Obama-Gate

Intelligence Matters

According to CNN News, John O. Brennen, the Chief Executive Officer of the Contract firm (Analysis Corp.) whose employees sifted through the 08 presidential contenders passport files is a consultant to the Barack Obama campaign. Perhaps calling for a full investigation was a bit short-sighted on the part of Obama. What, in the most likely scenario, is a case of curiosity across the board by low level contract employees, has mushroomed out of proportion. Should they be dismissed and reprimanded – of course – especially if peeking into anyone’s files is grounds for dismissal under the State Departments employee guidelines.

What is of interest is the fact that the CEO of the contracting firm is a consultant to the campaign. This brings embarrassment – to Barack Obama’s campaign, not the State Department. Surely once this story broke, someone at the highest level of that campaign should have realized that Mr. O’Brennen advises Obama on foreign policy and intelligence issues.

Repeat and reflect: intelligence issues.

Much Ado About Obama-Gate – Cover Boy calls Foul!

MSNBC headlined breaking news last heaving reporting a breach of security involving the State Department, contract employees (those hired by staffing firms and working for the Federal Government in a variety of capacities), and a sneak peak at Governor Barack Obama’s passport credentials. It took less than 10 minutes before Keith Oberman drew the conclusion that yes, this just might be another Watergate. At that point, watching this news sitcom became riveting – Obama campaign staffers were on the phone calling for investigations into what they felt must certainly be a malicious act, due to the fact that it took 70 days for the first instance to be reported. This leads one to believe that Obama staffers and perhaps the Senator have no clue as to how this government functions – 70 days is light speed!

Here come the investigations, the analysis ad nausea and the hope by NBC, ABC and the Obama campaign that perhaps this story has enough juice to take the heat of the Senators affiliation with sundry anti-American clergy and former weather-underground members, thereby propelling him to the top of the polls once again.

With McCain, leading in the head-to-head polls by double digits, surely something should break that will turn the tide of fortune back upon Barrack?

Not for nothing, but the one-term Senator from Illinois has been elevated to rock-star status in the minds of the media, the youth and most Democrats. One has to wonder if those same contract employees (those not affiliated directly with the government in any way, shape or form), sneaked a peak at Brittney Spears passport, or anyone else who has had their face and/or entire body on the cover of any glossy magazine (see People, Times Multiple Magazine Covers).

Perhaps the Senator should be flattered that his rise to stardom transcends mere politics and has taken on the trappings of Hollywood. After all, is there really a clear line drawn between fact, fiction, Hollywood and the DNC frontrunner? All one has to do to look at the affection held for Obama by the news media, the Hollywood rank and file, and those inclined to vote upon hope, not experience and/or issues. With fans screaming and fainting at campaign rallys one can conclude that that this type of “breach” from low-level contract employees is all in a days admiration. Where are the paparazzi? – Right besides Obama, press-pass in hand.