They billed themselves as an administration that would boast unparalleled transparency, a veritable open book, welcoming the inspection of the American people.  Unfortunately, it seems not a day goes by when the President, or one of his subordinates, fails to live up to the promise.

Today, we turn our attention to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, who claimed Sunday that the government would release records about the cash for clunkers program. 

The problem? 

They’ve given no time frame, did not promise to release the data before Congress votes on the additional $2 billion in funding, and worst of all, will not release any numbers regarding what cars people were purchasing with the stimulus cash. 

According to the AP, the DOT has received regular updates regarding the sales data, including details of transactions supplied by each car dealer.  This isn’t a matter of the information being unavailable, or not-yet-compiled.  They have it and it’s ready to go, they just won’t release it.

Why not?  Well, Ray LaHood has been touting the program as a  major savior for the auto industry.  He’s also gone on record claiming the trade-in deal is good for the country as a whole, protective of the environment, and obviously, a major bonus for car buyers.  Unfortunately, it’s difficult to judge the assertions unless we know what people are buying.

LaHood has repeatedly gone on record saying that the Ford Focus is the number one car being purchased, but is markedly less forthcoming when asked about the rest of the vehicles being sold. Indeed, according to the AP, the limited data so far released shows that foreign auto-makers may be receiving the biggest benefit from the program.  Six of the top ten cars purchased were made by Honda, Toyota, and Hyundai.

LaHood claims that the new cars being sold are, on average, 61% more fuel efficient than the ones traded in (ignoring the massive environmental damage being done by squashing and “landfilling” the trade-ins) and, even if they are from foreign companies, the vehicles are being made in American plants.  Still, there’s no way to verify any of his statements without the DOT numbers that LaHood himself refuses to release.

At a time when LaHood is campaigning hard for the additional $2 billion in cash for clunkers funding, it’s easy to see why the Transportation Secretary is being cagey with the numbers.  If they reveal that the majority of cars being purchased are foreign, support for the program will obviously dry up.  Likewise, his already dubious environmental claims could be dashed if we learn that SUV’s are leaving the lots in droves.

Might we suggest, if the administration is going to ask Congress to approve the additional $2 billion, they at least stipulate that the money should only be spent on product from domestic auto-makers?  After all, the government owns two of them.  It just makes good fiscal sense.

And, as always, let’s try to work on that transparency thing while you’re at it.

-Robert Laurie