Jan

Government in the Sunshine Would Be Nice

GoneGator

Within seconds (give or take) of Barack Obama taking the oath, another more stealth transition took place when his administration launched the new WhiteHouse.gov website. Obama’s Director of New Media (man, I’d love to have that job) posted a “change has come” letter on the site’s blog simultaneously with some very encouraging words:

“WhiteHouse.gov and the rest of the Administration’s online programs will put citizens first.”

The new site’s priorities: Communication, Transparency, and Participation.

The executive branch has gone Web 2.0. Finally.

I plan to spend more time tonight exploring the new site, but a few things jump out at me right away:

1. The Agenda

This section lists in great detail Obama’s agenda for 24 major issues. And if you participated on the Change.gov site during the transition, you know that his agenda was shaped in part by ideas submitted by ordinary Americans — and extraordinary ones like my friends and me ; )

2. White House 101

Subtitled “Facts and Fun For All Ages,” this section includes a bunch of great stuff about presidential pets.

3. Office of Public Liaison

This “front door to the White House” is in its infancy, but promises great opportunity to interact with the Obama administration. Overseen by Obama’s longtime Chicago pal Valerie Jarrett.

I expect to have more to say later once I have a chance to review Obama’s inaugural address and digest its meaning.