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Obama "Passport Information" Breached

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Elections 2008
Posted on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 07:14:19 PM EST
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By Big Tent Democrat

Keith Olbermann is reporting that there has been a "security breach" of Senator Barack Obama's "passport information." The State Department has confirmed that 2 contract employees of the Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs have been terminated for accessing the Obama passport file. This occurred in January apparently.

Sounds like two dopes to me. I must ask, is there something secret about where Obama has traveled? I am surprised no one has asked Obama to release all his passport information actually. Check that, actually I am not surprised.

Howard Fineman is acting the fool as usual. (Yes, he is insinuating that Clinton is involved. I kid you not.) [More...]

First breach was January 9, second February 21 and third March 14. 3 different people did it. Apparently unconnected. 2 fired. 1 suspended. Andrea Mitchell is pointing fingers at the Bush Administration, especially Condi Rice. No criminal investigation, just an administrative violation.

Update (TL): Same thing happened to Bill Clinton in 1992.

< How Obama Supporters Can Hurt Obama | What's in a Passport File? >

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    Obama "Passport Information" Breached | 124 comments (124 topical)

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    Howard Fineman is a complete ass (5.00 / 5) (#1)
    by heineken1717 on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 07:16:44 PM EST
    and I want to hit myself for being a loyal Olbermann viewer for so long. What a blowhard he's become.

    Bias Network Reporting (5.00 / 1) (#132)
    by WakeUpAmerica1 on Fri Mar 21, 2008 at 01:16:26 PM EST
    I finally had enough last night and I emailed CNN and MSNBC. Now I know they could careless what I think if they even read my email. It was just to let out frustration. I told them they should change the name of their networks to ObamaTV. In my entire lifetime, I have never seen any candidate given so much opportunity to try and justify and explain the controversy that surrounds him. The thought of letting the host of any news show pick the leader of the free world by influencing less analytical viewers is appalling to me. While it is true I am a Clinton supporter, I do firmly believe the media should be fair, objective, and unbias where all candidates are concerned. So don't feel bad, I want to hit myself too for being an Olbermann viewer for so long.


    Parent
    How was Fineman insinuating it was related to (5.00 / 1) (#24)
    by Molly Bloom on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 07:30:48 PM EST
    Clinton. What I heard was that it was similar to what happened to Bill Clinton as the hand of George HW Bush (like father like son)- which is the first thing that went through my mind.

    What did I miss?

    His flip out (5.00 / 1) (#26)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 07:32:08 PM EST
    when he found out it was in January 2008. According to the Fineman theory, only Hillary Clinton would have had a motive then.

    You missed that apparently.

    Parent

    It was Bill Clinton. (5.00 / 2) (#82)
    by inclusiveheart on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 07:57:22 PM EST
    He has a part-time job entering data at the State Department.

    /snark

    Really, it is as if all of the Republicans have left the country and the only people in the world who could possibly be responsible for any political dirty tricks have to be the Clintons.  This line of thinking is getting on my last nerve.

    Parent

    God that's so stupid! (none / 0) (#33)
    by RalphB on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 07:34:42 PM EST


    Parent
    We had a bit of commotion here actually (none / 0) (#36)
    by Molly Bloom on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 07:35:07 PM EST
    Thanks for filling me in.

    Parent
    I wasn't sure I actually heard that (none / 0) (#46)
    by Cream City on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 07:40:16 PM EST
    from the next room.  Thanks for confirming Fineman actually said that, the fool.

    Fineman is the one who should be fired for that.

    Parent

    Now that fool Shuster is talking about (none / 0) (#57)
    by Cream City on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 07:45:22 PM EST
    "political dirty tricks."

    Parent
    OK now I have to look (none / 0) (#61)
    by waldenpond on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 07:46:42 PM EST
    I prefer to stay away....

    Parent
    I was trying to take it for the team (none / 0) (#67)
    by Cream City on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 07:49:27 PM EST
    and spare you that.  Y'know, like Kos saying that MI and FL were taking it for the team, although that was to spare themselves the horror of, gasp, voting again.

    Parent
    smoke and mirrors to the extreme (none / 0) (#64)
    by diplomatic on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 07:48:21 PM EST
    Just when I think MSNBC can't possibly shed the veneer of journalism any more drastically, they come with this.

    David Shuster used to be a SOLID, straight-shooting reporter.  WHAT THE HECK....  kool-aid is strong.

    Parent

    Yes (none / 0) (#74)
    by sas on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 07:53:18 PM EST
    it seems stupid.

    We have been watching Olberman on and off this evening, mostly to see how long he is going on about this.

    So far, 55 minutes...

    We are laughing at the "Dum -da-dum-dum" Dragnet quality about it, if you remember the musical intro to that show.

    Absolutely hysterical!

    Parent

    This was "imprudent curiousity" (none / 0) (#81)
    by Cream City on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 07:56:08 PM EST
    says the State Dept., by contract -- outsourced -- employees.

    Repeat, if Fineman so jumped the shark as to say this was by the Clinton campaign, he should be fired.  I am going to watch the show from the start when it reruns to see it for the letter I must write to his equally foolish editors.

    Parent

    I was watching the show and.... (5.00 / 2) (#119)
    by Tommyd on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 09:47:23 PM EST
    did not hear the specific "theory" suggested in the earlier part of the thread that Finneman is supposed to have said...   He had said early in the breaking part of the program that there is no way to know what might have been behind the breach....  The discussion has always focussed on the administrations established lack of credibility in such matters...   there was no focus or discussion as seems to be assumed here that the Clinton campaign was being painted as the source of this breach...  (or even suggested)
    I was hoping to see the replay at 9:00 pm central to see if I missed the phrase but it turns out that they are running a special edition and not doing the  rerun....

    The tone of this thread that MSNBC is making just too much of this is interesting to me...   This is a big deal just as it was a big deal in 91 when a special prosecutor was appointed to review a similiar breach by Bush I's administration on the passport file of Bill Clinton...   The possibility of the administration or it's operatives using the government to do opposition research on Clinton (ostensibly at the time to get information on Bill's time in England which was an issue in the campaign due to his supposed stand on the VietNam war at the time)...  

    Olberman's outrage has been focussed on the questions raised by the administration and the State Department (and rightfully so) as to the time difference between the breach and the notice given to Obama that his privacy had been breached...   no mention of Clinton except to summarize the experience mentioned above....  

    DAMN IT...   Let's get the outrage focussed where it belongs on an administration and Republican party which has actively sought to politicize every government organ of the executive branch and the bureaucracy....   The opposition research value of this passport file is extensive...  Early January was the time that the Right Wing Smear machine was on it's "He's a Muslim...  went to school in a madrassa in Indonesia" rant...  Obama's passport records would include his travels  as a child with his mother who was working on missions all over Asia...  Let's focus on forcing the state department to do a "REAL" investigation as to whether there was a political motivation of the contractors doing this and why a U.S. Citizen was not informed immediately of the first breach of his Private information....  Especially a declared Presidential Candidate from the other party!!!!

    Parent

    What's in a passport file (5.00 / 5) (#32)
    by Jeralyn on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 07:33:52 PM EST
    other than identifying information and where you traveled?

    State dept now says it was low level employees who were curious.

    Olbermann is apoplectic.

    Heh (5.00 / 6) (#34)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 07:34:51 PM EST
    Olbermann is constantly apopletic these days. His affection for Obama knows no bounds.

    Parent
    He is a disgrace (none / 0) (#42)
    by diplomatic on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 07:38:31 PM EST
    to the memory of Edward R. Murrow.  He can't possibly think he is following in his footsteps anymore.

    Parent
    Was this only (5.00 / 1) (#77)
    by Andy08 on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 07:54:21 PM EST
    info about his passport as US Senator?

    When the articles about how Obama neglected his job as chairman of the US Senate Foreign Relations subcommittee on Europe (which oversees Nato) there were several questions as to whether he had ever been in Europe, traveled there before.  

    He said that "he had been in Europe many times before" (he was US Senator)

    He was asked whether he would show his regular passport (whether he would release it to support  his extensive travels in Europe). What he said was that he didn't have his passport anymore b/c it had been exchanged for a new passport as recently
    while US Senator...

    Maybe his old passport is on file ??

    Weird....

    Parent

    Meetings with others (none / 0) (#51)
    by Cream City on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 07:41:42 PM EST
    overseas, etc., according to some stories -- that the State Dept. keeps all sorts of detailed files.

    Parent
    Uhm... (none / 0) (#62)
    by Kathy on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 07:47:07 PM EST
    aren't there senate (state and fed) records that show trips senators take out of the country?

    I guess Obama hasn't released those, though.

    Parent

    He hasn't (none / 0) (#79)
    by Andy08 on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 07:55:38 PM EST
    I think.

    Parent
    The real test (none / 0) (#60)
    by standingup on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 07:46:36 PM EST
    will be whether or not they update their reporting with the new information from the State Department.  

    Parent
    I'm thinking (none / 0) (#83)
    by Anne on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 07:57:29 PM EST
    the passport information is really, really thin, and will significantly undermine his ability to claim he's got the chops to handle foreign policy when most of his out-of-country experience occurred years ago.

    If only he had taken some trips as chair of that forlorn subcommittee...

    Parent

    Don't US Senators (none / 0) (#90)
    by Kathy on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 08:03:25 PM EST
    have security clearance?  Isn't this done through background checks?  I have had a background check (don't ask) and it's pretty darn extensive.  They talk to your whole family, dig up your buried pets in the backyard, measure all the underwear in your drawers to make sure it is, in fact, yours--and so on.

    Also, passports are good for ten years.  Obama would have been in his thirties (at least) when he got a new one.

    Just throwing this out there.

    Parent

    There is more personal information (none / 0) (#131)
    by FlaDemFem on Fri Mar 21, 2008 at 12:22:11 PM EST
    on tax returns, which are routinely released by candidates, than there is in a passport file. I don't see what the fuss is about. So a couple of contractors got nosy, big deal. These are the same contractors that Obama wants to keep, right? I seem to recall that he is for maintaining contractor employment by the government. So, now he is upset because they weren't as ethical as a regular State Dept. employees. Who knew??

    Parent
    Everyone grab a shovel! (5.00 / 4) (#35)
    by diplomatic on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 07:35:02 PM EST
    MSNBC must have had a meeting that went something like this:

    "Obama can't dig this hole by himself fast enough... so let's come up with something petty and cast aspersions on Clinton to distract people while lamenting that we aren't talking about real issues.  Pay no attention to the elephant in the room.  Things are going great.  The MATH! The MATH!"

    Can't Face the Truth (5.00 / 0) (#43)
    by Athena on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 07:39:08 PM EST
    Just posted the exact same thought - all the sycophants will be looking for distractions to avoid the train wreck right in front of them.  Only FOX will cover Obama's ongoing slide.

    Parent
    Well... (5.00 / 3) (#84)
    by Andy08 on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 07:59:24 PM EST
    Obama went to Larry King Live and kept on saying that Clinton keeps on playing the "kitchen sink strategy" and throwing all the  recent "dirt" to him. Mmmmmm I didn't know Hillary Clinton introduced
    Obama to Wright 20 years and.....

    Whatever....

    Parent

    He pulled the same sleazy move before (none / 0) (#96)
    by diplomatic on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 08:08:50 PM EST
    Remember that Drudge photo?  After publicly taking Hillary's word for it that she was not involved, he was going around a couple of days later in MS directly blaming her for pushing the photo.  The "Obama in traditional garb" photo.

    Parent
    MSNBC (5.00 / 2) (#41)
    by Dave B on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 07:37:23 PM EST
    BTD, you mean you are still watching MSNBC and Olbermann?

    I can't stomach them any more that I can stomach Daily Kos anymore.

    Blaming the Clinton campaign without proof is almost criminal.  Last time I peaked in for a minute, Fineman was really heated up talking about how the Clintons will "do anything" to win.  These people are sick.  I'm convinced that MSNBC anchors are doing all their research at Kos.  I think someone decided it was a great way to appeal to Democrats.  Well, maybe half of them anyhow huh?

    Can they be sued? (4.00 / 0) (#48)
    by diplomatic on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 07:40:23 PM EST
    This seems to have crossed some sort of line.  What MSNBC does should be a crime.

    Parent
    Well then, eventually he'll be down to (none / 0) (#44)
    by Teresa on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 07:39:30 PM EST
    around 150,000 viewers minus the strikers. :)

    Parent
    NBC is disappointed (5.00 / 2) (#47)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 07:40:23 PM EST
    that it really looks hard to point the finger at Hillary.

    I find it... sad that they are pointing the finger (5.00 / 1) (#54)
    by tigercourse on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 07:43:31 PM EST
    at anyone, whether it is Clinton or Rice or the Boogey Man. Shouldn't they have some... what's the word... proof! before they go around making insinuations? I can't believe how naive I am for just writing that.

    Somali photo (5.00 / 3) (#56)
    by nell on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 07:45:20 PM EST
    They did the same thing with the Somali photo. Took Drudge's word for it that it came from some associated with Clinton, though he has yet to provide any proof of this. Nevermind the fact that the photo had been available at right wing sites, nevermind the fact that it was featured on the National Enquirer.

    Parent
    I agree and I am ... (none / 0) (#94)
    by Marco21 on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 08:06:09 PM EST
    afraid to go over to the Huffington Post. I am sure everyone there is gabbing about how Hillary planted those workers in the State Department and yadda yadda...

    But if someone brings up Clinton's passport breach  in 1992...ignored.

    That's what I am expecting anyway.

    Parent

    This is so silly (5.00 / 1) (#69)
    by flyerhawk on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 07:50:42 PM EST
    If some idiots in the State Department broke the law they should be punished.  

    I have a hard time believing that Hillary's campaign cares one bit about Obama's passport.

    Has Keith calmed down yet? (5.00 / 2) (#80)
    by Marco21 on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 07:56:01 PM EST
    He does know Obama is safe at CNN tonight right?

    Oh, looky (5.00 / 2) (#100)
    by Marco21 on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 08:12:05 PM EST
    Here's I think the 5th post down on Huffpo

    "This is just too much! This is horrible. If they find out that Hillary or any of her supporters did this, she should drop out."

    LOL. Hilarious.

    I just snorted a drink out of my nose (none / 0) (#124)
    by diplomatic on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 11:43:09 PM EST
    really happened.  This was too funny.

    Parent
    A distraction is created (5.00 / 1) (#106)
    by lily15 on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 08:22:48 PM EST
    to wipe Rev. Wright off the news.  This is a fake breach of security, a fake event in terms of importance...meaningless.  Probably star gazing.  But Olbermann doesn't want to keep talking about Michigan, Florida and Wright...let alone Obama's lying.  

    OK now (5.00 / 2) (#111)
    by sas on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 08:53:37 PM EST
    it's one hour and 52 minutes straight on MSNBC on the "passport" thing.

    "God know what they will find there!"  

    Hey - take a look at my passport file!  

    Please!  You'll fall asleep!

    LOL @ this not being serious to you all (2.33 / 3) (#11)
    by Raheem on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 07:24:25 PM EST
    If this was Hillary you would all want the person in prison

    I want them in prison (5.00 / 2) (#22)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 07:29:30 PM EST
    They still sound like dopes to me.

    I guess that is something you find hard to understand.

    Psssst, it happened to Bill Clinton in 1992.

    Parent

    By the other Bush State Dept at that. (none / 0) (#27)
    by RalphB on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 07:32:24 PM EST


    Parent
    no it isn't (none / 0) (#120)
    by myed2x on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 09:56:17 PM EST
    it just seems hard for people here to understand that it was treated as a very serious matter back when it happened to B Clinton -special prosecutor etc etc, yet now that it is happening to OB it's merely fluff, unimportant, nothing to see here move along...it's getting harder and harder to take some of the posters here seriously, or differentiate them from your Republican opponents.

    Parent
    If it happened to Hillary... (5.00 / 1) (#113)
    by Maria Garcia on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 08:57:15 PM EST
    ...one thing for sure, I wouldn't be blaming Obama, I'd be blaming the knuckleheads who are currently in control of the State Department.

    Parent
    actually.... (none / 0) (#15)
    by kredwyn on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 07:27:08 PM EST
    You'd want them to be dealt with according to whatever rules are relevant. If the next step is legal, then that should be the next step.

    Parent
    Why do you say that? (none / 0) (#52)
    by Cream City on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 07:42:35 PM EST
    Cite specific comments causing you to say that, please.  Thanks.

    Parent
    Two years from now, everything bad that (none / 0) (#4)
    by Teresa on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 07:19:34 PM EST
    happens to President Obama will still be Hillary Clinton's fault.

    Some of the posters here have said that Fox news has become better of late. Well, I tried it a few times this week and they are after Obama big time. Now that he seems the probable nominee, the right is attacking him and looking for dirt. Yet it is still Hillary's fault.

    And if Fox news is now fair, you sure can't convince me of that.

    For some time (5.00 / 3) (#12)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 07:25:37 PM EST
    Faux was an equal opportunity hater of both candidates.   That is much easier to tolerate than kissers like Olbermann who find one candidate perfect, and the other a MONSTAH!

    However, the Wright debacle has decidedly tipped Fauxes "fair and balanced" hatred.  They definitely are skewing the hate toward Obama.

    Parent

    President Obama? (none / 0) (#7)
    by tek on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 07:22:07 PM EST
    I doubt it.

    Parent
    You're almost right (none / 0) (#29)
    by Democratic Cat on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 07:32:31 PM EST
    I predict half of it will be Hillary's fault and the other half will be Michelle's. They will clearly turn their guns on her just as soon as possible.

    Parent
    But Obama hasn't gone anywhere except (none / 0) (#6)
    by oculus on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 07:21:37 PM EST
    TJ and he didn't need a passport to go there then.

    But you forgot Kenya. (none / 0) (#8)
    by oculus on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 07:22:16 PM EST


    Parent
    don't forget Poland. (none / 0) (#78)
    by diplomatic on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 07:54:52 PM EST


    Parent
    TJ strikes again (none / 0) (#73)
    by diplomatic on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 07:53:18 PM EST


    Parent
    Can't believe MSNB still covering the passport (none / 0) (#9)
    by TalkRight on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 07:22:46 PM EST
    thing.. oh my!!

    Think Brittany Spears medical records (5.00 / 2) (#10)
    by oculus on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 07:24:01 PM EST
    at U.C.L.A.

    Parent
    you should be ashamed for knowing about that (5.00 / 1) (#18)
    by Kathy on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 07:28:30 PM EST


    Parent
    I was thinking the same thing (none / 0) (#20)
    by Warren Terrer on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 07:28:56 PM EST
    Could be a couple of enthusiastic Obama supporters who just couldn't resist taking a peek at his file.

    Parent
    Distraction (none / 0) (#38)
    by Athena on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 07:35:53 PM EST
    It's a way for MSNBC not to cover Obama's fall in the polls and off the pedestal.  They will go wall to wall.

    Parent
    Well, KO did get the tip from Obama's (5.00 / 2) (#63)
    by Cream City on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 07:47:22 PM EST
    campaign, KO said, and just before showtime.

    Now, if KO really knew his Murrow history, he'd know that breaking stories on deadline was an old Joe McCarthy trick, over and over.  It meant that media had to go with what Joe gave them, without time to check it.  (See Ed Bayley's book, Joe McCarthy and the Press.)

    Parent

    I hope he does another (none / 0) (#70)
    by Kathy on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 07:51:41 PM EST
    Special Comment, chastising Clinton for digging up this information in January and using it to destroy Obama's chance at getting the nomination.

    Parent
    Old McCarthy trick? Someone should email that (none / 0) (#110)
    by jawbone on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 08:52:44 PM EST
    to KO.

    They are being such drama queens tonight!

    Good grief, KO&Co needs to calm down.

    Eagleburger told them that when he was on. Didnt' slow them down.

    Boys' Locker Room goes all Gossip Girl

    Parent

    exactly! (none / 0) (#121)
    by myed2x on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 10:02:17 PM EST
    The breach of records of a contestant for the Presidential nomination for the USA by federal employees* is comparable to that of a mentally unstable harlet who is propped up by a corrupt recording industry having her medical records viewed...how could we ever misconstrue.

    *Also ignore the fact that the entire government has been politicized and had cronies planted throughout by the Republicans which should instantly make this an item of interest....yup nothing to see here move along.

    argh.

    Parent

    I hear The Onion is going bankrupt. (5.00 / 2) (#115)
    by ghost2 on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 09:15:43 PM EST
    They simply can't compete in this environment.  

    Parent
    I looked it isn't on CNN (none / 0) (#16)
    by waldenpond on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 07:27:46 PM EST
    or Fox.  If this was something CNN would be ALL over it.  Nope,..... here it comes.  I wonder if someone was trying to find out when he was in Europe.

    Parent
    it was mentioned on CNN and they (none / 0) (#58)
    by nycstray on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 07:45:44 PM EST
    moved on. I guess if something else comes out they'll switch back. I switched over to MSNBC to see what it was about after seeing the post here, lol!~

    Parent
    Are you still lol (none / 0) (#65)
    by waldenpond on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 07:49:08 PM EST
    it is stiiiillllll going on.  Is it just me, or am I watching one of the evening sting shows?

    Parent
    it's funny as all heck and it's going into the (none / 0) (#88)
    by nycstray on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 08:02:48 PM EST
    next show, LOL!~

    some of the descriptions KO was using had me with my jaw hanging open. you would THINK something MAJOR happened!

    and the Obama campaign is also way too far out there . . .

    Parent

    It is!!!! (none / 0) (#101)
    by waldenpond on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 08:12:21 PM EST
    This is too good.  Break out the popcorn, hand me a beer... I like to watch without the volume.  Watching the drama enfold via the twitching, eye bulging, lip licking.... nothing better than KO, and those that come after, with no volume.

    Parent
    I used to do the same thing when Dubya was on (none / 0) (#102)
    by Angel on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 08:14:54 PM EST
    the tee-vee.  Couldn't stand to listen to him but boy was he fun to watch, all the twitches and ticks and facial expressions.  Like watching an old silent movie.

    Parent
    9:20 and STILL going?! (none / 0) (#107)
    by nycstray on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 08:22:52 PM EST
    O.M.G.!

    just poured myself a glass of wine and am thankful my dog isn't ready for her evening walk yet. i want to see how they spin out of this stupidity!

    "stunning information" "monumental incompetence" lol!~

    Parent

    9:36 .... (none / 0) (#109)
    by waldenpond on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 08:37:44 PM EST
    Tucker trotted out.   volume up... this is good for Obama, gets this off Wright. volume down....

    Parent
    Too bad Obama was on CNN (5.00 / 1) (#118)
    by nycstray on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 09:44:27 PM EST
    discussing Wright, lol!~

    kinda counter active towards the goal . . .

    Parent

    oh, gosh! (none / 0) (#13)
    by Turkana on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 07:26:48 PM EST
    you mean we may have a candidate who has traveled overseas?!?!?! the horror! there goes the xenophobe vote!

    For th first (none / 0) (#14)
    by talkingpoint on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 07:26:51 PM EST
     time in my adult life I am not feeling proud o be democrat, and considering becoming an independent. Howard Dean, in my opinion is giving the party a black eye. He is doing everything to stop the most electable democrat (Hillary) from getting the nomnation. Did the democratic party lost their minds? Do they want to loose in November? If they don't do someting for the electable candidate, then I would become convinced that they have gone completely mad.

    "The electable candidate" (none / 0) (#112)
    by diogenes on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 08:55:32 PM EST
    Thanks to Hillary's scorched earth policy the electable candidate right now is AL GORE.  Someone draft him please.

    Parent
    Care to back that up (none / 0) (#114)
    by Marvin42 on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 09:03:42 PM EST
    What scorched earth policies? You mean running for the nomination? Not folding when she hasn't lost? Or her evil plot to make Sen Obama put himself in a really bad spot?

    Parent
    Looks as if he lost his undy.... (none / 0) (#19)
    by TalkRight on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 07:28:56 PM EST
    Obama's campaing ...

    this is outrageous ... this breach may have been used for political purposes... we want full investigation.
    If only (5.00 / 7) (#23)
    by Warren Terrer on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 07:30:23 PM EST
    Obama (or Clinton) showed such outrage over Bush spying on America. Sigh.

    Parent
    can I give you a 10? (5.00 / 2) (#28)
    by Molly Bloom on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 07:32:26 PM EST


    Parent
    Actually (5.00 / 2) (#66)
    by magster on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 07:49:14 PM EST
    This abuse fits quite nicely in our narrative about how Bush can't be trusted with warrantless wiretaps.

    Parent
    Only bothers some people if it (none / 0) (#75)
    by inclusiveheart on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 07:54:10 PM EST
    happens to them - otherwise it is okey-dokey.

    Parent
    two fired.. third (5.00 / 1) (#25)
    by TalkRight on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 07:31:07 PM EST
    disciplined..

     happened in early Jan

    Parent

    CNN has cut over after breaking news (none / 0) (#30)
    by TalkRight on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 07:33:38 PM EST
    MSNBC .. keith still struggling to cover ...

    Parent
    Milking the Story (5.00 / 1) (#39)
    by Athena on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 07:37:07 PM EST
    KO in deep torment over this...oh, the agony.

    Parent
    Time for his moment of SNL infamy (5.00 / 1) (#53)
    by diplomatic on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 07:43:16 PM EST
    Break out the sketch...

    Parent
    KO ready (5.00 / 1) (#108)
    by sas on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 08:25:31 PM EST
    to explode ....or maybe cry ouyt "Oh the injustice of it all."

    Sorry,I shouldn't be sacastic, but c'mon - this is absolutely ridiculous, now it is one hour and 24 minutes on this....

    "if this information is disseminated...",

    What....we'll find out he went to Kenya?

    Can you imagine?

    Parent

    Anything , anything at all (5.00 / 1) (#76)
    by ding7777 on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 07:54:18 PM EST
    to stop the Wright discussion

    Parent
    You got it -- and the quotes today (5.00 / 2) (#85)
    by Cream City on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 07:59:27 PM EST
    from Kerry, McCaskill, and Obama himself.  

    Not news, says MSNBC.  Move along now. . . .

    Parent

    Those quotes got good play though (none / 0) (#93)
    by nycstray on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 08:05:05 PM EST
    i think the Obama campaign was a bit slow with this latest news leak. 5 or 6pm would have been a bit better  ;)

    Parent
    What other news? In the Obama world (none / 0) (#99)
    by diplomatic on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 08:10:56 PM EST
    there is only one channel, one man, one truth!

    MSNBC, Olbermann.  Watch it. Believe it.

    Parent

    OOPS! (none / 0) (#104)
    by nycstray on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 08:18:50 PM EST
    I forgot the mantra!  ;)

    I'm cautious as to what i watch these days. I want my TV to last through the election cycle. Just turned off Larry King. Draft my first of 2 fantasy baseball teams this weekend,  so i'll have even more of a buffer, lol!~  ;)

    Parent

    this story was first leaked to... (none / 0) (#122)
    by Tommyd on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 10:04:00 PM EST
    The Washington Times...   supposedly it was a reporter from the Times that asked a question about it to officials at the state department that finally informed Rice about what had happened in her Department...   Who at the state department leaked the information about these breaches to the Washington Times?

    Parent
    OK (5.00 / 2) (#95)
    by sas on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 08:08:43 PM EST
    now Olberman spent the entire hour on the passport.

    Now it is 9:07 PM eastern, and it's Dan Abrams yakking about the passport................

    Nothing reported about how today  Barack said his grandmother is a "typical white person".

    Nothing reported about how John Kerry said Obama would be a good person to deal with the mideast because he is "a black man."  pulling sort of a reverse-Ferraro. (ie OK by Obama rules)

    Nothing reported about Obama tanking in the polls.

    Oh well, it is MSNBC - ie "Main Stream News Barack Channel".

    Parent

    Actually... (none / 0) (#21)
    by waldenpond on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 07:29:13 PM EST
    some bloggers have sniped back with the request that he release his passport info.

    Media's excuse (none / 0) (#40)
    by nell on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 07:37:14 PM EST
    to give Obama an out from the bad press he is getting. If this happened in January, why is it only being reported now? And what is the big deal with passports anyways? What could possibly be in there. And in the interests of transparency, shouldn't he release those records anyways?

    because.... (none / 0) (#123)
    by Tommyd on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 10:08:26 PM EST
    tho the first breach happened in January... Until this afternoon the only ones aware of the Breach were the State Department and and ostensibly the administration...  That in itself is a issue...  why does it take 3 breaches and 3 months to inform a U.S. Citizen (ANY U.S. citizen) that their private information had been compromised...


    Parent
    Here's what's in your passport file (none / 0) (#45)
    by Jeralyn on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 07:40:04 PM EST
    The following possible forms:

    Passport
    --  DS-0010 Birth Affidavit  [ 205 Kb]
    --  DS-0011 Application for U.S. Passport or Registrations (Fillable) [ 1001 Kb]
    --  DS-0011 Application for U.S. Passport or Registrations (Non-Fillable) [ 743 Kb]
    --  DS-0060 Affidavit Regarding Change of Name  [ 222 Kb]
    --  DS-0064 Statement Regarding Lost or Stolen Passport  [ 231 Kb]
    --  DS-0071 Affidavit of Identifying Witness  [ 215 Kb]
    --  DS-0082 Application for U.S. Passport by Mail (Fillable) [ 717 Kb]
    --  DS-0082 Application for U.S. Passport by Mail (Non-Fillable) [ 787 Kb]
    --  DS-0086 Statement of Nonreceipt of Passport [ 236 Kb]
    --  DS-1173 Passport File Request Form [ 224 Kb]
    --  DS-3053 Statement of Consent: Issuance of a Passport to a Minor under Age 16 (Fillable) [ 157 Kb]
    --  DS-3053 Statement of Consent: Issuance of a Passport to a Minor under Age 16 (Non-Fillable) [ 143 Kb]
    --  DS-3077 Request for Entry into Children's Passport Issuance Alert Program [ 207 Kb]
    --  DS-4085 Application for Additional Visa Pages (Fillable) [ 729 Kb]
    --  DS-4085 Application for Additional Visa Pages (Non-Fillable) [ 614 Kb]
    --  DS-5504 U.S. Passport Re-Application (Fillable) [ 955 Kb]
    --  DS-5504 U.S. Passport Re-Application (Non-Fillable) [ 881


    Heh (none / 0) (#49)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 07:40:46 PM EST


    Parent
    Do a new post (none / 0) (#50)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 07:41:13 PM EST
    OR put it in an update.

    Parent
    okay (5.00 / 2) (#55)
    by Jeralyn on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 07:44:45 PM EST
    I will

    Parent
    My GOD! (none / 0) (#68)
    by Kathy on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 07:49:52 PM EST
    I cannot believe this information is out there.  Think of what the terrorists could do!!!

    Parent
    Hopefully it shows the passport photo (none / 0) (#71)
    by nycstray on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 07:51:49 PM EST
    also. Mine actually turned out pretty darn nice, or so the guys at the airport told me, lol!~

    Parent
    What's to say (none / 0) (#87)
    by Ben Masel on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 08:02:18 PM EST
    the file's limited to those forms?

    Parent
    There ya go. I agree -- (none / 0) (#98)
    by Cream City on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 08:10:18 PM EST
    and I do want to know more about this.

    But I can wait until there actually is a story with facts, rather than see MSNBC fill an hour with fools.  Oh, and now it's into the second hour. . . .

    But time has made them no wiser.  They're still fools.

    Parent

    Two interesting items (none / 0) (#116)
    by ghost2 on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 09:21:41 PM EST
    Birth affidavit (was he really born in Hawaii?)

    Affidavit Regarding Change of Name, ummm

    One gets a new passport every 5 or 10 years (here in Canada, it's every 5), but I suspect, the office would keep all the old files.

    Parent

    Yes (none / 0) (#129)
    by facta non verba on Fri Mar 21, 2008 at 12:23:52 AM EST
    Obama was born in Hawaii and yes it was a state in 1961. Before we get all too silly with this.

    Parent
    Maybe Obama is ashamed of the passport (none / 0) (#59)
    by diplomatic on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 07:45:52 PM EST
    Considering how little he has traveled abroard (except for Africa) it must not have a lot of stamps.

    Except that (none / 0) (#72)
    by flyerhawk on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 07:52:16 PM EST
    your file wouldn't have that information.  

    My current passport has only 2 stamps on it.  However I have lived in 2 different countries and traveled to MANY different countries, mostly in Europe.  

    Doesn't mean much.

    Parent

    At least you have to have (none / 0) (#89)
    by Andy08 on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 08:03:07 PM EST
    the re-entries back into the US though...(they are registered electrically and go to your records
    and depending on the US airport you get a stamp as well).

    Parent
    meant (none / 0) (#91)
    by Andy08 on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 08:03:28 PM EST
    "electronically"

    Parent
    Sure (none / 0) (#97)
    by flyerhawk on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 08:09:16 PM EST
    But those stamps are gone when you get a new passport.  

    Parent
    Not at the State Dept (5.00 / 1) (#103)
    by RalphB on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 08:17:49 PM EST
    only on your new passport.  State still has their records on entries.


    Parent
    The recent (none / 0) (#105)
    by Andy08 on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 08:19:25 PM EST
    records which are electronic stay on file. The old passport I don't remeber if you keep or you exchange (?) But Obama said he exchanged his for an "official" one as US Senator. His implication was that the Gov. has his old one somewhere; but that's what he said; I don't know if this is so for Senators.

    Parent
    I have all my passports (none / 0) (#128)
    by facta non verba on Fri Mar 21, 2008 at 12:22:14 AM EST
    You get to keep them.

    Parent
    i hope nothing happens to (none / 0) (#117)
    by TheRefugee on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 09:30:09 PM EST
    the Obama family cat.  I'd hate to see the headline:

    Clinton Campaign linked to disappearance of Obama cat.  How Low will Hillary go?

    Crazy (none / 0) (#125)
    by stopcomplainingandact on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 11:44:20 PM EST
    Could you people be any more ignorant, you attack a man for having his privacy violated.  This is a sad state to see you people attack MSNBC and Obama.  I've listened to the report, we have nothing to go on.  Wait until the investigation is completed but be dilligent to get the truth.  I don't believe Hillary have any reason to do this or advantage.  But the bottom line is a law has been broken and your victimizing everyone but the people who should be blamed.  The administration.  Focus your anger on something thats important.  Like it or not Obama has a better chance to be our nominee then Clinton.  So get on board or go to talkright and spew your hate and divisive rhetoric, that's where it belongs.

    One last thing (none / 0) (#126)
    by stopcomplainingandact on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 11:49:19 PM EST
    Don't take this too lightly either, we don't know the purpose.  Maybe it was frivilous and was three crazy wacky contractors Obamasized who in two week increments checked on Obama's passport information.  Or maybe there is some alternative reason that has not emerged.  Either way it's speculation.  Fight for the rights of Americans don't buy into this hate.  

    Democratic President in 2009!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Wasn't Bill Clinton's (none / 0) (#127)
    by facta non verba on Fri Mar 21, 2008 at 12:16:27 AM EST
    passport file breached in the 1992 campaign? Seems to me that the GOP is up to its old dirty tricks playbook. Back then, if I remember correctly, they were arguing about a Bill Clinton trip to Moscow as a Rhodes Scholar. Does this ring a bell with anyone?

    Watergate all over again... (none / 0) (#130)
    by claudius on Fri Mar 21, 2008 at 12:33:38 AM EST
    Well, maybe not.  But this is an important story.  Privacy is an important issue for me; I don't want government workers going through my documents.  Let's not let what Fineman or Olbermann sidetrack us from the issue here.

    Obama "Passport Information" Breached | 124 comments (124 topical)

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