OMB sees bloggers' power

Bush administration officials have found another way to push their agenda: bloggers.

Office of Management and Budget officials recognized bloggers’ sway in helping pass the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act, which calls for the establishment of a Web site detailing who receives federal funding. President Bush signed the bill into law today.

Officials are considering giving information to the bloggers to stir the community — possibly in their favor. They invited 10 bloggers to meet with Clay Johnson, OMB's deputy director for management, today after the presidential signing ceremony.

“Clay asked them, ‘Gee, if you’re so good at this, can you help us with some of our other initiatives?’ ” said OMB Director Rob Portman at a luncheon sponsored by the IBM Center for the Business of Government and the National Academy of Public Administration in Washington, D.C.

The act brought the bloggers to OMB’s attention, Johnson said. He also said he wants to stay in touch with the community.

“One of the things that occurred to me this past week was to let the bloggers know that there are certain members of Congress that don’t think we should be inclined to spend their money effectively,” Johnson said. “I may even mention a few of them.”

After the luncheon he said OMB would continue to send information to interested bloggers. Although OMB can’t control if bloggers will be on its side, the information would still circulate throughout the Web.