Obama Statement on the Withdrawal of Industry Lobbyist Nomination to Head Consumer Safety Agency
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ben LaBolt
WASHINGTON, DC – "Mr. Baroody made the right decision to withdraw his name from consideration. His nomination highlights yet again the need to slow a revolving door that creates conflicts of interest between government officials and the industries they're supposed to be overseeing. I hope the President will appoint someone to this important position who has a demonstrated commitment to protecting the public from dangerous consumer products."
Mr. Baroody was an industry lobbyist for the National Manufacturers Association, which rewarded him with a $150,000 severance package before he became the Bush administration’s nominee to head the CPSC.