Many nonpartisans as well as leftist Democrats (ordinary liberals are too much of institutionalist authoritarians to be too outraged) criticized both of these instances of direct evasion of transparency. The Bush administration was a disaster on transparency. I find it shameful that that is where the bar is set. It's embarrassing not just politically but institutionally.

Elected Republicans, of course, acted in bad faith, as you mention. Make no mistake, however, there are many who find the lapses of both administrations disturbing for a government "of the people, by the people, and for the people".