The White House has been putting out all the little fires caused by Barack Obama trying to become the most transparent president ever – even going so far as to censor the president’s jokes about his personal finances. During a fundraising stump speech, Obama remarked about his desk in Chicago. “One of the nice things about being home is actually that it’s a little bit like a time capsule,” Obama said. “Because Michelle and I and the kids, we left so quickly that there’s still junk on my desk, including some unpaid bills – I think eventually they got paid – but they’re sort of stacked up. And messages, newspapers and all kinds of stuff.” At first, the White House deleted the uncomfortable spot about unpaid bills. But after a few journalists called the White House out on Twitter, it changed the transcript, adding some opportune white noise, replacing the bills comment with “(inaudible).” Last week, Obama’s credit card was declined. Maybe he, too, will leave the White House “dead broke.” More…

Update: White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest says this is really no big deal, and, in fact, it proves how awesome the Obama administration is. “There was a problem with the recording of the event,” Earnest explained. “I will take this opportunity to remind all of you, something you all know, that the only reason that we’re having this discussion is because of the unprecedented commitment to transparency that this administration has put in place by opening up the president’s comment at fundraisers and private homes to oppress coverage.”