>>>
there are other changes here in washington, like the new chairman of the
house committee on oversight and government reform
. it's also called the
watch dog
committee. california republican darrell isa is coming across like, well, an angry
watch dog
. our report from nbc's
andrea mitchell
.
>> reporter:
he's a new cop on the beat. the republican's top
watch dog
, potentially the obama administration's worst nightmare. even before the election, he put
president obama
on notice, telling
rush limbaugh
--
>>
he's been one of the most corrupt presidents in
modern times
.
>> reporter:
today, a very different tone.
>>
i've got a president who inherently wants to get along with me so we can agree on things.
>> reporter:
but he's laid out an ambitious agenda, investigating wikileaks,
fannie mae
, and the bank bailout. as many as 280 hearings in the first year. and he's already sent more that be 150 letters to industry lobbyists, asking which regulations they would like killed?
>>
they must be extremely happy to have in the chairman of the committee someone who basically says, come on down, show me what you don't like.
>> reporter:
issa
's spokesman says that's no different than
president obama
holding a summit with industry leaders, or considering a chief of staff with ties to business. but
issa
also plans to ask officials like tom donilon to testify, reminding veterans of the clinton years of
dan burton
when he had
issa
's job.
>>
i know, but what i can't understand is why you can't give us an answer.
>>
it doesn't matter where the question is political, ridiculous, if there's a subpoena attached to it, you're required by law to produce the documents it asks for.
>> reporter:
the democrats have had the gavel. now the tables are turned.
>>
the biggest pitfall would be if these investigations are perceived as being
witch hunts
and political in nature as opposed to focused on substance and policy.
>> reporter:
andrea mitchell
, nbc news, washington.
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