A word of caution

Posted: Friday, March 21, 2008 11:23 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: 2008, Obama

From NBC's Andrea Mitchell
In the story about passport breach, here's a word of caution before leaping to conclusions about the official in charge of management and consular affairs -- Maura Harty -- who had been appointed by Bill Clinton as ambassador to Paraguay.

Harty actually started out in the Reagan Administration and rose to become a special assistant to former Secretary of State George Shultz.

In addition, Undersecretary of State Patrick Kennedy started in 1973 during the Nixon Adminstration - when Henry Kissinger was Secretary of State.

They both rose through the ranks under both Republican and Democratic presidents.

I'd caution against assuming any particular connection to the Clintons unless we can establish that. They are not known to be particularly political. They will surely have to answer questions about management and competence, however.

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Comments

maybe they just wanted to see what race he had selected on his passport?
c'mon msnbc- this is part of the hillary kitchen sink-at all costs plan
which as nixon proved, can involve plumbers.
she kept the old fbi files for months gathering dirt in her first 'experience', why would now be different?
this has her tracks all over it
through surrogates of course.

teri, san luis obispo, ca (Sent Friday, March 21, 2008 11:33 AM)

Like the Obama camp releasing the piture of Bill and the Racist REV.They will try and pin this on Hilliary GO AHEAD OBAMMA is so over in the general election wait till youtube keeps showing the REV wright and more and more comes out that obama sat in the pews and listened which he claims to not have done LIAR LIAR PANTS on FIRE

kenn (Sent Friday, March 21, 2008 11:36 AM)

You know, I would not be surprised if this turns out to be linked to the Clintons (or the Clinton campaign because the Clintons will leave no finger prints).

On the other hand, I don't think there is anything you can learn from a passport file, is there ?

Frank, Missouri (Sent Friday, March 21, 2008 11:37 AM)

I really don't understand what the hopla is all about. It's not like no one else processing his passport application had seen those information. It's like filling out a driver's license.

If he's afraid of identity theft - geewiz - he is Barack Obama - why on earth would anyone steal his identity? It's a definite that one would get caught!

Unless he's hiding something, then that's a different case. So why again are we spending so much time on this? To difuse Wright's damaging effect?!!

Now MSNBC it is only fair for once that you folks post my comment.

Joyce, PA (Sent Friday, March 21, 2008 11:43 AM)

Bill Gurtz that broke th estory for Washington Post says about Obamas statement-This is so bad and etc.is just politics. Yes The above it all guy is just same old politics. Poeple are really seing it more and more . Guess thats why his numbers are plumeting.McCanes wins over Obama Hillary still ahead of McCane. ummmmmm we want who.???

Mox (Sent Friday, March 21, 2008 11:45 AM)

The breach should be investigated. It is unfair to blame the Clinton campaign for this. Obama is probably thinking that anything to get the spotlight off the Rev. Wright (who is more wrong that wright) is a good thing. I think all Americans want the truth and a rush to judgment is not a good thing.

wait and see in Tennessee (Sent Friday, March 21, 2008 11:46 AM)

Wgat a joke: Everything in the U.S. Govt is time sensitive. Why the long delay in reporting this violation? Someone was trying to cover up this breach of personal/private security. An independent investigation should be made by the GAO and DOS Management held accountable, including DOS Mgmt and the respective contract employees.

ben brown (Sent Friday, March 21, 2008 11:48 AM)

Look. We all want to know.. was Obama really born in Kenya and the family traveled to Hawaii to get his birth certificate...

Earl Lutz (Sent Friday, March 21, 2008 11:48 AM)

Andrea, you can't make yourself look more liberal than you already do. You're leftist tripe makes me gag. Happy Good Friday. Oh wait, I better not wish you well on such an extremist holiday. Keep up the pity party for your candidate, it shows how pathetic your party is.

Nun U. Rbusiness Anytown, USA (Sent Friday, March 21, 2008 11:48 AM)

I doubt the passport "breech" is political at all. I have worked as a contract programmer for many years. The temptation to look at the records of famous people, if one had access to do one's job, would be very strong. It was probably just idle curiousity.

Imagine what it might be like if we had a National Health Care Service.

Jeff Smith, Tacoma, WA (Sent Friday, March 21, 2008 11:50 AM)

HRC had her file breached in 2007.

diane (Sent Friday, March 21, 2008 11:51 AM)

In a political campaign, underlings do the dirty work. Reporters also
placate sources by "taking care of them" in the press.

Spike Murdock, Sacramento, CA (Sent Friday, March 21, 2008 11:51 AM)

What is going on with the Obama camp? Why are they accusing Clinton of having something to do with this?

Matthew, TN (Sent Friday, March 21, 2008 11:51 AM)

So what is that? They're corruption resume? They served under the most wicked administrations consecutively.
Now that's experience you can trust!

Dr.Strangedog, MI (Sent Friday, March 21, 2008 11:52 AM)

But isn't that the PERFECT person for the Clinton's to tap into??? One that can't be DIRECTLY traced back to them???

Please look into on how on MARCH 12th, the Clinton campaign questioned Obama's travel history. They specifically said where he had travelled and where he hadn't. How did they know this information, and isn't the timing of it on March 12th very suspicious???

This NEEDS to be investigated thoroughly!

Jeff, Charlotte, NC (Sent Friday, March 21, 2008 11:52 AM)

53% of Americans DON'T THINK HILLARY IS TRUSTWORTHY
53% of Americans THINK HILLARY IS A LIAR

The Gallup poll:

'...One final dimension underscores another potential vulnerability for Clinton -- 51% say they would not be proud to have Clinton...'

SURPRISE !!
51% ?
GAME OVER

51% of Americans wouldn't be proud of Hillary

'...Obama (57%) and McCain (55%) both score above the majority level on this measure, which highlights that both tend to fare better on basic likability measures...'than Clinton...'

'...Implications

It is clear that voters are able to distinguish among the three major presidential candidates and rate some areas as strengths and some areas as weaknesses for each. Clinton would appear to have more weaknesses in the public's eyes than McCain or Obama, though that might reflect the fact that she is a better-known figure (and has lower favorable ratings)...'

Unelectable little Billary !!

Billary Bo Peep
Has lost her sheep
And doesn't know where to find them....

Sierra, SF (Sent Friday, March 21, 2008 11:52 AM)

You are right, we shouldn't just assume that the Clintons had anything to do with the passport breach. At the same time I would say that we shouldn't assume that the Republicans had anything to do with it either. I know there have been the constant subtle hints that the Republicans did this to President Clinton way back when, but lets look at a few facts that make these two situations different.

1. When President Clinton's passport info was breached the Republicans knew that Clinton was going to be the Democrat in November. However the first look at Senator Obama's passport was in early January. Does anyone really think that the Republicans were worried about Obama back then? As I recall in early January Senator Clinton was still the presumed Democrat that was going to be on the ticket in November.

2. So armed with what we know from item 1, who would have wanted to know about Senator Obama's travels back in early November? That is also the time when Senator Clinton started to show some cracks in her armor by the way.

You have to ask yourself who REALLY would have been worried about Senator Obama at the start of this. Now it could be a case of a person just being too curious for their own good (as is what the initial story is telling us). I would have no problem with the curiousity story if it hadn't happened 3 times! Once, ok maybe... twice? I don't know... three times? Looks like a pattern to me.

I am not pointing the finger at anyone but just pointing out that if there was motive other than curiousity you have to ask yourself who would have benefitted from the info at the time, who would want to make Senator Obama look like he either has suspicious (anti-american) ties, or who would want to make him look like a light weight in foreign affairs due to no substantial experiences with foreign governments.

Suspicious, West Virginia (Sent Friday, March 21, 2008 11:54 AM)

11:45 AM

CNN is reporting that the State Department has contacted Senator Clinton to inform her that her passport file was also breach in 2007.

So for all the Obama supporters, stop whinning and crying about Obama because he's not the only victim.

So much for your Clinton was behind the Obama breach argument.

What a pathetic bunch of people the Obama supporters are. Always trying to make something out of nothing and blame the Clinton's for EVERYTHING!

Pathetic (Sent Friday, March 21, 2008 11:54 AM)

These (3) individuals are connected to some political party or spectrum. For these individuals to snoop around on (3) different dates, isn't by accident. Maybe the first individual got enough info. to send in the 2nd individual, who then sent in the 3rd. NO ACCIDENT HERE. If it's not Hillary, then look out for the Swift Boaters.

sozzi, mamaroneck, ny (Sent Friday, March 21, 2008 11:56 AM)

Andrea Mitchel is right. As an Obama supporter, I have been dismayed by Clinton's kitchen sink strategy and her endorsement of Republican McCain over Obama, but we need real evidence before we accuse her of a serious crime. It does say something, though, that so many people just assume it was the Clintons. Not a lot of respect out there for her "integrity".

E, Cincinnati, Ohio (Sent Friday, March 21, 2008 11:56 AM)

Well, if this is politically motivated and not just "curiosity", then we know who the republicans think is the stronger Dem candidate. They fear him, unlike Hillary who they know they'll be able to beat.

Jay'O Pittsburgh, PA (Sent Friday, March 21, 2008 11:58 AM)

Why journalists are not asking this question: The only reason Obama addressed the race issue was because he got caught. Otherwise his speech would have never occurred. He first denied knowing of Wright's rhetoric on national TV. When this was proven otherwise then he gave his speech. A speech that was extracted, FORCE on him because of the circumstances.

How come he allowed his daughters to witness Wright's demagogue thus perpetuating the cycle, diminishing the very post-racial America he is trying to achieve?

Rossie (Sent Friday, March 21, 2008 11:58 AM)

Patrick Kennedy not known to be particularly political? Are you kidding????????

Senor Bob (Sent Friday, March 21, 2008 11:58 AM)

with open records for our elected officials and hillary suppose to release her meetings in the white house, tax records, campaign donations ..etc why wouldnt passports and trips abroad be open to the public??? Would it not be in the voters interest? could one go through legal channels for such???

sara boyd (Sent Friday, March 21, 2008 11:59 AM)

Obviously they were checking to see if BO had attended a training camp in Afghanistan (This is a joke!)

Alan, NJ (Sent Friday, March 21, 2008 11:59 AM)

well it has just reported that all the canidates passport have been briched so who are the obama supporter going to blame it on now

debra1953 (Sent Friday, March 21, 2008 12:02 PM)

Now Andrea, thou protesteth too much (and too quickly)! Recall the Clintons firing of almost 100 Bush era Fed prosecutors to install their own in '92. Doubt Ms Harty would've been kept on at State if Andrea's good friends Bill & Hil hadn't thoroughly vetted her allegiance. After the Clinton White House FBI files theft and Bill's #2 Sandy Berger's Top Secret file caper, this Obama "look-see" arguably has the Clinton stench all over it. Do not be side-tracked by reports of Hil's files being previously perused either. Sorry Andrea. Suggest going back to yr Hil 'talking pts" for further instructions.

rafael diaz (Sent Friday, March 21, 2008 12:07 PM)

Well the Obama campaign wasted no time in accusing the current administration of being the cause. This seems to be in direct contrast to Obama's claim to being able to rise above petty partisan politics and bring people together. His default and gut instinct is to make unsupported accusations, making him no different than the Clintons. Andrea's stretched assertion that the Reagan Administration might somehow be involved is completly laughable and a pathetic drive-by attempt to provide cover for the Democrats actually responsible for the breach.

Scott Gustin, San Antonio, TX (Sent Friday, March 21, 2008 12:08 PM)

I once worked at Social Security
You can be FIRED for unauthorized access

You're counseled, suspended and FIRED

That's not just for celebrities, it's for ANYONE'S records

This is serious

This is improper

Bush or Clinton ?
They're BOTH equally crooked
They're BOTH equally unethical
They're BOTH SLIMEY

Sierra, SF (Sent Friday, March 21, 2008 12:10 PM)

So many of you looney's out there make the rest of us blog loving Dems right now look like a bunch of idiots. Neither side is throwing any stones at anyone--the Obama campaign right now is blaming this on no one for political motivations. They are basically saying right now, there was an incompetence on someone's level.

And for the record, I just want to say that I read First Read on a daily basis, multiple times a day. But lately, with all the Clinton conspiracy theories, the Obama "he's not going to get the nomination" (grow up, will ya? It's pretty clear at this point), to the post I read way up top about the whole Kenya-Hawaii birth certificate crap, is giving the Republicans all they need to fire away at the Democrats come fall. And it's not only the Presidential race that all you damn crazies need to be worried about ruining, it's also all those Senate and House races that Dems need to win this fall as well. So, quit blaming either candidate of 'ruining the party' right now when the crazies out there are just adding fuel to the fire and creating an even bigger divide among Dems. I mean, it's one thing to have an opinion; its even another to provide facts and what have you when stating your opinion/theories. It's quite another to just say blantantly false assertions in hoping to garner some sort of attention

J (Sent Friday, March 21, 2008 12:11 PM)

Gotta agree with Andrea on this...I am not holding the Clintons responsible on this (unless new information comes to light).

Obama 08

Lisa in New Britain, CT (Sent Friday, March 21, 2008 12:20 PM)

I suppose you have to follow the trap lines and see where they go (if we hadn't in an earlier episode, we'd never have had a President Ford), but odds are starting to look pretty good this isn't much of a story.

Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VA (Sent Friday, March 21, 2008 12:21 PM)

Interesting that Hillary's passport was also breached. Could this be cover, so that people will assume she was not involved in breaching Obama's passport?

Not that I think that Hillary would do something like this. That would be like hiding confidential FBI files in the White House when she was First Lady, or hiding Rose law firm billing records until the statute of limitations expired.

Hillary wouldn't do that, would she?

Obama in 2008. Integrity matters and the Clintons have none.

Sick of corruption, sick of the Clintons (Sent Friday, March 21, 2008 12:24 PM)

My conspiracy theory is that this was not known until now because someone thought this may be a good way to unite the Democratic Party....but then McCain's was breached as well...!

SEE BEE (Sent Friday, March 21, 2008 12:24 PM)

I think it's interesting that fellow democrats would go after each other anyway...that said, many political analysts have said that Hillary has gotten desperate-hence the 'kitchen sink' analogy/phrase. Regardless of shameless supporters on both sides, I do think that Obama has played his cards right. I think it's great the Hillary was quoted as saying that the Bush Administration should get right on this...perhaps there can be a unified party afterall.
Personally, I think the mud-slinging should be over because I care about things that matter to me-like education, social security, health care, and gas prices...

Jeff, Lincoln, NE (Sent Friday, March 21, 2008 12:24 PM)

OF COURSE HILLARY HAS EVERYTHING TO GAIN BY THIS AND NOTHING TO LOSE. GIVE ME A BREAK, she is desperate and we know this to be true.

Every month this year, is that a coincidence? NO!

She is so desperate to find anything to win. I bet if we knew the identity of those workers they belong to Hillary. The media can spin this any way they want to spin it but, it does not fly straight.

itsyourvoicestupid, Phila., pa. (Sent Friday, March 21, 2008 12:24 PM)

I thought it was laughable what a huge deal MSNC (particulary Oberman) made of this last night. I turned to my husband and said, "I bet people looked at passports of other candidates as well. Same as some curious hospital workers peaked at Britany Spears records." Get over it and stop blaming the Clintons for everything!

Karen, Newtown, CT (Sent Friday, March 21, 2008 12:25 PM)

Andrea. Very clever, you caution us about leaping to conclusions, that few of us would have drawn, if not cautioned. You are so transparent in your bias.

Patrick Casey. Salt Lake City,UT (Sent Friday, March 21, 2008 12:28 PM)

This just goes to show you what our country has come to under the Bush administration which obviously has no regard for our personal or civil liberties!

Lin Lo (Sent Friday, March 21, 2008 12:28 PM)

Andrea Mitchel is right. As an Obama supporter, I have been dismayed by Clinton's kitchen sink strategy . . .

E, Cincinnati, Ohio

E- just pour some water on Hillary. She'll melt away.

Dorthy, Kansas (Sent Friday, March 21, 2008 12:31 PM)

hold clinton to this because even though we dont believe she intentionally means malice,but because of the comment she made about obama only having been to one country;how did she know? after all the media holds obama to rev wright....be fair msnbc!!!!!! now all of a sudden you(msnbc) wanna say lets find out first....i have alot of respect for the msnbc teams(all of them)please dont make me end up at the fox news!!!!!!

davis pikesville md (Sent Friday, March 21, 2008 12:36 PM)

Although it was improper access to passport files, why should any of the candidates care, unless they have something to hide? They are all elected officials and we, the public, have a right to know where they have been going. Maybe they've visited some unsavory characters that we should know about!

Roy Logston, Huntsville, AL (Sent Friday, March 21, 2008 12:38 PM)

I think this warning is well placed.

My immediate reaction to hearing the story about Obama's passport file being breached was that it was probably just some employees that were curious - kind of like the phenominon of googling people.

However, when I found out the dates on which this occurred - I changed my mind:

Jan.9 - the date of the New Hampshire Primary...AFTER Obama had surprised everyone and won Iowa handily

Feb. 21 - After the Patomic Primary where Obama cleaned up and, I believe, the day of the Texas debate

March 14 - the day the Rev. Wright scandal broke big...These would have been very politically expediant times for something bad to come out about Obama.

Add to that the SAME person who did this, accessed Senator McCain's passport. The announcement that Hillary's passport had been breached in a training exercise LAST July did little to quell the suspiciousness of this - in fact, it appears to be the exception that proves the rule, it does not "fit" with the other breaches in its character.

WAY too much of a coincidence.

And yes, you can learn things from a passport file - maybe nothing of substance, but I'm betting that IF this were political, they wouldn't need to find something of substance to spin out into the media cycle and do harm.

That said, I am NOT blaming Clinton, it MAY BE just a very strange coincidence...but it is really questionable.

Maybe everyone wouldn't be so quick to blame Clinton were it not for her demonstrated willingness to do ANYTHING to win, she has lied, bent rules, and even tried to change the rules where it suits her. And she has a less then stellar record of honesty - One thing about Hillary's 35 years of "experience" that IS accurate is that it is wrought with scandal.

So, though she may be an innocent in this, and it may be unfair for people to speculate....Is it any wonder that they are?

Hillary has no one to blame for the wild speculation that she somehow has a hand in this - but HERSELF.

Mel (Sent Friday, March 21, 2008 12:39 PM)

As many of us have long believed, Hillary Clinton will do "whatever it takes" to try to destroy her opponents. This has her marks all over it...and what a clever diversion to have her own passport files peeked into...as if this can allay all suspicion thrown her way.
More each day, Obama confirms his transcendence over his opponents.
Hillary's dirty tricks will only come back to hurt her.

Debby, Northbrook, Il (Sent Friday, March 21, 2008 12:40 PM)

CitizenJ (Sent Friday, March 21, 2008 12:40 PM)

An investigation should be launched into the Obama passport breach, as well as the Clinton and McCain passport breaches. I hope the people in question only did an extremely foolish thing, the alternative thought is very unsettling.

Lilly, Olney, MD (Sent Friday, March 21, 2008 12:40 PM)

Usually, one does not get an ambassadorship without either raising or contributing megabucks to a campaign; is there a financially tie in?

The way this thing is heading, it looks like CYA tactics.

Is there not a presidential candidate in this election whose passport was NOT breached????

How about dead candidates? lol

Trojan--North Hills, CA (Sent Friday, March 21, 2008 12:41 PM)

I am sick and tired of all of this, if and when America goes down the toilet it will be because of those Americans with the same mind set as some on this blog. For one Sen. Obama has done nothing more than to try and run an honorable campaign and what does he get for his effort? Total and blatant lies about his work record, being accused of playing the race card when in actuality others brought up the issue. Now people are poking around in this man private info. This country has some real problems to address but some including the media wants to just set back and try to bring down this one man. Keep it up America…don’t complain when in two years under an McCain administration when you are paying 7 to 8 dollars for gas and you’re living in the streets. The people you should really be focusing on will continue to be rich and they will continue to take away your rights and send your sons and daughters to unnecessary wars.

Ernest, Las Vegas (Sent Friday, March 21, 2008 12:49 PM)

Just waiting for Obama to say the is just the "typical white person government" tactics. No race baiting on his part..

Typical White Person Washington State (Sent Friday, March 21, 2008 12:50 PM)

Perhaps if the Clintons’ ambitious avarice wasn't so complete people might not consider the possibility. Live by the kitchen sink. Die by the kitchen sink.

Ian (Sent Friday, March 21, 2008 12:52 PM)

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