I didn't apply for mine; my parents did (or I assume they did, they are the ones that gave me the card). It is quite possible it was applied for in California (we traveled a lot). Again, this still makes it a curiosity. It is curious that Obama has a CT number. It is curious that the kid with the number immediately preceding it is dead (which is not the same as having the same number as a dead person).
I'd rather see the effort exerted on college records.
I realize he doesn't have the SS# of the dead young man. I think his SS# was brought up just as a reference point but people got confused.
The SS Department clearly states that since 1973 the number is issued from the state application mailing address zip code. http://www.socialsecurity.gov/employer/stateweb.htm