Obama's New Assignment

Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) was up early this morning, beginning his new high-profile assignment: Being the Democratic Party's face of ethics and lobbying reform.

Shortly after 6 a.m. in Chicago, Obama was sitting in front of a bookcase, appearing on "Good Morning America" to talk about the Democratic plan to limit the perceived influence that lobbyists have on politics and policy in Washington.

His appearance was the beginning of a new public relations offensive Democrats have launched. They are responding to a plan released one day earlier by Republicans, who are attempting to diminish the fallout of the Jack Abramoff lobbying scandal that has shaken Capitol Hill.

"I think it's terrific that the Republicans have gotten religion on this," Obama said. "A lot of what had been taking place had been common knowledge in Washington for many years now."

Obama, of course, is just beginning his second year in Washington. But his talking points and assignment comes from Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), who asked Obama to be the Democratic salesman on ethics and lobbying reform.

When asked if Republicans were alone in their need for reform, Obama said: "Neither party has a monopoly on virtue."

"But on the particular sin of Jack Abramoff, that is a Republican sin," Obama said. "He was a pioneer fundraiser for George Bush. It is important for Democrats not to get on their high horse – this is going to take both parties to clean up."

Obama, though, had the floor to himself. A Republican counterpart, surprisingly, was not included in the segment on "Good Morning America."

Be sure that Republicans will respond, however, when Obama joins other Democratic leaders this afternoon at the Library of Congress to unveil the full package of ethics reforms.