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First Read is an analysis of the day's political news, from the NBC News political unit. First Read is updated throughout the day, so check back often.

Chuck Todd, NBC Political Director

Mark Murray, NBC Deputy Political Director

Domenico Montanaro, NBC Political Researcher



Contractors in passport case I.D.'d

Posted: Friday, March 21, 2008 5:36 PM by Chuck Todd

From NBC's Jim Popkin and Libby Leist
Two of the government contractors who allegedly took a peek at Sen. Barack Obama's passport records worked for a Virginia-based firm called Stanley, Inc., according to U.S. government officials with knowledge of the State Department passport controversy.

NBC News contacted a Stanley, Inc. spokeswoman this afternoon, and informed her that two sources had confirmed that employees at her firm were involved with the scandal. The spokeswoman would only comment: "We've been directed by the State Department to direct all media calls to them."

The government officials tell NBC News that Stanley Inc. fired the two workers. A worker at a second contracting company, not related to Stanley, Inc.,  also allegedly took a look at the Obama files and those belonging to Sen. John McCain. That person has been disciplined but not yet been fired, State Department officials say.

Stanley, Inc., is headquartered in Arlington, Va. and is employee-owned. The State Department awarded it a contract for $164 million in 2006. The contract calls for Stanley to print and mail millions of new U.S. passports.

One Stanley, Inc., contractor allegedly looked at Obama's passport records on January 9, and then a second Stanley employee allegedly took a peek at similar Obama records on February 21, the officials said. Stanley, Inc., fired both workers after the alleged security breaches were discovered.

According to its website: "Stanley has approximately 3,500 employees at more than 100 locations in the U.S. and worldwide. Stanley offers a full-spectrum systems integration portfolio of services, providing comprehensive solutions for all phases of a program, product, or business lifecycle to meet each customer's mission-critical requirements."

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"According to federal campaign records, Stanley's CEO, Philip Nolan, has made political contributions to prominent Republican candidates and also gave $1,000 to Sen. Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign on Feb. 20, 2008."
-NBC
Because these two did it to liberals, they'll be killed by the press. If they did this to conservatives, they'd be celebrated. They's even get to speak at the dailykos and huffington conventions.
$1,000 from a Stanley Inc. employee to HRC this year:

Total for this search: $1,000

Candidate
Contributor
Employer
Date
Amount

Clinton, Hillary
Nolan, Philip
Mc Lean,VA 22101
Stanley, Inc
2/20/2008
$1,000


source: opensecrets.org
Dear Clintonites:

Due to “you’re being DUPED” by Hillary and her statements, the flip-flop on NAFTA, the flip-flop on the Michigan/ Florida Re-vote, the flip-flop on the Iraq war, and her basic negative campaigning practices: then please listen with rapt interest to following:

WARNING: THIS MAY BE YOUR LAST CHANCE “TO CURE  YOURSELF” OF THE DREADFUL DISEASE CALLED: "CLINTONITIS-LARENGITIS!"

If you believe that you have been brainwashed, by the “Clintonista  Brainwashing Machine,” and that you have been  inadvertently infected with "CLINTONITIS-LARENGITIS."   Quick, call for a quarantine procedure specialist and get this plague under control!

You can tell if you have "CLINTONITIS-LARENGITIS" from the following telltale symptoms.
Every time you open your mouth, the following occurs: inaccuracies, inattention to detail, and flat out un-truths; not to mention distortions, disruptions, and miss-communications, temper-tantrums, and inconsiderate language communication.

You must seek the CURE IMMEDIATELY in order to avoid further BRAIN-ROT!

YOU MUST SAY THE FOLLOWING TEN TIMES TO AVOID "CLINTONITIS-LARENGITIS:"

1. Obama is the one, the only one, who has been honest about his feelings and opinions concerning Rev. Wright: This inspires trust!

2. Obama is dedicated to his loved ones/family: This inspires trust!!

3. Obama is the one: who has spent his life serving others rather than trying to get rich: This inspires trust !

4. The rich and powerful are few: but they will try to destroy Obama because of his stance on special interest: This inspires trust!

5. Obama is loyal to his family, God, and Country: This inspires trust!


6.  Obama is the one who gave an historic speech that challenged us to see beyond the color of ones skin: This inspires trust!


Good, then this will make sense to you now:
Clinton has failed to INSPIRE --anything!
This story deserves much more digging.  

It's reasonable to think that the only non-Obama snoop (that of McCain on March 14) was simply a "cover your tracks" move by someone who realized that, based on 2 other people having been fired, that this might eventually become public.  As a result, they opened McCain's record also as a red herring.  Whether this was a GOP or Clinton effort, it's ridiculous to suggest that on 3 separate occasions (and 2 after someone had already been fired), somebody was "just curious."  Nonsense.  It's also important to note that there is a clear warning in the system before it releases the information.  So the idea that somebody was "just interested" is a smokescreen.
The government needs to release the names of these employees, check their schedule, who they've been meeting and talking to. This must be thoroughly investigated. Even a duck doesn't buy the notion that this was mere curiosity - total crap!
Probably when all of the light is shed on this, it will be 3 really stupid employees who thought they were cool and that getting caught was for other people.

That said, Stanley, Inc. did not impress on all it's employees there are serious consequences for ignoring security. And firing them without threat of prosecution, and covering it up, now that really is a crime.

Then again, Watergate unraveled Nixon's presidency with only, to quote, "a third-rate burglary" into DNC HQ. From tiny acorns.....
Where's your story about the Hillary Clinton records being breached? The McCain records?

MSNBC aka the Obama network is shamelessly promoting Obama, blah blah blah We love Obama 24/7. GAG.

Obama is unelectable.

No amount of MSNBC promotion or money is going to elect Obama. He's toxic.

Hillary Clinton should be the Dem nominee, as she is the most qualified and most electable candidate in the race.

For me, it's Hillary or McCain.
Look, I think it was just bad judgment and not some CONSPIRACY!
This is to people who think they have a right to judge. Who are we to judge people? Do we know our sins first? Can we ask God to forgive our sins?

To people who value they are race more that other races.
A 5 years old white introduce a 3 years old black child to an indian friend this is my sister, the mother said “ Don’t lie it is your friend (referring to the black child)”. The mother said that "you have different mother and father".
The white child replies “But my father (her biological father) has got other children (from a different woman) but thy are my sisters”.

This is 5 years old child cannot pick her sisters because of colors. Don’t think that how God sees us without colors but His children.

Why don’t we start behaving like this 5 years old white child?
God bless America.
The black child is my child, and believe that God blesses us with that message on that day.
Very dangerous ground here for Clinton to walk.

He could easily be seen as implying that Obama is not patriotic and does not love his country, so therefore the general should be Clinton vs. McCain.  

It almost sounds like he's appealing to voters to go back to their comfort zone where you have two white candidates and race isn't going to be an issue to grapple with.

My first reaction is to hear these comments with great cynicism and to read them in this manner.  Clinton couldn't be that dumb, could he?  First it's Obama isn't qualified for CIC while Clinton/McCain are, now Obama isn't patriotic but Clinton/McCain are?  

This could get nasty.  Although the backlash among the Superdelegates to end this before Clinton trashes Obama and wounds him into the general might rise up.  
This is to people who think they have a right to judge. Who are we to judge people? Do we know our sins first? Can we ask God to forgive our sins?

To people who value they are race more that other races.
A 5 years old white introduce a 3 years old black child to an indian friend this is my sister, the mother said “ Don’t lie it is your friend (referring to the black child)”. The mother said that "you have different mother and father".
The white child replies “But my father (her biological father) has got other children (from a different woman) but thy are my sisters”.

This is 5 years old child cannot pick her sisters because of colors. Don’t think that how God sees us without colors but His children.

Why don’t we start behaving like this 5 years old white child?
God bless America.
The black child is my child, and believe that God blesses us with that message on that day.
According to federal campaign records, Stanley's CEO, Philip Nolan, has made political contributions to prominent Republican candidates and also gave $1,000 to Sen. Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign on Feb. 20, 2008.  http://deepbackground.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/03/21/794799.aspx
John McCain will have a very hard time convincing American Citizens that he is the right candidate for U.S. President. He indirectly helped hundreds of thousands of jobs go to Airbus in France throughout Europe. If he doesn't remember that, then he is to old, with all due respect for Senior Citizens.
For every underhanded thing that has been done against Obama, there is a connection to the Clintons.  It is very interesting to me that the firm that the employees that breached Obama's file are based in Virginia.  This is interesting because a book titled The Family: The Secret Fundamentalism at the Heart of American Power that will be published in May talks about Hillary's affiliation with a conservative bible study and prayer circle group.  This group is known to be a secretive Capitol Hill group "Fellowship" ada The Family.  
In an artcle from Huffington it is Clinton's "Family." This family is organized into "cells" -- their term -- and operates sex-segregated group homes for young people in northern VIRGINIA.


http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aYaUqMqpWpW4&refer=home

Clinton Aide Penn Mixes Campaign Role, Advocacy for Companies
By Timothy J. Burger and Kristin Jensen


http://www.townhall.com/columnists/thingyMorrisandEileenMcGann/2007/10/22/conflict_of_interest_buson-marsteller_and_h illary_clintons_alliance

Conflict of Interest: Buson-Marsteller and Hillary Clinton's Alliance
By Dick Morris and Eileen McGann
Monday, October 22, 2007


http://www.americablog.com/2008/02/mark-penns-tangled-corporate-web.html

Mark Penn's tangled corporate web: Clinton is a client; McCain is a client.
by Joe Sudbay (DC) · 2/25/2008 10:18:00 AM ET


http://www.thenation.com/doc/20070521/berman

Spinning Hillary Centrist
Ari Berman
article | posted May 7, 2007 (web only)


http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/2/24/14518/2213/544/463202

Mark Penn's lobbying shop is headed by John McCain's top adviser
by JedReport
Sun Feb 24, 2008 at 08:14:08 PM PDT
Carol, Long Valley NJ

B.H. Obama is the luckies man. The media (MSNBC) is so in love with him that it pained them to tell the news of his pastor's racist comments. Now, the media has found a way to not critisize Big O and will run with this news for ages to come.
the same thing happened to Bill Clinton and his mother when he was the candidates.Keith dedicated an hour to Obamas passport snooping---10 minutes?to Clintons and Mccain
Intersting.....do they trade under the name of Stanley?? Who is on their board of directors? Do they have any wealthy contributors?

Media do your job and follow the money.......I'm becoming more and more aware of who it will lead to.
just another thought to ponder
Thanks for the news information.
Forget all the recent polls, it's an awful situation for Obama going forward.  

On the one hand, we have the senator calling for unity and harmony, then, on Sundays, off he goes to Wright's church for spiritual guidance from a man, who saturates the podium with hatred and veiled threats.  And even if it's not every Sunday, the fact that it occurs often enough, should be cause for alarm.  Therefore, no matter how much you "candy coat" this scenario, the "proof is in the pudding!"
I look at this this passport peek was on purpose and ideological , not the innocent look by wide eyed  above suspicion employees of a government contractor. There is no such thing as a government contractor in the Bush administration not being ideological.

As for McCain and Clinton wide eyed innocent passport files breach  it as done just to cover their act.


I have heard enough from the Obama lips that Hillary is not to be trusted,Bill was not a good president,she wants to be president too much,in his sly slippery fashion.All the time hiding behind his bad judgement and corrupt friends and nasty mouthed preacher man.I guess he considers Hillary a typical white person like his granny.He does not deserve to be president  as he is reminding me too much of George Bush.Poor Obama--went to Harvard,makes tons of money,his wife makes tons of money,lives in a mansion,and is still whining about being picked on because he is black.I am feeling so united with his obamanoids.I moved out of move-on when they told me I HAD to began campaigning for Obama,start knocking on doors,donate cash and making phone calls.I was not not nuts then and have only gotten smarter,everytime he opens his mouth.I made the right decision
guess who's campaign got a donation from Stanley, Inc?
I accessed the web page of Stanley Inc. (2 of their employees were involved in the passport breaches).  I find it interesting that on their bragging page (http://www.stanleyassociates.com/), they indicate "March 18, 2008--Stanley awarded $570 million contract to continue support of passport program."  Is this the reward they get for having their employees breach the passport files of our political candidates?
http://twocanpete.blogspot.com/
Another case of civil servant jobs being outsourced at the expense of national and personal security.
Interesting. Keep digging and find out who these people are.
It looks like a Stanley steamroller operation to me
I need another drink after reading this one.  

So... all that an employee needed to gain access to the files was a user name and password? From there on, it was the honor sytem?  
These people were apparently computer experts, therefore one might reasonably conclude that they would be aware that a presidential candidate's files might be security tagged. At that point, one has to ask, why did they feel so sure that they wouldn't get tagged for this? Did they feel protected? The state department says that they have security to protect against this, but it happened three times in three months and the state department apparently would never have gone after them if a reporter hadn't picked up on it. It seems a little too cute that Bush the father tried to gather damning information against then presidential candidate Bill Clinton by digging in his passport file and then, guess what? It happens again to presidential candidate in Bush son's term. Wow! What a coincidence! Not only that, but without even investigating, the state department within hours issues a statement that it was just curiosity. No harm, no foul. Kind of smelly!!!
If there is anything in any of the 3 candidates passport files that cannot stand complete and open scrutiny by ANY American ANY time, then they don't need to be allowed to run!

When they threw their hats in the voting ring - they gave up the right to privacy!!!
I feel the intent was to get information from these files and to use it or sell it.  But the government officials are trying to keep it low key from the public. This is a bad security breach.
Why were they snooping?  Why were charges not brought? For whom were they snooping and why?  Isn't this a security breach?  
 I am surprised at all of the hoopla over the three contract workers who opened Obama's passport records. Such naivete we Americans share. Do people not realize that the government agents hired under the Patriot Act to protect us from international terrorist already know what color his boxers are, what he says in the privacy of his home and what kind of toothpaste he uses. Wake up America!


Visit: www.oneagleswingsfearnoevil.com



Pay attention to the page Terrorism in America.
The third employee, who has not been fired, worked for The Analysis Corporation (TAC), which is headed by John O. Brennan, a former CIA agent who is an adviser to Mr. Obama's presidential campaign on intelligence and foreign policy.

You should follow up on THAT part of the story.  

Seriously.  

Will MS-OBAMA do that?  Cover the full story?  Will Olberman stop accusing Clinton's team of involvement when signs are pointing the other way?  Will your eight PM shark jumper apologize for his hysterical accusations?  

Inquiring minds don't really want to know, because they watch ANDERSON COOPER at that hour..!

Obviously, if you people don't see this thing is connected to Hillary all of you are legally blind. It does not take a rocket scientist to realize that. If you follow very well the timing of all that I am strongly agreed with the other writer who mentioned it first. I am republican, and is started to scare me the way the Clintons are doing thing specially with OBAMA. There is anywhere who will be able to see Hillary's fairness in the race. When you take a look back to the story, Hillary's passport was "LOOCKED AT" during a training process by internal employees last year, MC Cain was "BREACHED" sometimes end january or febuary this year.(Just remember the story about MC Cain was not a natural born US Citizen)...But the most critical of all is the OBAMA situation(Check is timing: Right before/after OHIO, TEXAS and right after that stupid controversy eveyone is going crazy about eventhough they know guilty by association is a poor judgment)...In my common sense this Clintons are doing anything to keep this Politic in USA hostage by their lies and influences.Yeah I say influences, because even the Media play a good part now in this all process. And let me explain: Every one who has their head on their shoulder will realize ever since Hillary Clinton tell the Media that they were picking at her they left her alone on every aspect til present day. They are so meany thing they could of talking about right now, but no they stick on Mc Cain mis speaking on the middle East trip, Obama's tragedy with the pastor... for some reason they are not talking about Hillary's lies about NAFTA after her record has been release, or they are not even try to debate about why MC Cain and Obama's inquiries of the privacy information happen in this time. So I start beleiving that these Media(FOX, MSNBC etc..) got a pay off or something. And you people if you never get to the point to leave partisanship behind and think with a clear head you will never see how fake Hillary is (Just a hint Look at her face when she is speaking, her eye will tell you who she is)If I was a democrat I would cut my hand off instead of voting for that woman. I wish that the GOP has a woman on their side. So MC Cain or Obama is find with me at least they respect American people not their personal gain...Think again People!!!
I eagerly await the news on how Stanley, Inc. is rewarded by the Bush Administration for its incompetence...which "W" will, of course, call a "job well done!"
Barack Obama is simply the most impressive person to run for president since Robert Kennedy.  Senator Clinton's "kitchen sink" approach to her attacks have been relentless.  I like Mrs. Clinton, and she deserves credit for her tenacity.  However, Senator Obama has taken it all without losing his cool, and it it is just one more affirmation of his credentials.  Governor Richardson sees it, and I hope this opens a floodgate of significant super delegate endorsements.

DT Fishkill NY
well think the outside groups are ralling over Obama??He will be so steamrolled in Nov. So many dems wont vote for him if he steals this election. He is scared thats why he is trying to stop the states left from voteing.He thinks Richardson will help him put a stop to others voteing than everyone will vote for him and he will steal election. It will be another 4 yrs for reps.
In corporate America, these breaches of security are immediately identified and the appropriate disciplinary actions are taken on all involved.  To think that this can happen in the US State Department and go undetected with no stated disciplinary actions on the stated management employee(s) as well for  not following policy is deplorable.  And, Hillary Clinton's training error should not even be mentioned in the same context as Senator Obama's and Senator McCain's.  They are uniquely different.  In fact, there should be dummmy files created for training.  No one should be given the option/authority to access someone else's real or actual file during a training exercise.  This is deplorable.
full investigation now!!
Interesting how the headline was quickly changed to all three candidates files were breached, however Clinton was done last year during classroom exersize, McCain once in past, but Obama was violated 3 times and we still don't know anything about what was doen with the information.  The Bush Administration has changed the discussion and the media was played and went with the change as normal.
This incident is just more evidence of the severe level of incompetence of the current administration. The use of contractors in the handling of sensitive data is another example of what happens when you downsize and outsource the functions of government rather than using the taxpayers money to hire loyal federal employees to perform sensitive tasks. It would be interesting to learn what ties the administration has to the companies that provide these contractors and how their contracts were awarded.
So...if I understand this correctly, Stanley, Inc did NOT report this breach by their subs until AFTER they were awarded the $570m contract? Nope, nothing suspecious there! But if Obama wins the nomination he should have his security keep an eye on Stanley, Inc. subcontractors! Money is power.
http://twocanpete.blogspot.com/
It's obvious that because this breech involved power-elites the offenders should be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Interesting that the CEO of the company that was involved with this is an Obama supporter.  Was this supposed to help him look like a victim again?
I Hope someone at MSNBC says something that is honest and not hide this from the public ! OBERMAN , MATTEWS ! It was never the Clintons like you tried so hard to make it seem ! apoloigies !!


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