March 20, 2008
Breach
Barack Obama's passport records were accessed by two State Department workers on three occasions this year. The AP is reporting that the individuals involved were "contract" employees since terminated. A third person, who reportedly also pulled the information, has been reprimanded.
Here are the dates the material was pulled:
Jan. 9 (day after NH primary)
Feb. 21 (two days after WI primary)
March 14
The Obama campaign is calling for a full investigation conducted by the Inspector General's office.
“This is an outrageous breach of security and privacy, even from an Administration that has shown little regard for either over the last eight years," Bill Burton, an Obama spokesman, said in a statement. "Our government’s duty is to protect the private information of the American people, not use it for political purposes. This is a serious matter that merits a complete investigation, and we demand to know who looked at Senator Obama’s passport file, for what purpose, and why it took so long for them to reveal this security breach."
Obtaining this information marks an invasion of the Privacy Act. But that's the least of the questions this episode raises.
Who were these "contract" workers?
Why would contract workers have access to confidential personal files that would contain Social Security nos., birth dates and the like?
Why would the State Department not go public with this information after the first occurrence?
And, of paramount importance, was Obama's file disseminated?
(JENNIFER SKALKA)
Posted at 09:02 PM
Comments
Notice how FOX is keeping this in the news for McCain and Karl Rove. And how ABC is doing it for the Clintons. Most Americans do not see this as a team effort by both the Clinton and McCain camps. This is why the break in into Obama’s files went down.
I think Karl Rove, McCain and the Clintons are working together on Obama. They want to get rid of him they know he does not play by there rules. They know Obama is a threat to the way Washington has been doing business for the last 50 years. Obama gets more and more death threats every day from what I hear. They will continue you to attack him not directly but by others. This way The Clintons and McCain they can keep there hands clean. Sean Hannity of Fox wants to destroy Obama he is doing the bidding for Karl Rove. FOX will report as much negative stuff on Obama as they can. They want Hillary to win they are going to try and kill Obama's chances. FOX will continue to run this story though for as long as they can.
They know he has a good shot of wining in November, this tag team arrangement will be exposed to the public real soon. McCain has the biggest problem it is the economy and Iraq. If anything, and I mean anything goes wrong with either one of these issues McCain is done.
Obama scares them they know he has the people with him and he is threat to the current establishment. When things come out about Obama watch the coordination of attacks with Fox and ABC. ABC is mostly on the web page those guys at ABC news are doing bidding for Hillary. Just watch them they spin it so that Obama looks very bad and Hillary looks better. They are the old guard they do not want Obama in the White House. They have some ties with the Clintons
Mase | 03.20.08 11:35 PM
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What would have been the penalty if those who opened the passport file were government employees instead of a contractor's employees? If the contractor fired the individuals involved, was it in effect just a wrist slap? I would like to know who these individuals are and whether or not they are already working for someone else. For those backed directly or indirectly by big money, getting fired is nothing.
Paul Warrick | 03.21.08 09:07 AM
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What's in a passport file, just a copy of your passport and a list of countries you've visited? What kind of dirt could someone even find in there?
Alex | 03.21.08 10:11 AM
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Obama lived overseas, so his passport file would have all his records from when he was abroad. (actually, everyone's file has this stuff, but his is huge). Where he went to school, family members abroad, acquaintances, etc.
Also, personal information of interest to ID thieves (not that I think anyone is interested in stealing Barack Obama's identity). SSN, etc is also included.
Its a pretty important file, one you certainly don't want people snooping around in, even if it was just "imprudent curiosity"
kim | 03.21.08 11:27 AM
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While this is despicable, I think this is something that probably happens more than we ever hear about in all areas of government, from cops running plates on good looking gals to who knows what.Power corrupts at all levels and curiosity will always get the better of some people. These people will be made examples very soon. News just hitting: the head of that department was an ambassador during Clinton's administration. Most State Dept. employees are not political appointees and most are to the left of center. I do, however, think BHO is protesting a bit too loudly. I wonder if there's something in there he doesn't want anyone to see, (I don't think most people would care if their past travel itiniaries were released), or if he's just kicking up smoke to blow away the Wright matter?
flyover | 03.21.08 03:36 PM
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