy before its top executives took the Fifth before Congress.
What’s been unearthed so far is embarrassing enough. The Obama administration seems to have rushed the deal through despite multiple warning flags and a lack of due diligence. The now-bankrupt firm, whose largest shareholder is a major Obama fundraiser, spent some $1.8 million on lobbying while waiting for the guarantee.
