tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10820485.post9076998529333866018..comments2023-11-03T09:36:22.100-04:00Comments on In From the Cold: Another Bad IdeaGeorge Smileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07049707648660651119noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10820485.post-14809840032677023992008-10-06T08:58:00.000-04:002008-10-06T08:58:00.000-04:00What I would like to know is who is the jackass th...What I would like to know is who is the jackass that approved obama's security clearance? Admitted drug use, association with known felons and terrorists, etc. Youkow, all the stuff that would prevent a normal person from receiving a clearance...owr084https://www.blogger.com/profile/01387774420107628389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10820485.post-24494961429495842412008-10-05T00:05:00.000-04:002008-10-05T00:05:00.000-04:00As others have pointed out, presidential candidate...As others have pointed out, presidential candidates are generally given briefings shortly after their nomination. It is often done so an incumbent doesn't appear to have an inside infromation advantage, though that doesn't apply here. <BR/><BR/>On the other hand Obama did blabber to the Dem caucus after his return from Israel about information he received from briefings from our diplomatic folks about the imminence of Israeli airstrikes against Iran.<BR/><BR/>On a slightly different note, what was truly scary was when Rep. Alcee Hastings was in line to become Chair of the House Intelligence Committee. This would have given him access to sources and methods of the blackest of black projects. <BR/><BR/>Having been impeached by the House for accepting a bribe for a lenient sentence, it was hard to rationalize how he could even get a secret clearance. Perhaps that's the reason Speaker Pelosi backed down on his appointment. Somone in the administration may have told her he wouldn't be cleared.Corky Boydhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16363812378536729410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10820485.post-3500265587426375192008-10-04T09:34:00.000-04:002008-10-04T09:34:00.000-04:00Indeed this practice is not new, it's been going o...Indeed this practice is not new, it's been going on at least since 1976. I just read recently about Carter getting briefings during that campaign. As far as McCain and Obama getting access to classified information, unless they are on the committees that oversee the intelligence community and covert action, they do NOT get full access. Most of the highly sensitive material is reserved for select committees of both houses.Pooh Bearhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00975887283874824611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10820485.post-34544180782518333412008-10-03T16:13:00.000-04:002008-10-03T16:13:00.000-04:00New or not, still a bad idea. As sitting Senators...New or not, still a bad idea. As sitting Senators, Obama and McCain have access to classified information; as for the really sensitive stuff, the DNI (and others) can get them spun up after election day.<BR/><BR/>At one time, the practice may have been acceptable, from a security standpoint. But in today's hyper-partisan, politically-charged environment, it's just a matter of time before sensitive data gets "spun" for electoral advantage.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12712369389411084085noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10820485.post-3178306183594104782008-10-03T14:20:00.000-04:002008-10-03T14:20:00.000-04:00The practice of giving the presidential candidates...The practice of giving the presidential candidates access to the PDB is not new. I don't remember which president started it but you can hear about it August 1, 2008 "Spycast" Podcast. http://www.spymuseum.org/programs/spycast.phpJohnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08175436606440160664noreply@blogger.com