On Thursday, March 21, the Washington Times unearthed a serious security breach within the State Department concerning the passport files of presidential hopefuls Barack Obama, Hilary Clinton, and John McCain.

In addition to providing excellent fodder for political journalists weary of the constant campaign trail bickering, these revelations have sent various governmental offices into damage control mode.

Senator Obama’s file was breached on three occasions—in January, February, and March. Senators McCain and Clinton’s files were viewed last summer.

The New York Times reported that State Department officials had discovered the breaches as early as last summer but failed to inform the candidates.

The Washington Post quotes State Department spokesman Sean McCormack, stated that while the breaches were flagged,

“That information didn’t rise up to senior management levels […] that should have happened.” Read More »

You wouldn’t think it, but there is one way this 2008 presidential election looks sort of like the end of the 2004 campaign.

The celebrities are coming out early and in full force.

Here’s how it breaks down by candidate (the ones who are still in the game) and celeb (this is a MUCH abbreviated list):

Mike Huckabee – Chuck Norris

Barack Obama – Oprah Winfrey

John McCain – Red Sox pitcher Kurt Schilling

Hilary Clinton – America Ferrera

I understand that a celebrity endorsement can bring excitement to the campaign and makes people who otherwise might not pay attention to a particular candidate tune in and then (I hope) research that candidate’s platform. Perhaps I shouldn’t be so shocked that not only do quite a few people take note of who throws their support where, but it actually makes a difference as to who is coming out to back you up.

According to a Forbes.com poll, six celebrities “who would have the most positive impact on the image of a candidate with whom they associated were Oprah, on top, followed by Tom Hanks, George Clooney, Jon Stewart of The Daily Show, Angelina Jolie and Tiger Woods.” Read More »

With the infamous Iowa caucus and the first Primaries (in New Hampshire, if you haven’t been paying much attention) out of the way, the 2008 election is on. Not that it wasn’t really on before – I couldn’t open a web page or turn on the radio without hearing something about Obama, Hillary or Huckabee – but we have officially entered a new phase. And things are about to get serious.

Welcome to Primary Season, the time when we get out and vote for the candidate we want representing our party in the run for the Oval Office. This might seem completely boring/unimportant- ”who the hell is this Barack Obama character, anyway” to you, but it is quite the opposite.

There are currently a slew of Democratic and Republican candidates traipsing across the country in attempts to become our next President. Only one of each will have the opportunity to go for the gold. And only one will actually take it.

And, might I remind you, the man or woman who finally moves into the White House in 2008 is completely up to us. Yes, even you.

I know that discussing politics is not the top priority of many college students. What with more important topics like class, partying and reality TV, who even has the time? But it should be; especially now. Read More »