Obama Office Burglarized: An Obama field office in Allentown was broken into this weekend:

[mod mom]

Obama Office Burglarized: An Obama field office in Allentown was broken into this weekend:

Barack Obama's Allentown office was burglarized this week, and multiple laptops and cell phones were stolen, an Obama campaign aide said today. A police spokesman confirmed the incident, but couldn't provide details today because reports are kept in the department's records depository, which is closed weekends.

An Obama aide, speaking on condition of anonymity, said "a couple" field laptops were taken out of the office at 1233 Linden St. The computers have demographic information that the campaign uses to target voters. "A couple" cell phones were also taken, the aide said.

-snip

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/02/17/pennsylvania-primary-late_n_87069.html

[TexasLady]

1. hmm not good.

[PoliticalAmazon]

73. Surely they had the computers password protected. n/t

[Tribetime]

2. Didn't this happen to Kerry in 2004 in Toledo or something

[mod mom]

7. Lucas Co Dem HQ broken in just weeks before the election.

[mod mom]

15. Link:

Article published Tuesday, October 12, 2004
Lucas County Democratic headquarters burglarized


The Lucas County Democratic Headquarters was burglarized overnight, and three computers, including the party’s main system, were stolen.

The computers contained highly sensitive information, including the party’s financial information, names and personal phone numbers of hundreds of party members, candidates, and volunteers.


A second computer, belonging to an attorney-volunteer working to ensure voters’ rights, also was taken, officials said. The headquarters on 1817 Madison Avenue does have an alarm system that volunteers believed they set late Monday when they left.

-snip
http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20041012/NEWS03/41012016

[Tribetime]

19. thanks , although it brings up bad memories

[sniffa]

8. Yes, but that was probably a false flag operation by the Kerry campaign

[farmbo]

31. Say what? Link?

If you have some evidence of this, please share it.

If not....

:grr:

[sniffa]

35. Here

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x5589545#5589572

[blm]

48. Yes, but BEFORE that Chris Lehane had his laptop 'stolen' from an unlocked car in SF,

but it is pretty well realized by now that Lehane was in the camp to UNDERMINE the campaign. He was pushed out shortly after and ended up in Clark's campaign.

I believe he was always working to undermine 2004, period, as an operative for the DC powerstructure that didn't want a Gore win in 2000 or a Kerry win in 2004.

[MH1]

3. Now, who would have a motive for such a thing?

Hmmm.

[barb162]

13. Obama's camp?

[Zachstar]

17. Let us not go there. There is no evidence as of yet.

[AllentownJake]

25. Lets not go there

I'm from that office. We have no evidence that it was done as a disruption.

[Radical Activist]

78. Lots of people.

Bush cronies who didn't learn their lesson after Watergate. Anyone looking to sell a laptop on the street.

[Rage for Order]

4. Probably a false flag operation by the Obama campaign n/t

[MH1]

5. ...

:rofl:

[Fovea]

11. Which candidate's approach reminds one the most

of Karl Rove's?

Hmmm.

[barb162]

14. Obama.

[Fovea]

47. Some of our contestants will be recieving

a copy of Fantasy Politics!
Another fine Milton Friedman game...

[AllentownJake]

23. No

It took time away from getting things ready this weekend restoring the office.

I was there.

[Cha]

51. Yeah, like you fucking know

shit.

[Mags]

55. wonder who burned Hillary's office in Terra H. Ind? who would have a motive?

[mod mom]

57. I guess Terre Haute Fire Officer John Gardner must be part of the conspiracy:

:eyes:

It appears the fire started in the ceiling, and now all that's left is charred remains. "At this time right now we're doing a thorough investigation on it," said John Gardner, Terre Haute Fire public information officer. "We are not looking at it as a suspicious fire."

http://www.wthitv.com/Global/story.asp?S=8151421

[Ichingcarpenter]

6. Obama's web site hacked bringing a link directly to the Hillary Campaign site

Someone hacked the MyBO website!Several links were redirecting to Hillary's website instead of going to the intended pages within MyBO (MyBO is my.barackobama.com).

The most notable link was from the MyBO Dashboard page (note, the Dashboard page itself was working fine throughout the entire ordeal):

http://my.barackobama.com/...

While the site was hijacked, if you went from the Dashboard (which, again, worked fine) to the "Community Blogs" section, you would have gotten redirected to Hillary's website from some of the links within the website. Also, if you had clicked on "My Blog" and then "View All Blogs," it would have taken you to Hillary's website.

At this time, I believe all of the redirects have been fixed. Although, if anyone sees more, post them in the comments. Follow me after the jump for more...
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/4/20/0418/25607/38/499311

[QC]

9. OMG! They didn't steal all the hope 'n change, did they? n/t

[Jamastiene]

60. zOMG,

:spray: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[lachattefolle]

80. Probably just the change.

:evilgrin:

[NightWatcher]

10. were "plumbers" involved?

[aasleka]

12. Seems to have happened in every Democratic Presidential campaign I can remember

[Divernan]

29. But not in a primary.

[rug]

16. Bitter Burglars for Obama.

[grantcart]

18. I know who it was It was this guy

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x5589528

[hisownpetard]

24. Good work, Columbo!! That Old Crusoe sure telegraphs his punches, don't he?

[AllentownJake]

20. Looks like the cat is out of the bag

I took off work on Friday when this happened. I didn't want to fan the flames on here.

[Yael]

27. Is this what you said you were going to share on Wednesday?

[AllentownJake]

39. Yes

I didn't think it would get national coverage.

[Emit]

40. Can you add any more info, now that the cat is out?

Not asking for any detail the campaign doesn't want the public to know, of course, because that would be in poor form. But, any suspects and such that is public info yet?

[AllentownJake]

43. What I know

No suspects

Cell phones and Laptops taken

Nothing vandalized.

[Emit]

45. Thanks, Jake3463

And thanks for your activism on the ground. :hi:

[stellanoir]

21. somebody threw a kitchen sink through the window I'll bet

[GarbagemanLB]

22. were any pots and pans left behind at the crime scene?

[EFerrari]

68. No, just a shot of whiskey and a dead banded duck. n/t

[Yael]

26. I'm sure Jake will have the scoop

Thats the office he is working out of.

[AllentownJake]

28. Scoop on the Allentown Office

I didn't post this on here because I didn't really want to fan flames against Clinton because there is no evidence her or her campaign was involved.

I took off work that day. It was like someone had robbed my house (that's how it felt).

The office is in an inner city neighborhood and anyone who walks in from the street is welcome. Someone could have easily scoped it out by pretending to be interested in the campaign and come back that night.

All our data is internet based so no data was lost.

We had trouble getting ready for Saturday but our sister office in Bethlehem picked up the slack and worked extra hours to get us ready.

If you have any questions I'll answer what I can.

[Yael]

32. What bothers me the most about this

and I can't speak for all Obama offices, but ours is pure loaners. Phones and computers were brought in by the volunteers for everyone to use throughout the duration of the campaign.

I had 2 laptops that I had taken in, but had to bring them back home as they wouldn't work with the wireless (technology was too old).

[AllentownJake]

46. In hindsight

They probably should have had locks for the laptops when the office is closed. Live and learn.

[tekisui]

34. Did it appear the burglars were after info or just the merchandise?

[AllentownJake]

36. No Vandalism

Cell phones and Computers were the only thing taken.

[mod mom]

38. Thanks for the info.

I didn't post this to fuel the fire w Clintonites. What came to mind, being from Ohio, was the break-ins at Lucas Co Dem HQ as well as the Ohio Dem Party HQ. I posted 2 other Dem HQ breakins down thread. Funny, I've never read about GOP HQ break ins.

[Emit]

41. What did they take?

Did it appear motivated by $ that may have been iin a petty cash drawer, or did it look like they were after info on the campaign?

[AllentownJake]

44. They took

Cell phones and laptops.

Looks like a crime of opportunity.

Data is online. They wouldn't have gotten much out of the laptops.

[Zachstar]

76. Depends.

Now I do not think it was from the Clinton campaign but do be aware that depending on the programs used. The cache is filled with data.

Tho because it is easier to just send a spy into a campaign. I highly doubt it was an attempt to steal info.

My guess is? Drug Buyers. Laptops and Phones are stolen from campaigns all the time to sell on the black market.

[BlooInBloo]

67. Please... say "server based" - it's both true, and a lot less scary sounding.

:)

[mod mom]

30. Obama Office Burglarized in Davenport Iowa in 2007:

July 7, 2007
Obama office burglarized
Posted: 08:34 PM ET
Senator Barack Obama, D-Illinois
DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — The Davenport campaign headquarters for Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., was burglarized Friday night.

Tommy Vietor, a spokesman for the Obama campaign, said two laptop computers and some campaign literature were taken. A campaign worker discovered the burglary Saturday morning, and a report was filed with Davenport police.

"It doesn't appear that it was anything sensitive or irreplaceable," Vietor said.

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2007/07/07/obama-office-burglarized/

[mod mom]

33. So was Dodd's:

August 26, 2007
Dodd's office burglarized
Posted: 06:59 PM ET
HARTFORD, Connecticut (AP) — A spokeswoman for U.S. Senator Chris Dodd says someone broke into his Hartford office last night.

Jamie Radice says she's not sure what was taken and a police investigation is underway. She said the senator's office would have no further comment.

Police say the suspects apparently broke in through a second floor window at Dodd's office on Lewis Street and left evidence at the scene. Police are not saying what that evidence is or what was
stolen.

Authorities believe the burglary happened between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. last night.

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2007/08/26/dodds-office-burglarized/

[Bake]

37. Obamans blaming Hillary in 5 ... 4 ...3 ...

Bake

[AllentownJake]

42. Hey

I knew about this for 2 days and never posted it for that reason. Give us some credit.

I also told people there was nothing to confirm that.

[noel711]

49. I concur: that area on Linden street is pretty... urban...

businesses, parking lots, the office is street level,
and I daresay, the security could be tighter...

Once night falls in center city Allentown, most folks are off the streets
except for the main thoroughfares (Hamilton Boulevard
and Tilghman street)... when I drive home from my church office
and go thru that area, its pretty.. desolate..

Please keep yourselves safe too!

(sorry about the comments about loose security, guys, I know, you want the people
to feel that the campaign has accessibility)... But.. !

[TheWraith]

52. This, of course, after the Hillary people were blaming the Obama campaign for their office fire.

So, if the Clinton campaign suffers a fire, it's Obama's fault.

And if the Obama campaign suffers a break-in, it's Obama's fault.

Nice to see you've got consistency.

[Bake]

79. Blow me. I never accused anyone of the Clinton office fire.

Prove I did, asshole. Link to a single post, JUST ONE, where I said Obama's people did it.

Oh. You can't.

How's that for consistency?

Bake

[BeyondGeography]

50. BurgleGate

Because it has been three whole days since FingerGate, an unusual gateless stretch for this campaign.

[dailykoff]

53. Gee that sounds awfully familiar.

I'm sure any similarity to the Kerry campaign office burglaries in 2004 is PURELY coincidental.

[Exilednight]

54. Before I blame Hillary: did anyone check to see if Nixon was still in his grave? n/t

[whistler162]

62. Hmmmm.. where is G. Gordon.....

these days!

[blogslut]

56. I suppose it could just be an average burglary

Still, not good, regardless.

[AnnieBW]

58. Just some two-bit plumbers

Nothing to see here. Move along. :sarcasm:

[BlooInBloo]

59. Nobody better spout off claiming it was Clinton without solid evidence.

[EFerrari]

61. Republicanism wasn't good enough, they're resorting to terrorism.

I dare anyone exhort me to vote for their "gal". :grr:

[BlooInBloo]

63. Your evidence for it being Clinton is exactly *what* again?

EDIT: BlooInBloo strongly suspects he's in a he-fought-the-mob-and-the-mob-won situation. lol

[EFerrari]

65. It's all right. It's just that these things seem to never to turn out to be

random teenagers. What would random teenagers want with these items? They're all out looking for drugs and to get laid.

lol

[BlooInBloo]

66. Yup - looking to get laid.... demographic information... HELLO???

If only I had been that saavy. :(

[EFerrari]

71. Me, too, but the thing is, there's a reason why cops always look at

people close to you first. We're most likely to get hurt by someone we know.

I hope this turns out to be just some gang working the neighborhood. That's would be the best outcome. We don't need any more icing on this cake.

[BlooInBloo]

72. I recognize perfectly well the impulse to blame Clinton. I remember it well from...

... the Lieberman Lamont-ran-a-denial-of-service-attack-on-my-website debacle.

No matter how reasonable the thought is evidence-free accusations look shitty, and will likely result in Clinton supporters claiming that Obama people stole their own shit, just to blame Clinton's people. Who can blame them, since apparently WE don't require evidence?


EDIT: Maybe one day I'll proofread before submitting, but that day is not today.

[EFerrari]

74. Oh, you're right about that. That's the easy thing to do.

But, it's also the sort of reasonable assumption as this cr@p generally turns out not to be done by strangers.

[BlooInBloo]

77. This is a touchy situation that could turn out very badly for Obama in the worst case...

... The way to mitigate against that is to not make any accusations without solid evidence.

[SoCalDem]

64. When will these offices learn?

Laptops are PORTABLE..so are cellphones..

TAKE THEM HOME WITH YOU..AND BRING THEM TO WORK EACH DAY..

If crooks want to come in at night and steal the Bic pens & paperclips,let them..

There is no reason why laptops & phones should be AVAILABLE to be stolen..

[EFerrari]

69. I sort of agree but it's a slippery slope.

"Why did you leave your women out?"

Maybe we should just expect this stuff at this point. :shrug:

[SoCalDem]

70. At the very least, the bosses could box them up and take them home

if they don't trust the staffers..but I am very tired of hearing about laptops being stolen from desks :)

[BlooInBloo]

75. Of course people taking them home raise a host of different security issues....

... But thankfully that's not the only alternative.