The principle of the thing is wrong. Of course the president's cabinet and staff should be able to offer reasonable confidentiality to outsiders in return for candid advice. But when it comes to domestic legislation and not sensitive national-security affairs, the names and the advice of outside consultants and lobbyists should be discoverable according to law. ...

If "freedom" is the word Bush and Cheney want as the hallmark of their administration, they should begin with freedom of information.

-- William Safire on the administration blocking information, even on pure principle, and not any fear of negative reaction to the substance.