Watchdogs look to pressure President Obama after Solyndra, LightSquared

Watchdog groups are ramping up pressure on President Obama’s transparency record after two potential scandals involving his Administration’s use of political pressure to help donors secure federal money.

The two emerging scenarios appear to bear a tinge of cronyism for Obama’s Administration and could severely hurt the president in his 2012 reelection bid if he doesn't move to strengthen transparency and whistleblower protection laws, according to political experts and the watchdog groups. Then-Senator Obama campaigned vigorously on the promise of transparency and has painted his as one of the most transparent administrations. But the federal loan to solar company Solyndra and regulatory approval for wireless provider LightSquared The White House has denied wrongdoing in regard to both Solyndra and LightSquared. President Obama has a mixed track record with regard to fulfilling his promises on ethical and transparent government. According to PolitiFact, of the 17 promises he made - such as releasing presidential records and increasing protection for whistleblowers - he has kept five, broken three, compromised on two, and three are stalled, while 4 are “in the works.”