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WH Told to Reveal Visitor List

Court rules that Bush and Cheney's appointments are public knowledge

By Jonas Oransky, Newser Staff

Posted Dec 17, 2007 7:36 PM CST

(Newser) – Who stops by the White House or Dick Cheney's place is a matter of public record, a district court judge ruled today, blocking the Bush administration's attempts to keep visitor logs sealed. Liberal watchdogs had argued the information is covered by the Freedom of Information Act, while President Bush had ordered the records turned over to the White House—which now has 20 days to open records.

The Bush administration had been hoping to avoid public knowledge of audiences with religious conservatives including Jerry Falwell, James Dobson, and Gary Bauer, the AP reports. Administration lawyers are expected to appeal, but the judge stopped short of ruling the logs couldn’t be destroyed, but National Archives' permission would be needed first.

A file photo of Jerry Falwell at a Christian Coalition rally. Falwell is among Christian conservatives whose names appear on White House visitors logs, which the White House was ordered to release today.... (Magnum Photos)

Then Republican presidential candidate Gary Bauer tells reporters he is withdrawing from the race in this Feb. 4, 2000, file photo. (AP Photo/Dennis Cook, File) (Associated Press)

President Bush, right, sits with Focus on the Family founder Dr. James Dobson, left, and Shirley Dobson, center, during the National Day of Prayer ceremony, Thursday, May 3, 2007, in the East Room, in... (Associated Press)

(Getty Images)

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WH Told to Reveal Visitor List

Court rules that Bush and Cheney's appointments are public knowledge

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Obama to Open White House Visitor Logs

Aims to boost transparency, resolve watchdog lawsuits

Karl Rove: Poor Handling of Iraq War Was My Fault

In memoir, Bush aide regrets not defending war to public harder

22M 'Missing' Bush-Era Emails Reappear

Data won't be public for years, but may shed light on Iraq, Plame

Where Bush Was Bashed, Obama Gets Free Pass

GOP faithful can't fathom why press goes so easy on new president

Bushies Work to Salvage Boss' Rep

Rove, Fleischer, Perino look to set the record straight, combat spin

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WH Told to Reveal Visitor List

Court rules that Bush and Cheney's appointments are public knowledge

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Bush administration • White House • Jerry Falwell • James Dobson • Freedom of Information Act • Gary Bauer • White House visitors • visitor logs • George W. Bush

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Obama to Open White House Visitor Logs

Aims to boost transparency, resolve watchdog lawsuits

Karl Rove: Poor Handling of Iraq War Was My Fault

In memoir, Bush aide regrets not defending war to public harder

22M 'Missing' Bush-Era Emails Reappear

Data won't be public for years, but may shed light on Iraq, Plame

Where Bush Was Bashed, Obama Gets Free Pass

GOP faithful can't fathom why press goes so easy on new president

Bushies Work to Salvage Boss' Rep

Rove, Fleischer, Perino look to set the record straight, combat spin

About Us

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Newser By Users

Community

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More News

What is Newser?