9/11 Commission Redux

Although it doesn't seem to have damaged the administration in the least, it doesn't speak well of them that they attempted to prevent the investigation in the first place. Then caved in under intense public pressure. Then refused to allow high-ranking White House officials to testify. Then caved in under intense public pressure.

Maybe they've learned a lesson, though-- don't publicize your obstructionism. From the NYT:

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Bush administration is impeding an investigation into the Education Department's hiring of commentator Armstrong Williams by refusing to allow key White House officials to be interviewed, a Democratic lawmaker briefed on the review said Thursday.

In addition, Rep. George Miller, D-Calif., said Education Secretary Margaret Spellings is considering invoking a privilege that he said would require information to be deleted when the final version is publicly released, which is expected within days.

Miller called for Jack Higgins, the inspector general at the Education Department, to delay the report until Spellings agrees not to invoke ''deliberative process privilege'' and the White House grants interviews with current or former officials familiar with the deal.