Standing Independent

This was something that came up in comments, so I thought I'd like to Doug Elmendorf's explanation of the Congressional Budget Office's independence from the White House. I really don't think visiting the White House in a professional capacity should be interpreted as some sign of fealty to the President of the United States, though I can understand the symbolism of turning down a social invitation as a form of political protest. The White House is, after all, a working office. People go there for meetings, even folks who don't particularly like or agree with the President.