Barack Obama might not like his cronies testifying before Congress now that he occupies the Oval Office, but he took a very different position as a candidate last year. At the time Obama said:

I think that nobody is above the law. If there are specific assertions of executive privilege, then, you know, those can be examined. But I think this notion, this blanket notion that you can’t subpoena White House aides, where there’s evidence of genuine wrongdoing, I think is completely misguided.

You know, as I recall, Richard Nixon mounted similar arguments. That’s not how we operate. We’re a nation of laws and not men and women. So, you know — and my — that’s a precedent I don’t mind living with as president of the United States.

But now he’s in power and its one of his cronies that Congress wants to question. Where is the Obama White House on such matters? Let’s ask Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, shall we?

I think, you know, that, based on separation of powers, staff here don’t go to testify in front of Congress.

Barack Obama in 2008: No one’s above Congressional testimony.

Barack Obama in 2009: Except my cronies.

(Thanks to HAH.)