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Hillary Clinton has taken heat throughout her presidential campaign for not forcing the release of documents detailing her activities during her time as first lady. Conservative advocacy group Judicial Watch and rival Barack Obama, among others, have called on Clinton to intervene to expedite the release of the documents.

Obama had this to say on the matter: "We have just gone through one of the most secretive administrations in our history. And not releasing, I think, these records — at the same time, Hillary, that you're making the claim that this is the basis for your experience — I think, is a problem."

Now the Associated Press reports that the National Archives said today that "it expects to release Hillary Rodham Clinton's schedules as first lady later this month, but has asked a judge to delay the release of thousands of her telephone logs for one to two years."

Clinton critics suggest that the Clintons are intervening to keep the papers secret, while backers say releasing the records is a long and time-consuming process. A Horserace primer on the ins and outs of the (rather complicated) issue can be found here.

The National Archives said in a court filing it needs more time to process the phone logs sought by Judicial Watch. "The Archives has said limited staff has hampered the release of records and has accused Judicial Watch of trying to jump ahead of other pending Freedom of Information Act requests," the AP reports.

The AP also notes that archivists "have been sorting through 80 million pages of documents and 20 million e-mails from Bill Clinton's two terms."

Hillary Clinton has taken heat throughout her presidential campaign for not farcing the release of documents detailing her activities during her time as first lady. Conservative advocacy group Judicial Watch and rival Barack Obama, among others, have called on Clinton to intervene to expedite their release.

Obama had this to say on the matter: "We have just gone through one of the most secretive administrations in our history. And not releasing, I think, these records — at the same time, Hillary, that you're making the claim that this is the basis for your experience — I think, is a problem."

Now the Associated Press reports that the National Archives said that "it expects to release Hillary Rodham Clinton's schedules as first lady later this month, but has asked a judge to delay the release of thousands of her telephone logs for one to two years."

Clinton critics suggest that the Clintons are intervening to keep the papers secret, while backers say releasing the records is a long and time-consuming process. A Horserace primer on the ins and outs of the issue can be found here.

The National Archives said in a court filing it needs more time to process the phone logs sought by Judicial Watch. "The Archives has said limited staff has hampered the release of records and has accused Judicial Watch of trying to jump ahead of other pending Freedom of Information Act requests," the AP reports. The AP also notes that archivists "have been sorting through 80 million pages of documents and 20 million e-mails from Bill Clinton's two terms."

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At last week's Democratic presidential debate, Sen. Barack Obama criticized Sen. Hillary Clinton for not releasing records from her time as first lady.

"We have just gone through one of the most secretive administrations in our history," he said. "And not releasing, I think, these records — at the same time, Hillary, that you're making the claim that this is the basis for your experience — I think, is a problem."

If you are confused as to the context behind Obama's charge, you're not alone: Access to presidential papers is a complex issue, and one that has not been entirely resolved. But it's not impenetrable.

Here are the basics: Almost 30 years ago, The Presidential Records Act of 1978 decreed that White House records, beginning with those of Ronald Reagan, belong to the public. That meant that everything from emails to memos to minutes from private meetings – anything that might be considered government business – could be released into the public domain, according to CBS News White House Correspondent Mark Knoller.

That's easier said than done, of course. Presidents have the option of delaying the release of documents for 12 years, and 2001 executive order by President Bush gives them the option of delaying the release of many records indefinitely.

To gain access to the available documents, one can file a Freedom Of Information Act request – commonly known as a FOIA. But if you decide to do so, don't expect a prompt response. The National Archives and presidential libraries review all documents before they are made public, and according to the Associated Press, the National Archives at the Clinton Presidential Library in Little Rock has 78 million pages of Clinton documents and 20 million e-mail messages for its six staffers to sift through.

At last count, there are 287 pending FOIA requests for Clinton documents. Emily Robison, the acting director of the Clinton Library, wrote in a recent court filing that that means processing more than 10 million pages of presidential records.

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