The Clampdown

ABC’s Jake Tapper is reporting that White House officials are in full denial mode after a bankruptcy attorney claimed that the man in charge of the administration’s Auto Industry Task Force, Steve Rattner, told her that a firm represented by the attorney would see its reputation destroyed by the White House press corps if the firm continued to oppose the Chrysler bankruptcy plan.

At this point there doesn’t seem to be any evidence in either direction. However, I can’t say that I’m surprised by this if it turns out to be true. It was an absolutely fair criticism of the Bush administration to say that it lacked humility, but the preening arrogance of the Obama administration is mind-blowing. It would not surprise me in the least to see that dissent is threatened and bullied. It was a criticism that was lobbed, unfairly, at the Bush administration, but it is the stock in trade of the current majority party.

The key element that adds to the story is the accusation that the smear would be carried out by the media, specifically the White House press corps. While it might be difficult to have the actual White House press corps doing their dirty work, there are plenty of other sycophantic toadies in the media and their inbred cousins on the Nutroots who are so enchanted by St. Barry that they would be more than happy to smear and destroy anyone who presents an opposing voice.

UPDATE: A White House spokesman denies. Zero Hedge is on the case.