#4. Undue Influence at the White House?

In July a Congressional oversight committee revealed that despite a law prohibiting most federal officials from engaging in partisan political activities, the White House praised high-ranking officials at the Office of National Drug Control Policy for appearing on behalf of as many as 18 Republicans in competitive races in the three months leading up to the 2006 election. For example, during this time period, officials appeared at two events for Missouri Senator Jim Talent, who ended up losing the election. These findings — coming just after former Surgeon General Richard Carmona testified that the White House had barred him from speaking out about such issues as stem-cell research, and amid an investigation into the firings of several U.S. Attorneys — raise even more questions about the White House's political influence over federal agencies.