"What's the policy going to be on release of the names of White House visitors?"

[ProSense]

Q What's the policy going to be on release of the names of White House visitors?

MR. GIBBS: The policy -- as you know, I think many of you know, this has involved -- visitor logs have been involved in some litigation dating back to some time in 2006. The White House is reviewing that policy based on some of that litigation.

Q So it's just you're not going either way on it now, and you're not refusing to --

MR. GIBBS: We're reviewing what has been the policy of -- the previous policy.

Q Who is doing that review?

MR. GIBBS: The White House Counsel's Office and other people in the administration.

Q What's the length of the review?

MR. GIBBS: I don't know the exact timeline.

Q Is there a mandate to be more transparent than the previous administration?

MR. GIBBS: I think we ran on that --

Q In this specific regard?

MR. GIBBS: That's what's under review.

Q Is that the goal?

MR. GIBBS: What's the goal?

Q Isn't that the goal, to be more transparent on these visitor logs than the previous administration?

MR. GIBBS: The goal is -- and I think the President, who underscored his commitment to transparency on his first full day in office -- this is not a contest between this administration or that administration, or any administration; it's to uphold the principle of open government.

Q Why would the President have any objection to the public knowing who is coming in here to visit?

MR. GIBBS: I think we've taken actions to let people know who are. I think again, Peter, this dates back to litigation long before we ever showed up.

Q Do you think you might have to uphold precedent here, possibly?

MR. GIBBS: That's part of what's being reviewed by the Counsel's Office.

Yes, ma'am.

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[OhioBlue]

1. well, I can accept with 5 months into an administration

that they are reviewing policy with pending litigation. I hope they come out on the right side of determining what is and isn't subject to FOIA.