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Obama Advisor Is CEO Of Passport Breach Contractor

By Big Tent Democrat

Speaking for me only

I have BREAKING NEWS for Keith Olbermann and the Obama blogs:

The CEO of a company whose employee is accused of improperly looking at the passport files of presidential candidates is a consultant to the Barack Obama campaign, a source said Saturday. John O. Brennan, president and CEO of the Analysis Corp., advises the Illinois Democrat on foreign policy and intelligence issues, the source said.

Bwahahahahaha!! What will Punchline KO Olbermann say? What will Howard Fineman say? How about David Shuster? Oh nothing of course. You think Obama still wants a Congressional investigation? Oh by the way, has anyone asked Obama about this:

In a new interview with National Journal magazine, an intelligence adviser to Barack Obama's presidential campaign broke with his candidate’s position opposing retroactive legal protection for telecommunications companies being sued for cooperating with a dubious U.S. government domestic surveillance program.

"I do believe strongly that [telecoms] should be granted that immunity," former CIA official John Brennan told National Journal reporter Shane Harris in the interview. "They were told to [cooperate] by the appropriate authorities that were operating in a legal context."

Like a lot of Obama advisors and endorsers (see Jay Rockefeller and Jim Cooper for two especially egregious endorsers of Obama) - John O Brennan sounds like the type of person we really do not want back controlling the power levers of government.

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  • Display: Sort:
    Now (5.00 / 7) (#1)
    by Sunshine on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 10:34:45 AM EST
    The chickens have come home to roost!

    MSNBC Reporter: Obama Campaign Didn't Push (none / 0) (#108)
    by TalkRight on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 12:44:56 PM EST
    MSNBC Reporter: Obama Campaign Didn't Push Story That Hillary Was Behind Passport Files Breach

    Ok .. so they admit .. they on their own pushed that story.. they without hard facts suggested their viewers that it was possible that hillary clinton was behind the Obama passport stuff.. how obscene.

    Now that we know the CEO of the company behind that was an Obama adviser will the try to push the story that it is possible Obama was trying to change the storyline this weekend!!


    Parent

    BTW: FattyMelt (none / 0) (#114)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 12:56:03 PM EST
    Troll-rating people here because they disagree with you isn't allowed here.  

    Parent
    I hope the info about the CEO (5.00 / 3) (#2)
    by tek on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 10:38:47 AM EST
    will come out in the MSM and cable news.

    This story will come out (5.00 / 5) (#23)
    by litigatormom on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 10:54:56 AM EST
    when the press also gives adequate coverage to John McSame's inability to distinguish between Al Qaeda and domestic sectarian extremists. Not just once, but four times on the same trip.

    This morning, at the tail-end of Meet the Potatohead (I didn't see the first 40 minutes), one of Potatohead's guest pundits said that if Hillary or Obama had made the same gaffe, the press would have been all over it. But McSame, according to the pundit, had such a "reserve" of confidence in his "experience" in the press that the press would "cut him slack" on such gaffes.

    How surprised KO will be when everyone else in the MSM turns on Obama in the GE, returning to the arms of their first love, McSame, with his war hero cred and his press-friendly barbecues. Obama better start perfecting his own barbecue sauce right now.

    Parent

    Amazingly enough (5.00 / 3) (#3)
    by waldenpond on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 10:39:59 AM EST
    Obama supporters respond with... well, the owner of Stanley Inc (one of the other contractors) donated $1000 to the Clinton campaign. Ha!  Sorry, I couldn't help but laugh.  

    Brennan's position has been for immunity all along.  So has McCaskill, who is a possible AG for Obama.

    AG McCaskill???? (5.00 / 4) (#31)
    by ruffian on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 10:59:37 AM EST
    Just shoot me now.  Really, that would be just dreadful.

    Parent
    the entire story (5.00 / 7) (#4)
    by white n az on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 10:40:52 AM EST
    was ginned up to deflect attention from Jeremiah Wright and the pitifully stupid 'typical white woman' remark just 2 days later.

    Move the controversy...distract...

    KO will obviously ignore this aspect because it doesn't fit with his narrative. No surprise there I suppose.

    That is ridiculous (5.00 / 6) (#12)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 10:48:20 AM EST
    The story was not ginned up for any reason at all. IT is just incompetence and stupidity.

    John O Brennnan has NO IDEA what his company does for the State Dep't I imagine.

    But a so called NEWS NETWORK reported and speculated on who was behind this, openly drawing suspicion on the Clinton Campaign.

    If they apply the same lack of standards to this part of the story - then Keith Olbermann needs to make this the lead story of his broadcast on Monday. He will not.

    He is a dishonest Obama hack - and an incompetent Obama hack - nothing but an Obama Hannity.

    HE is a disgrace.

    Parent

    agree (5.00 / 4) (#26)
    by DandyTIger on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 10:57:17 AM EST
    on the KO assessment. He was always a bit of a hack, but it really became clear with the stuff he has been doing to a dem nominee who really has 95% in common with his fav. dem nominee. Stunningly self destructive of the OCamp. Sadly I don't think they get that either.

    Parent
    Must have (5.00 / 1) (#80)
    by arty on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 11:40:15 AM EST
     
     something to do with the surname starting with O

    Parent
    This (none / 0) (#155)
    by sas on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 04:55:12 PM EST
    is for KO...

    Bwahahaha

    Parent

    BTD, it pains me to agree with you (5.00 / 9) (#36)
    by litigatormom on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 11:02:50 AM EST
    on this one.  I used to respect KO for his willingness to openly criticize Bush when so many others in the MSM would not.  Even as he became more self-important, I continued to enjoy listening to his bombast because his critiques of the administration, while increasing verbose and bombastic, were still dead-on.

    Now? Almost his entire broadcast is devoted to praise of Obama at the expense of Clinton. You hardly hear a word about Bush or Cheney or the Iraq War or FISA anymore. It's all Obama all the time.

    And it's not just Olbermann. Noron O'Donnell, MSNBC's daytime political hack, was visibly disappointed with the revelation that Clinton and McCain had also been victimized, but continued to hint that Clinton was somehow responsible for conduct within George Bush's State Department.

    Utterly irresponsible, the kind of c**p you'd expect to see on Faux News.

    Parent

    He is not a credible new source (5.00 / 9) (#52)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 11:15:51 AM EST
    IT is basically Daily Kos TV.

    Parent
    Yes, that's what it's become (5.00 / 1) (#158)
    by litigatormom on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 07:28:42 PM EST
    He's posted a couple of diaries there and he's gotten thousands of comments and recs for each one. He's playing to that crowd now.

    Parent
    you misunderstood me (5.00 / 4) (#53)
    by white n az on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 11:15:51 AM EST
    I meant that the passport/intrusion story was a minor story that Obama's campaign ginned up to deflect.

    The story of Brennan and his company being one of the contractors involved is curious and amusing but not necessarily an important one...and clearly convenient for KO to overlook.

    As for your assessment of KO...it has been said that if you throw mud, you end up getting dirty and he has that Pig Pen look to him.

    In the end though, I solved my KO problem...MSNBC is channel non gratta now.

    Parent

    Ok (5.00 / 1) (#54)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 11:16:26 AM EST
    Up on TPM (5.00 / 4) (#93)
    by hellskitchen on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 12:10:35 PM EST
    Time's Swampland is one of the better MSM blogs out there. So what to make of this post on the Obama passport issue. The CEO of one of the companies with the contract to oversee the passport files is an Obama foreign policy advisor, John O. Brennan. The employee of the company is the one who snooped Obama's file and McCain's. Ergo, Brennan is doing dirty tricks work against McCain. Will Obama have to fire him?

    They're outraged, I tell you! Following the slam against Clinton/Stanley, they can't believe that anyone would accuse the Obama group.

    Parent

    white in az (none / 0) (#146)
    by cal1942 on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 02:53:13 PM EST
    is right when he says that Olbermann won't change his narrative on whatever for any reason.

    After the press sets a storyline no change is tolerated.

    Currently I don't believe that there was any deliberate timing to this story, but I do believe that the Obama campaign took maximum advantage when they asked for a Congressional investigation.

    Parent

    I'm beginning to think that (5.00 / 9) (#5)
    by Joan in VA on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 10:40:55 AM EST
    Obama, while not a Manchurian candidate, is maybe a Trojan horse. I feel like if he becomes prez, all these tiny repubs are
    gonna pour out of his head. Sure it's just me, though.

    Brilliant!!! (5.00 / 2) (#17)
    by Stellaaa on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 10:50:14 AM EST
    Wooden Rabbit '08 (5.00 / 4) (#25)
    by Nasarius on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 10:57:08 AM EST
    Or if we built this large wooden badger...

    Parent
    That sounds very attractive (5.00 / 4) (#48)
    by badger on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 11:13:55 AM EST
    Ha! (5.00 / 2) (#61)
    by tree on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 11:22:51 AM EST
    One of my favorite scenes from Monty Python and the the Holy Grail

    Parent
    More than Republicans (5.00 / 6) (#27)
    by ruffian on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 10:57:25 AM EST
    Anyone can ride inside the horse. Republicans, Democrats who want to back a winner regardless of ideology, whites seeking redemption, blacks seeking a place in the power structure, young people who want someone who speaks their language. Everyone thinks they see what they want inside.  We'll see what tumbles out when he is elected.  I predict chaos.

    Parent
    Nano (5.00 / 4) (#29)
    by Stellaaa on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 10:59:08 AM EST
    creative class bots.  

    Parent
    I forgot to add (5.00 / 5) (#38)
    by ruffian on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 11:04:21 AM EST
    ex-presidential candidates seeking relevance.

    Parent
    And maybe "chicks"... (5.00 / 2) (#97)
    by Maria Garcia on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 12:12:16 PM EST
    ...oh god I can't believe I said that, but it was the first thing that popped into my head, what with the beard and all.

    Parent
    Actually (5.00 / 4) (#147)
    by cal1942 on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 03:14:18 PM EST
    it's not just you Joan in VA.  It's me too.

    First there is his crack free market, free trade, Social Security privatizing economics team.

    The rest of his staff is loaded with DLC types.

    Then consider his wish to vote yes to confirm Roberts.

    He's running as a "uniter" who'll compromise with Republicans.

    If he is nominated and wins will anybody bet me that he'll retain at least 25% of current Republican appointees in various federal agencies?

    Can you imagine what an Obama White House staff would contain.

    He says he'll retain Blackwater.  Hillary said Blackwater and their like are out.

    He approves of charter schools and said he would consider school vouchers.

    It goes on and on.

    He may not be a Trojan Horse in the sense of being a deliberate plant but he is a man without conviction and I think he really does believe in compromise with Republicans.

    Bad break for the country and for the Democratic party.

    Imagine if Al Smith had won the Democratic nomination in 1932 instead of Franklin Roosevelt. Run that one around in your head for awhile.
     

    Parent

    You beat Hannity to this BTD (5.00 / 2) (#6)
    by riddlerandy on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 10:41:11 AM EST
    Those Obama folks are really tricky, I realize now

    I know Wright and Rezko were somehow involved also

    You know what? (5.00 / 6) (#9)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 10:44:41 AM EST
    Your insult is funny as hell as Keith Olbermann and NBC, who I am laughing  at here, but who you no doubt loved when he was doing his Sean Hannity imitation on HILLARY CLINTON on THIS STORY.

    There is nothing more detestable in my mind than the blind cultlike stupidity that I get from SOME Obama supporters who can not even see the irony of this.

    I think this story is meaningless. I am doing a  John Aravosis imitation.

    Parent

    I dont watch MSNBC (5.00 / 1) (#19)
    by riddlerandy on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 10:53:55 AM EST
    I am one of those ridiculous types who only gets local channels on my television, at least until next year.  Doesn't sound like I am missing much.  

    And I apologize for my transgression.  

    For what it is worth, I would be very happy to vote for Hillary in the General, having voted for Edwards in the CA primary (darned absentee balloting).

    I would really love to see a poll here about how many Hillary/Obama supporters would vote for the other candidate if he/she is the nominee.

    Parent

    Apology not accepted (5.00 / 2) (#35)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 11:02:40 AM EST
    You decided to compare me to Sean Hannity even when my post made express reference to Keith Olbermann and NBC and their coverage of this story.

    I am not in a forgiving mood. Maybe tomorrow I'll forgive you.

    Parent

    What better day to forgive than Easter? (1.00 / 0) (#41)
    by riddlerandy on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 11:06:57 AM EST
    Anyway, I will ban myself for the rest of the day while I go for a bike ride.

    I would still like to see the poll about what supporters plan to do in November.

    Parent

    I was messing with you (5.00 / 1) (#49)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 11:14:42 AM EST
    But you should go on a bike ride instead of being shut in.

    You folks need a snark meter.

    Parent

    Digital or analog? (1.00 / 0) (#55)
    by Stellaaa on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 11:16:27 AM EST
    Yes, these blind bots are a laugh riot (5.00 / 1) (#89)
    by digdugboy on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 11:57:12 AM EST
    There seem to be just as many of them here, supporting Hillary. Or do you disagree?

    Parent
    At least some of us, (5.00 / 1) (#149)
    by cal1942 on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 03:31:59 PM EST
    myself included, were Edwrads supporters.

    I had no choice but to switch to Clinton as the least conservative of the two left standing.

    I don't believe there are any Clinton supporters here of the delusional variety.

    A significant distinction compared with many Obama supporters.  Just read some of the comments on KOS for an illustration.

    Better still read some of KOS' posts or for that matter note how little time it took for Josh Marshall to put on his tinfoil hat when the passport story broke.

    Parent

    prediction: won't hear about this (5.00 / 8) (#7)
    by DandyTIger on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 10:43:09 AM EST
    from the ObamaPress. Or if so, in a soft dismissive voice. How's that Kool-aid, need a refill.

    The only question is, will the Obama noise (clinton's are evil, step down, etc.) become so loud that it takes on it's own unstoppable momentum. That's the plan. Or will we actually be able to allow the voters to decide. Not the plan.

    For me, count the votes, let's see who really wins. End of story, unify, and move on. Otherwise, train wreck city. And yes, the story is already being developed that if Obama doesn't win in the GE it will be Hillary's fault. I can see Tweety crying over it now.

    I know. It's really mean when somebody beats (5.00 / 4) (#132)
    by derridog on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 01:34:39 PM EST
    you in an election or even stays in for a long time, when it must be obvious to them that,  if they dropped out, you would win.  What could Hillary be thinking?

    Come to think of it, maybe Obama can also start demanding that John McCain drop out now. Or he could start disqualifying McCain's ballot signatures, as he did against his opponents in his first race for office.  He doesn't like to actually have to run against people.  It's so gauche. He'd prefer it a lot if he could just run unopposed.  The rest of us just need to get on board with his thinking. Maybe his followers could educate us on that, since  those of us who are Hillary supporters aren't too bright - obviously.

    Parent

    "Brownie" Troop (5.00 / 6) (#8)
    by Athena on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 10:44:35 AM EST
    Obama's campaign has had more "heckuva job, Brownie" moments than George Bush.  

    I think KO needed grief counseling when the passport story expanded to include Clinton and McCain.

    i missed Keith on Friday. (1.00 / 0) (#10)
    by Marco21 on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 10:47:28 AM EST
    Anyone catch Countdown? I am dying to know what, if anything, he said.

    Parent
    You read Daily Kos? (5.00 / 3) (#13)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 10:49:09 AM EST
    HE ran the Front PAge of Daily Kos.

    Parent
    This is what happens when issues are ignored (5.00 / 5) (#11)
    by leonid on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 10:48:04 AM EST
    Obama has steered discussion away from issues and into hope and change and meaningless values because, when it comes right down to it, Obama doesn't agree with most Democrats on the issues. His position on Iraq gives power to mercenary organizations. He has advisors that support the American government spying on its own people.

    Maybe he just doesn't really understand the issues. Maybe he's being intentionally deceptive. Either way, as we get closer to nomination and election Democrats are going to become more and more disenchanted with him.

    I can't wait until he's been President for two years. It will be entertaining watching his supporters spin every new un-Democratic action coming from his administration, as they desperately cling to the hope that he's really a Democrat deep down in there somewhere.

    I couldn't find this story at... (5.00 / 4) (#14)
    by Marco21 on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 10:49:40 AM EST
    Huffington Post. Anyone see it there? How bout Kos? Americablog?

    Heh (5.00 / 2) (#32)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 11:00:07 AM EST
    The story was front page at CNN (5.00 / 4) (#37)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 11:04:09 AM EST
    for a good share of time yesterday, along with breaking news and red alert headings, but for the life of me, I couldn't find it anywhere on MSNBC.

    MSNBC=DailyKOS

    CNN, for as shallow and awful as they can be, are the (relatively-speaking) most trusted name in pseudo-news.  That's for sure.

    Parent

    And this man (5.00 / 2) (#15)
    by arty on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 10:49:53 AM EST
     will be picking people to represent us around the world? YIKES!!!!

    And (5.00 / 1) (#16)
    by Claw on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 10:49:54 AM EST
    The CEO of the other company (Stanley, Inc.) that breached files is a Clinton donor.  I'm assuming you just missed this fact.  If not, this is a pretty misleading post.

    Hmmm (5.00 / 6) (#21)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 10:54:15 AM EST
    $1000 Clinton donor versus Obama CONSULTANT.

    I see how they're equal <wink>

    Parent

    Yeah me too, lol. (5.00 / 3) (#104)
    by Maria Garcia on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 12:25:22 PM EST
    I may be slow, but I'm starting to get the hang of this new math.

    Parent
    See comment #3 above (5.00 / 1) (#22)
    by waldenpond on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 10:54:55 AM EST
    LMAO (5.00 / 5) (#24)
    by americanincanada on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 10:55:45 AM EST
    A clinton donor who only gave $1000, same as my dad I might add, is a far cry from an official campaign advisor on intelligence matters for god's sake!!

    Parent
    Woman's photo (5.00 / 3) (#28)
    by Stellaaa on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 10:58:27 AM EST
    They all had that woman's photo splattered all over the place as if she was some kind of criminal.  Disgusting.  

    Parent
    Are you nuts? (5.00 / 3) (#30)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 10:59:35 AM EST
    I am laughing at people who think this is a serious story!

    Are you writing to Keith Olbermann about this?

    Are you tsking tsking the Obama blogs?

    Parent

    Apparently you missed the frenzy (5.00 / 2) (#34)
    by tree on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 11:00:21 AM EST
    around the Stanley connection that Olbermann and Kos were insinuating implicated the Clinton campaign in the passport breach. BTD is pointing out the irony and the hypocrisy of the whole thing.

     Frankly, I think its an incredible leap, upon a stretch upon a gaping assumption to think that just because the CEO of a company either donated to, or advised a campaign, that proves that either campaign is behind the actions of an individual employee of said company. Its a non-story. Too bad all the usual suspects already stepped in the goo.

    I am concerned, though, that an advisor to Obama is supportive of giving immunity to telecoms. One of my major beefs with Obama, other than his lack of experience, is his advisors, especially his economic ones. Brennan, his intelligence advisor, also gives me pause.

    Parent

    judgement (5.00 / 4) (#40)
    by DandyTIger on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 11:06:41 AM EST
    are you implying that Obama may not have good judgement. Say it ain't so.

    Parent
    You nailed it (5.00 / 0) (#42)
    by ruffian on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 11:07:22 AM EST
    Until  someone proves that the employees who looked at the files were engaged in anything more sinister than "imprudent curiosity", this is a non-story.

    Parent
    The story (5.00 / 4) (#47)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 11:13:34 AM EST
    is how far a news network will go to destroy a political candidate.

    That is the story...and it's a SERIOUS story.

    Parent

    Agree Teresa that is the main story (5.00 / 4) (#56)
    by athyrio on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 11:16:45 AM EST
    and some day it would be nice if we could have a channel that is totally for the people without an agenda of any kind...I know, I also believe in Santa Claus...By the way, Happy Easter to everyone....

    Parent
    Demographic (5.00 / 4) (#60)
    by Stellaaa on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 11:21:12 AM EST
    MSNBC is targeting a demographic.  Rah...rah...boom crowd.  They don't care about analysis, or questions.  It's about the horse race.  KO was from the sports world.  It resonates.  They cannot steal the Fox old codger demographic, so they are in a niche.  

    After Iowa, Tweaty was gleeful about how the advertising and ratings will go up with this race.  

    Parent

    It is a serious story (5.00 / 2) (#58)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 11:18:56 AM EST
    We cover that story at this blog.

    Parent
    please do (5.00 / 2) (#63)
    by white n az on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 11:23:28 AM EST
    but in reality...I already voted...MSNBC no longer counts me as a viewer and their shows are no longer programmed on my DVR either.

    At least there's little pretense that they are objective reporters.

    Parent

    No, the serious story (5.00 / 2) (#98)
    by Ben Masel on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 12:12:49 PM EST
    is not how this spins for the campaigns, but rather the Database State. It's inevitable that massive databases will leak, there's just too many corruptible individuals involved in maintaining them, and any access controls can be circumvented by those with high level access passwords.

    Parent
    I also think the story is how quickly (5.00 / 4) (#105)
    by Maria Garcia on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 12:27:21 PM EST
    ...the Obama campaign and its media enablers tried to hang it on Clinton. And then, in the next breath, claim that all the negativity comes from the Clinton campaign.

    Parent
    ruffian is (none / 0) (#150)
    by cal1942 on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 03:41:38 PM EST
    closer to the truth than the Obama supporters and the media.

    This is a non-story.

    Parent

    On telecom immunity (5.00 / 3) (#43)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 11:07:26 AM EST
    I agree that Brennan and Obama need to explain themselves on telco immunity.

    Parent
    Some learning (5.00 / 3) (#59)
    by waldenpond on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 11:19:22 AM EST
    Apparently Brennan's explanation is that Obama needs to get some learnin' on the issue.  He needs to know what is out 'there' and not make a 'knee jerk' response.  

    Parent
    Yep (5.00 / 3) (#69)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 11:28:34 AM EST
    That is why Obama needs to explain himself.

    He has Rockefeller and Cooper and bunch of others who are for illegal spying on Americans. He needs to explain himself.

    Parent

    Has anyone made a list? (5.00 / 1) (#140)
    by echinopsia on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 02:22:01 PM EST
    of all the myriad ways in which Obama's advisers and consultants and aides (ohmy!) and associates and contributors have messed up in the past, say, 12 months?

    Partial topof my head (because I haven't been keeping track):\

    Rice
    Goolsbee
    Powers
    McPeak
    Brennan
    Wright
    Rezko


    Parent

    your forget the aide in chief. (none / 0) (#145)
    by TalkRight on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 02:51:53 PM EST
    Michael Obama..

    Parent
    Claw, (5.00 / 1) (#130)
    by ding7777 on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 01:28:47 PM EST
    Accordding to Open secrets

    BRENNAN, JOHN, THE ANALYSIS CORPORATION/PRESIDENT
    on 1/28/2008 gave  $2,300 to  Obama, Barack

    in addition to being a consultant, Brennan gave money to Obama -  2.3 times as much money that Hillary's donor gave.

    Why did you not mention that?

    Parent

    The point of the post (none / 0) (#148)
    by Claw on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 03:26:30 PM EST
    Was clearly that (Bwahahaahaha) the CEO of one of the firms involved in the snooping was involved with Obama...thus discrediting any idea that the breaches could have been politically motivated.  For the record, I think it is a case of people wanting to look at famous people's personal information.  To simply post the Obama connection without even mentioning the HRC connection was, at best, sloppy.  At worst, dishonest.

    Parent
    MSM (5.00 / 5) (#18)
    by Stellaaa on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 10:52:39 AM EST
    Look, this is the way it works.  Look at McCain, talks against torture votes for it.  What stays in people's minds: McCain is against torture.  This is what will happen here, Hillary broke into Obama's passport will stick.  We have no journalism left.  We have done what Mao and Stalin could never do, we have perfected the propaganda machine.  

    I think the whole thing (5.00 / 5) (#39)
    by andgarden on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 11:05:32 AM EST
    is a non-story. I can easily imagine a bunch of lower-level employees wasting a Friday afternoon gawking at Hillary and/or Obama's passport file.

    But I take your point: Countdown is unwatchable and dkos unreadable.

    Countdown is unwatchable (5.00 / 3) (#45)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 11:11:19 AM EST
    Some daily kos FPers are unreadable. Some are quite good, especially Meteor Blades, Kagro, David NYC (excellent on Wasserman Schultz), Kos (when he is not in crazy mode) - they have been really good. Trapper John does not write much, Hunter never writes - mcjoan is all FISA all the time so she does not write campaign stuff.

    Parent
    I agree (5.00 / 1) (#81)
    by andgarden on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 11:42:40 AM EST
    When I speak of dkos, I tend to mean the right side, where it has become fashionable to applaud term limits.

    Parent
    mcjoan must be a Hillary supporter (1.00 / 0) (#91)
    by digdugboy on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 12:03:35 PM EST
    and it's lonely for her over there :)

    Parent
    Correct me if I'm wrong (5.00 / 1) (#94)
    by waldenpond on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 12:10:43 PM EST
    but didn't Jeralyn tell you to remove your tag?

    Parent
    yep (5.00 / 1) (#99)
    by white n az on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 12:15:41 PM EST
    If she did, I haven't seen it. (1.00 / 0) (#95)
    by digdugboy on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 12:11:25 PM EST
    Do you have a link?

    Parent
    She did and I also requested it, (5.00 / 1) (#101)
    by tree on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 12:20:06 PM EST
    see comment #100 below. Thanks.

    Parent
    Who rated me a 1 (none / 0) (#122)
    by waldenpond on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 01:04:35 PM EST
    for pointing out that Jeralyn told digdugboy he would be banned if he didn't remove his tag line?

    Parent
    If you click on the (5.00 / 1) (#124)
    by tree on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 01:08:04 PM EST
    rating number it will lead you to the post, with the ratings by user name underneath it. "Fattymelt" is gaming the system by rating all other comments than his preferred, as ones, so as to slip his preferred comments to the top of the list.

    Parent
    I e-mailed (5.00 / 1) (#127)
    by waldenpond on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 01:19:31 PM EST
    that this was happening. It is kind of annoying to have to go back and tuck in a bunch of 5s.

    Parent
    Thanks (5.00 / 2) (#129)
    by tree on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 01:27:24 PM EST
    I selective downrated the very few that they rated at 5, just to mess a bit with their messing and to see if they continued to downrate so openly. Normally I don't rate anybody a 1, and only use 5's to show agreement with a point, or to applaud its logic and coherence. I think that's the standard use of ratings here.

    Parent
    TL Rules (5.00 / 1) (#62)
    by Edgar08 on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 11:23:01 AM EST
    Pre-empt a frank discussion of Kos.


    Parent
    We are not here to discuss (5.00 / 2) (#66)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 11:27:21 AM EST
    Daily Kos.

    Parent
    That's probably not the mission statement (5.00 / 1) (#79)
    by Edgar08 on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 11:40:06 AM EST
    But I wasn't the one who actually brought it up.

    Parent
    And I am shutting it down (5.00 / 1) (#85)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 11:44:33 AM EST
    Thanks (5.00 / 3) (#88)
    by Edgar08 on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 11:54:15 AM EST
    For pulling me back from the edge.


    Parent
    at some point it should be addressed (5.00 / 3) (#96)
    by jes on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 12:11:48 PM EST
    as you noted in another comment things can go from the GOS right to the top of the hour on KO. I think I can predict what KO will cover on Monday from recent posts - a turk posts positing an innocent question (is H trying to ruin O's chances so she can run for 2012?), the call is taken up by a post on DK from the frog pond, more and more chatter... SomeoneINSomeplace will post on the FP on Monday --> innuendo on KO on Monday.

    Parent
    thanks fattymelt (5.00 / 1) (#115)
    by jes on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 12:56:07 PM EST
    I see you are on a TR rampage here today.

    Parent
    Anyone hear Randi Rhodes on this topic Friday? (5.00 / 2) (#44)
    by ruffian on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 11:10:50 AM EST
    I didn't see Olbermann, but he could not have been sillier than she was.  She's got Hillary with a whole plumbers operation.  I don't know the slander laws that well, but she came pretty close to the line in my view.

    Discredited (5.00 / 3) (#50)
    by Stellaaa on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 11:15:43 AM EST
    She has lost it.  Air America has proven that they are fringe radio, which is great, I don't have to listen to commercial radio anymore.  

    Parent
    Napolitano (5.00 / 1) (#64)
    by Stellaaa on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 11:25:55 AM EST
    Watching her on CNN, seriously, are people talking her up for VP?  What a %&#*&%)#

    Liberals talking her up (5.00 / 1) (#65)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 11:26:46 AM EST
    Self coopted.

    Parent
    Warner/Napolitano 2012, the net dream (5.00 / 2) (#74)
    by tigercourse on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 11:33:43 AM EST
    ticket for some inexplicable reason.

    Parent
    If Obama runs with a woman (5.00 / 2) (#106)
    by ChrisO on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 12:30:22 PM EST
    othe than Hillary, her supporters will see it as a major slap in the face. He needs to run with a white (yeah, I said it) big state governor, preferably someone like Strickland who was a Hillary supporter.

    Parent
    Over the top... (5.00 / 5) (#67)
    by TalkRight on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 11:28:13 AM EST
    Blames Clinton for negative turn of race, but apparently missed his own campaign manager talking about Clinton on Friday conference call, where David Plouffe said there's a "real character gap" and she has a "history of misleading voters."

    Plouffe also said about her: "The American people simply are not going elect someone that they believe is not being honest and trustworthy."

    This is off topic (5.00 / 2) (#72)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 11:31:26 AM EST
    even if true. Stick to the topic of the post.

    Parent
    Obviously (5.00 / 2) (#68)
    by Edgar08 on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 11:28:20 AM EST
    When you've furrowed your brow, looked down your nose, and worked everyone up into a lathered fit of outrage over nothing, there is a certain amount of visceral sweetness that comes with your own advisor being the guy that hired the culprits in question.

    No.   This will be lost on the oonverted.

    The story will dissappear now.


    That is my expectation (5.00 / 3) (#71)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 11:30:48 AM EST
    and it will expose how fraudulent a "news" organization NBC is.

    Parent
    conspiracy theory too!! (2.33 / 3) (#76)
    by 1jane on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 11:35:33 AM EST
    open thread please??? (5.00 / 1) (#77)
    by TalkRight on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 11:36:30 AM EST


    LOL.. (5.00 / 2) (#78)
    by Stellaaa on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 11:38:29 AM EST
    Feeling pent up?

    Parent
    Not yet (5.00 / 1) (#86)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 11:45:55 AM EST
    Wow, I see you got downrated by fattymelt (5.00 / 1) (#117)
    by Maria Garcia on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 12:58:55 PM EST
    ..for this innocuous post!!! At least he/she is giving me 1s for more substantive posts. I feel honored. LOL.

    Parent
    fatty melt is gaming the system (5.00 / 1) (#120)
    by tree on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 01:03:37 PM EST
    along with killjoy. He's downrating innocuous posts as well as substantial ones so as to have only ones he wants end up at the top of the comment list.

    Parent
    he's gone (5.00 / 1) (#139)
    by Jeralyn on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 02:08:28 PM EST
    they are the same person. You need to let me know by email when this happens so the ratings can be reversed quickly.

    Parent
    I suspected they were the same (none / 0) (#154)
    by tree on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 04:40:09 PM EST
    Thanks. I'll do that if it even comes up again. This is the first time I noticed that.

    Parent
    How cute. (none / 0) (#121)
    by Maria Garcia on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 01:04:28 PM EST
    If this was done under Obama's direction (5.00 / 1) (#87)
    by digdugboy on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 11:51:50 AM EST
    he should drop out of the race. If it was done with the knowledge of the CEO, the CEO should be dropped from the campaign and prosecuted. If this was done because of some rogue elements in the company, I don't see why it should somehow reflect upon Obama. It defies all conventional notions of respondeat superior and agency.

    I agree with you on this (5.00 / 4) (#100)
    by tree on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 12:16:51 PM EST
    but find it totally appalling that the same kind of guilt by six degrees of separation argument was used against Clinton when it was mentioned that the Stanley company CEO gave $1000 to the Clinton campaign. I hope you felt the same way about that.

    And OT, could you, in the interest of unity, or courtesy, drop your tag, "Its over. Concede." Personally, it brings back bad memories of 2000 and the Republican taunt, "Get over it." Believe me, nothing was less likely to make me get over it than hearing some idiot order me to do so. If you are interested in making your points so as to persuade, the tag tends to negate. Of course, if you are just using like a sports slogan, taunting your opponents, then don't expect anyone to listen to you seriously.

    Parent

    Yes, I did (5.00 / 1) (#102)
    by digdugboy on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 12:20:32 PM EST
    If Olbermann doesn't apologize for pointing the finger at Clinton, shame on him.

    Parent
    Why the tagline censored (5.00 / 1) (#103)
    by tree on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 12:25:09 PM EST
    now? Did you voluntarily drop it or is someone else deleting it?

    Parent
    I changed it (5.00 / 2) (#113)
    by digdugboy on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 12:54:49 PM EST
    because Jeralyn told me to drop the other one.

    Parent
    so you don't personally (5.00 / 1) (#123)
    by tree on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 01:05:01 PM EST
    find your old tagline offensive? Or this new one offensive to Jeralyn?

    Parent
    No, I didn't find the old one (none / 0) (#126)
    by digdugboy on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 01:13:10 PM EST
    offensive. Others obviously did. It expressed my honest conclusion about the state of the primary and what is best for the democratic party going forward.

    Jeralyn told me to drop it or I'd be banned from posting. How is that not censorship?

    Parent

    OK (5.00 / 2) (#131)
    by tree on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 01:32:44 PM EST
    I wanted to know whether to take your comments here seriously or not. Your tagline wasn't just a comment  on your conclusion, it was a command. You don't use the imperative to state a conclusion. Sounds like a sports mentality to me. I don't take people with a sports mentality seriously when they talk about politics. YMMV. So it goes. Thanks for answering my question.

    Parent
    it was obnoxious (5.00 / 1) (#135)
    by Jeralyn on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 01:58:19 PM EST
    and repetitive and offensive. I'm glad you dropped it. I find the censored tagline okay.

    Parent
    Well, it's her blog, so she can (none / 0) (#133)
    by derridog on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 01:43:49 PM EST
    censor whatever she wants.  

    Parent
    I don't think there (none / 0) (#119)
    by standingup on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 01:02:00 PM EST
    is any reason to even consider that Obama was behind anything of this.  

    There is one part of this story that should concern us all, the failure of a system within the State Department.  The information contained in these files is more personal than anything else and anyone with a passport application should want that information protected.  There was some failure in the State Department system that is supposed to alert the appropriate people to breaches of this nature.  I would like for that to be investigated and resolved.  

    Parent

    Can't Wait for the Tap Dance on this One! (5.00 / 2) (#90)
    by Doc Rock on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 12:02:48 PM EST


    Olbermann (5.00 / 1) (#92)
    by kenoshaMarge on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 12:04:17 PM EST
    and his Merrie Band of Hillary Haters are a prime example of our media today. I used to feel sorry for Olbermann when they paired him with Tweety for campaign coverage. Then I realized that they belonged together like Laurel and Hardy. Kinda look like them too if Tweety would grow a moustache.

    I seldom used to watch CNN because I thought they were All/Bush/Enablers/All/The/Time. Olbermann was a breath of fresh air. Evidently all that oxygen went right to his head.

    He lost me long before he decided to become Obama's on-air Campaign Manager. Some find a moment in history and rise to greatness. Olbermann found a moment in history and became a hot air balloon. Kinda sad really.

     

    Yes, except Tweety is smarter. (none / 0) (#109)
    by MarkL on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 12:45:12 PM EST
    KO is quite dim.

    Parent
    Ah, sweet irony. . This is fun. (5.00 / 1) (#125)
    by oculus on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 01:09:21 PM EST


    Now wait a minute. I don't agree with ijane, but (5.00 / 1) (#128)
    by derridog on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 01:20:40 PM EST
    you would delete your comment, if someone else said it.  I thought we weren't supposed to call people names.

    Calling someone's remarks stupidity (none / 0) (#142)
    by echinopsia on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 02:32:22 PM EST
    Is not calling someone stupid.

    Check the definition of ad hominem.

    Parent

    You are correct (none / 0) (#144)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 02:41:11 PM EST
    But ijane's comments are offensive to me.

    I am trying to see if she gets it.

    If she can correct course, I will delete my comments.

    Parent

    we're not and that reply to her comment (none / 0) (#153)
    by Jeralyn on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 04:02:42 PM EST
    is inappropriate.

    Parent
    And there I was hoping (5.00 / 2) (#151)
    by Alien Abductee on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 03:49:29 PM EST
    this passport story would send state surveillance and datamining as issues into the top of public perception (and outrage) by personalizing it, tying it to three high-profile figures who lots of people identify with, across the political spectrum. Congressional hearings, headlines about the use of private info for partisan political purposes as the evidence comes out, all leading to a crackdown on the gov't's illegal delving into our info and an end to the consolidation of our disparate info into searchable interconnected databases for the use of the total surveillance state...

    Instead it devolves into the most inane partisan candidate bashing, obscuring the real issues. Anyone who's participating in that idiocy is on my bad list. Bah!

    I don't think there is anything (4.75 / 4) (#20)
    by americanincanada on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 10:54:10 AM EST
    to the passport story. But if Obama supporters and the campaign itself can somehow manage to say that Clinton did this and twist themselves into a pretzel to explain how...

    Then I can say, without much twisting I might add, that Obama advisor Brennen opened Obama's file to throw focus off of the Wright stuff and then when it came out that possibly Clinton's had been accessed too (as well as people thinking we were crazy intimating Clinton did it) had McCain's breached as well.

    it is silly from both sides but Obama should not be allowed to get away with their crazy, paraniod, whining rantings. He is playing the victim card with regularity now and I hate it.

    As Dick Cheney would say, "So!" (3.00 / 2) (#51)
    by 1jane on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 11:15:49 AM EST
    How often are consultants consulted? This little story will spiral into nowhere. Democrats beating each other to oblivian is the big story.

    Indeed (5.00 / 9) (#57)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 11:18:21 AM EST
    Did you think it a little story when Obama was calling for a Congressional investigation and Keith Olbermann was accusing Hillary Clinton of being behind it?

    You are that stripe of Obama supporters that is an embarrassment to other Obama supporters.

    Parent

    Come on.... (5.00 / 1) (#70)
    by 1jane on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 11:29:30 AM EST
    Yesterday, Politico wrote that Clinton advisors to her campaign admitted that Clinton has a 10% chance. The party-wrecker image isn't pretty and is gaining attention in MSM.

    Parent
    Nonsequitor (5.00 / 4) (#73)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 11:32:16 AM EST
    You are the worst species of Obama supporter.

    You do yourself and your candidate no good with your nonsensical comments.

    Parent

    Yes (5.00 / 5) (#83)
    by Edgar08 on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 11:43:02 AM EST
    The MSM does seem to embrace negative stories about Clinton.

    And yes.  Obama supporters think those stories are objective.


    Parent

    And the MSM will continue (5.00 / 1) (#112)
    by standingup on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 12:53:57 PM EST
    with the broken, divided party all the way to November.  This is something they have worked to create, not report.  

    If Obama is the nominee, we can almost be assured that he and his campaign will need to improve on their responses.  As someone noted on one of the shows on XM's POTUS channel yesterday, McCain has such high creds with the MSM that they will overlook almost anything for him.  McCain will be able to make huge gaffes and receive the coverage from the MSM that will help him to explain his gaffe with no follow up or hard questions.  McCain's campaign speeches will be the ones they begin broadcasting while Obama's will be covered in short clips.  

    Parent

    I Like Longshots!!!! (5.00 / 1) (#134)
    by Curtis93433 on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 01:54:54 PM EST
    10% is better than no chance at all and based on recent polling and the coming races her odds could increase a lot.

    Parent
    Politico is not a reliable source (none / 0) (#141)
    by echinopsia on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 02:30:40 PM EST
    They rely to much on unnamed single sources, are beloved of Drudge. Check MediaMatters and Wikipedia.

    So if Politico calls it a "senior Clinton campaign person," I'm calling it an Obama-supporting Clinton volunteer-for-a-day.

    I've got an unnamed source who told me so.

    Parent

    I've forgotten... (5.00 / 1) (#156)
    by alsace on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 05:00:19 PM EST
    Is Drudge a source for Politico, or is it the other way around?

    Parent
    Conversation, not broad swipes... (5.00 / 1) (#75)
    by 1jane on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 11:33:53 AM EST
    List all the ways I, a mere peon, a grain of sand on a big beach, am an embarressment to ALL Obama supporters.Get a grip.

    Parent
    Let me borrow some cynical thought here. (none / 0) (#111)
    by ghost2 on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 12:52:16 PM EST
    Since KO and others have accused Hillary of vilest motives, it could only be fair.

    What if the breach (by an employee of an Obama advisor) was intentional, as a way to make sure there was nothing embarassing in his passport files? Was anything deleted?

    Parent

    I don't see the problem... (1.00 / 1) (#33)
    by jtaylorr on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 11:00:12 AM EST
    Isn't the fact that Obama didn't hesitate in attacking a company owned by one of his advisers a good thing?

    Naw (5.00 / 2) (#46)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 11:12:20 AM EST
    He can run his own investigation from his campaign.

    I think he had no idea Brennan was involved. If he knew, then is a political idiot and we have a big problem.

    Parent

    Did you see Steve Soto's post? (5.00 / 1) (#110)
    by ghost2 on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 12:49:35 PM EST
    It was really sad.  I had so much respect for Steve. Passport File Contractor CEO Is A Hillary Donor

    Note the title of the post, the time of the update, and the convoluted nature of the second update.  

    Parent

    What the heck is "fatty melt" doing? (none / 0) (#116)
    by tree on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 12:57:20 PM EST
    Apparently he/she has rated EVERY COMMENT  in this thread as a "one", except for the post above. Gaming the system?

    Parent
    And "killjoy" is doing the same thing (none / 0) (#118)
    by tree on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 01:00:13 PM EST
    Too many personal insults (none / 0) (#136)
    by Jeralyn on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 01:58:53 PM EST
    in this thread. Please stop or comments will close.

    Oh, for shame, for shame. (none / 0) (#137)
    by tbetz on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 02:02:36 PM EST
    Ain't it awful that Barack Obama has the balls and the brains to have advisors who disagree with him about stuff!

    We've done so well with the current situation in the White House where honest disagreement is treated like treason.  And we'll do so well if the current bunch are replaced with more of the same.


    Heh (none / 0) (#143)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 02:39:18 PM EST
    Yes who cares what a candidates' advisors think?

    Too funny.

    Parent

    Diversity of opinion among advisers... (none / 0) (#152)
    by tbetz on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 03:52:15 PM EST
    ...  is the best inoculation against groupthink, and its many evil consequences.

    It is a sign of strength, not of weakness.

    Parent

    Fatty Melt aka Killjoy (none / 0) (#138)
    by Jeralyn on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 02:06:29 PM EST
    has had all ratings deleted for abusing the system. He also registered with the name of killjoy and rated his own comments a 5 and those he disagreed with a 1.

    Both Fatty Melt and Killjoy have had their accounts erased, are banned and may not return.

    Bad time for blindness (none / 0) (#157)
    by pluege on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 05:54:47 PM EST
    there are so many bad connections lurking around Obama, it should be with real foreboding that progressives look on at his success. Instead many of the standard bearers have drunk the Obama kool aid and are carrying water when they should be asking questions. Sad, really sad.