Could You Or I Get A Security Clearance If We Had Obama-like Connections to a Bill Ayers??

AmericanInTokyo ^ | 9 October 2008 | AmericanInTokyo

[AmericanInTokyo]

This is food for thought and should be a question posed during this campaign over and over.

We are electing a man who is to granted access to information on par with holding the highest level of security clearance available in our land.

Past or present, association with known terrorists would disqualify anyone from any level of security clearance in the United States, particularly a high-level, correct?

[AmericanInTokyo]

Vanity. But needed to be said.

[napscoordinator]

Actually yes as long as it was longer than 7 years for a Secret clearance and 10 years for a Top Secret clearance. I believe Obama is in the clear if we are speaking strictly about clearance eligibility.

[jersey117]

Here in NYC you need to undergo an extensive background check to work anywhere. I don’t think Obama could even get a job as a security guard at the Mall. No certified birth certificate, shady characters connected to domestic terrorism in his past, admitted drug use, possible illegal campaigning in a foreign country...

[Freeper]

Actually you could not get a clearance to be in the US Marine Corps Band to play “MUSIC” at the White House - - - - - much less be the President!

[craig61a]

You make a very good point, but after all, were talking about politics here, and NoBama seems to have plenty of ‘Get Out Of Jail Free’ cards granted by the MSM...

[silverleaf]

Bill Clinton couldn’t have gotten a clearance either.
So what?

He even managed to lose the codes to start or stop a nuc war while he was boffing his way around the White House, as per story told in book by his military aide.

Just imagine OBAMA with “the football”

[AmericanInTokyo]

so far, i like YOUR answer the BEST! ;-)

[AmericanInTokyo]

what I’m saying. some are above the law.

[ExTexasRedhead]

Which authority grants security clearances?? Can we pose this question to them and will they answer it? Send this question to Rush, Hannity, Levin, Hedgecock, Reagan, and ask that they pose it on the air. Call the RNC in DC and McCain HQ and ask them too.

[Proud2BeRight]

Excellent question!

[WaterBoard]

Unfortunately, the answer is YES.

I asked this of OPM and FBI agents who do background investigations about this contradiction in the past.

If I had financial problems, past felonies/convictions, drug use, among other things; I would not be able to get a TOPSEC clearance.

However, if you are political appointee you are able to get cleared.

During the Clinton administration, many appointees who would never have been able to get security clearances if they applied as a contractor or government employee were give the okay.

[Condor51]

'Could You Or I Get A Security Clearance If We Had Obama-like Connections to a Bill Ayers??'

No.
And in fact, Obama couldn't get the Security Clearance(s) I HAD. Last one was after 9-11 too.

my Feeb file is a good inch thick

[puroresu]

I’ve interviewed with the FBI many times over the years regarding former student workers of mine who needed security clearances. In each case, the type of questions they asked indicates to me that Obama would have a very serious problem getting a security clearance. I can’t imagine telling one of those guys that my former student hung out with Bill Ayers, attended a church where the preacher said we deserved to get hit on 9/11, or went to Kenya to campaign for his cousin Fidel, running on a Marxist/Muslim Sharia ticket.

[1curiousmind]

McCain/Palin and their surrogates need to keep asking this question>

“ Would YOU associate with a man like Bill Ayers? If not, why in the world would you elect a President who would?”

And they need to wait until the person responds before asking the second question. Hannity has asked it but never waits and lets the person respond. They would have to say “no”.

[AmericanInTokyo]

Has any of this changed, tightened up, since we have been in a state of War, from September 2001?

[Evil Slayer]

Obama, if elected, will not be in office more than 3 months. Biden will be sworn in as his replacement. Hillary will be Biden’s VP. This sets up a battle for President between Biden and Palin in 2011.

[Proud2BeRight]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Single_Scope_Background_Investigation

[SueRae]

I have been asking this since I heard of the Ayers connection (well over a year). There’s no way Obama would pass a proper security investigation, let alone, a poly on this. I can’t imagine that the holder of the highest office can get away with it. If so, then my past clearances aren’t worth the paper they’re printed on.

[Mjaye]

Exactly! His associations with Ayers as well as his connections to Kenyan government politics would be serious if you or I had these issues hanging over us. Yet we are supposed to shut up and keep quiet?

I remember during the Clinton years reading that a relatively high percentage of his staff had security problems. Of all possible gov’t employees, why’s in the world would the POTUS get a pass for clearance?

[oldenuff2no]

I had a Top Secret clearance with an extended background investigation. They came back and ask me questions about things I had forgotten about and I had to clarify each of them.
Bill Clinton could not have passed this investigation because of his anti war associations in the UK.
Obama couldn't get passed the first check because of his association with known terrorists.
Political appointees, congress critters and presidents aren't investigated in this manner.
Neither Clinton or Obama could get the clearance to be an instillation commander on a military base that handles nuclear weapons. the Weathermen is one of the organizations that is specifically ask about on the initial paperwork when applying for these security clearances.