[Richard Kimball]

Why not require anyone who runs for a federal office submit the same job application that those who need security clearance have to submit.

That's tempting, but it puts the government in charge of deciding who can run for office and creates the probability of the party in power using the check to kill any candidate by manufacturing a security breach problem. The Knights of Columbus could suddenly be discovered to be a subversive group.

[lucysmom]

That's tempting, but it puts the government in charge of deciding who can run for office and creates the probability of the party in power using the check to kill any candidate by manufacturing a security breach problem.

or ignoring a breach by its chosen candidate

This series of articles might interest you (complete list at right)

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/chronicle/archive/2002/06/09/MNCFLEADIN.DTL