Letter to Senator Clinton on Archive Records from Obama Iowa Supporters Tom Miller and Lu Barron

November 3, 2007

Dear Senator Clinton:

Yesterday, it was reported that the Clinton presidential library will not release the public schedules from your tenure as First Lady until late January - several weeks after Iowa Democrats have participated in the January 3rd caucuses.  Other records documenting your time in Washington won't be made public until long after millions of Democrats have cast their vote to choose our nominee, because of the request to have documents reviewed by Bruce Lindsey prior to their release.

Throughout this campaign, you have repeatedly emphasized your experience as First Lady.  However, by refusing to authorize an expedited release of the records from your time in Washington, you are preventing the Iowa voters from thoroughly reviewing that experience.

We ask you to demonstrate your commitment to turning the page on political tactics that routinely block the American public's right to know what their government is doing and has done.

We're backing Barack Obama because he has repeatedly demonstrated a commitment to a transparent government.  That's why he has released his personal income tax returns, made his Senate appropriations earmarks public, and led the effort to establish a "Google for Government" initiative that requires the entire federal budget to be posted online in a publicly available and searchable format.

As Americans and as Democrats ready for change, we're asking you to be as open as possible with the American people.  You should publicly request that the tens of thousands of pages that have been cleared for release by the National Archives be immediately provided to the public, and ask for the expedited release of all records requested from the Clinton Library in advance of the Iowa Caucuses.

As Iowans, we understand that what makes our first-in-the-nation caucus unique is the opportunity to carefully examine each of the candidates and their records before making a decision about whom to support.  Fully releasing these records is in keeping with the spirit of the process that makes the Iowa Caucus so special.

Sincerely,

Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller, Co-Chair of Obama's Iowa campaign

Linn County Supervisor Lu Barron