Report: Obama may reverse Bush orders

WASHINGTON, Nov. 8 (UPI) -- U.S. President-elect Barack Obama may undo about 200 Bush administration decisions and executive orders, officials in Washington said.

Transition advisers to Obama have identified actions and executive orders on issues including climate change, stem-cell research and reproductive rights that can be reversed relatively swiftly, The Washington Post reported in its Sunday edition, citing congressional Democrats and Obama campaign officials.

Some four dozen advisers have worked for months to identify possible regulatory and policy changes that could be implemented soon after Obama takes office Jan. 20. The advisers have been consulting with potential administration appointees, congressional staffers and representatives of liberal advocacy groups to determine which changes should take priority, the Post said, citing a top transition official who could not speak on the record.

Former Clinton administration official Dan Mendelson told the newspaper the advisers are searching for regulations that were implemented by the Bush administration for "overtly political" reasons.

Transition spokeswoman Stephanie Cutter said plans for regulatory changes would not be finalized before Obama could discuss them with his Cabinet nominees, "none of whom have been selected yet."