November 6, 2008
Posted: November 6th, 2008 03:09 PM ET

From ,
Computers at the headquarters of the Obama and McCain campaigns were hacked CNN confirms.
Computers at the headquarters of the Obama and McCain campaigns were hacked CNN confirms.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – Computers at the headquarters of the Barack Obama and John McCain campaigns were hacked in mid-summer by a foreign government or organization, a source with knowledge of the incidents confirms to CNN.

Another source, a law enforcement official familiar with the investigation, says federal investigators approached both campaigns with information the U.S. government had about the hacking, and the campaigns then hired private companies to mitigate the problem.

U.S. authorities, according to one of the sources, believe they know who the foreign entity responsible for the hacking is, but refused to identify it in any way, including what country.

The source, confirming the attacks that were first reported by Newsweek, said the sophisticated intrusions appeared aimed at gaining information about the evolution of policy positions in order to gain leverage in future dealings with whoever was elected.

The FBI is investigating, one of the sources confirmed to CNN. The FBI and Secret Service refused comment on the incidents.

The sources refused to speak on the record due to the ongoing investigation and also because it is a sensitive matter involving presidential politics.

As described by a Newsweek reporter with special access while working on a post-campaign special, workers in Obama headquarters first detected what they thought was a computer virus that was trying to obtain personal information of users.

The next day, agents from the FBI and Secret Service came to the office and said, "You have a problem way bigger than what you understand... you have been compromised, and a serious amount of files have been loaded off your system."

One of the sources told CNN the hacking into the McCain campaign computers occurred around the same time as the breach into those of Obama's campaign.

Representatives of the campaigns could not be reached for comment on the matter.

Filed under: Barack Obama • John McCain


Lieberman pondering ‘options’ after Reid meeting | Free Wallpapers - Wallpapers-e.com   August 3rd, 2009 1:45 pm ET

[...] and contribute to the Cafferty File discussion click here Filed under: The Cafferty File Permalink Computers of Obama, McCain campaigns hacked Posted: 03:09 PM ET From CNN Correspondent Brian Todd, CNN Senior Producer Kevin [...]

Proud Military Wife   November 6th, 2008 8:13 pm ET

To Janet: Could you please explain your statement how Obama is going to keep us safe from terrorists since you have so eloquently stated that "he don't play when it comes to getting on his nerves or bad side?" Additionally, I am intrigued as to how "he will protect us from the hackers" since probably the Patriot Act will be shreaded to bits or used to train the new family dog. As to "that the foreign country will be nice to us from now on and stop the madness" to which country are you referring? Canada? France? Mexico? Russia? India?

If you believe that the world is a nice place and that "everyone" will live together in peace, holding hands singing in harmony just ask the three thousand plus people who died on 9/11. The world is not a nice place and there are people who do not like us for the reason of simply being Americans, regardless of who occupies the White House. Obama will find out sooner or later that being President of the USA is not an easy job.

Josh   November 6th, 2008 8:07 pm ET

I think China did it, they've been hacking into DoD systems for years, and if we aren't careful could completely the entire US American government over the Internet. The new red button should be a switch to turn off all foreign internet connections.

Te   November 6th, 2008 8:05 pm ET

Gov. Palin calling from her Alaska office is still insisting that the signs in the sun, the moons, and the stars should be imminent.

She really believes the election is not over.

Jessica from Michigan   November 6th, 2008 8:04 pm ET

Here's a good one.

A rancher cut his hand severely, and visited the local doctor. As he was stitching up his hand the doctor asked, "so, what do you think of Sarah Palin?"

The rancher responded, "I think she's a post turtle?"

"What's a post turtle?", replied the doctor.

"Well, you know, when you're driving down a country road, and see, perched on top of a fence post, a turtle. You think to yourself, knowing the turtle didn't get up there by itself, 'who's the idiot that put that turtle up there?' and 'why on earth would they do that to that poor turtle?" and you know that the turtle does not know what to do atop that post, and has no idea how to get down,"

Well, ends up, the turtle got shot down by two boys with bb guns!

McCain put that turtle up there!

Jessica from Michigan   November 6th, 2008 8:04 pm ET

Here's a good one.

A rancher cut his hand severely, and visited the local doctor. As he was stitching up his hand the doctor asked, "so, what do you think of Sarah Palin?"

The rancher responded, "I think she's a post turtle?"

"What's a post turtle?", replied the doctor.

"Well, you know, when you're driving down a country road, and see, perched on top of a fence post, a turtle. You think to yourself, knowing the turtle didn't get up there by itself, 'who's the idiot that put that turtle up there?' and 'why on earth would they do that to that poor turtle?" and you know that the turtle does not know what to do atop that post, and has no idea how to get down,"

Well, ends up, the turtle got shot down by two boys with bb guns!

McCain pu

Jessica from Michigan   November 6th, 2008 7:53 pm ET

UUUmmm! Tim, Bush is still in charge, last I checked.

sandee in Portland   November 6th, 2008 7:53 pm ET

I have never seen so many words misspelled by so many people that continuously put down other people's thoughts as stupid. If all those people are as smart as they think they are, why can't they spell better or put together a more cohesive sentence.

Jessica from Michigan   November 6th, 2008 7:50 pm ET

Hey! What about Joe the Plumber? What does he think about this?

Griff   November 6th, 2008 7:44 pm ET

President! Means now?:?????? Mr Lou Dobbs...... Borack Obama is History....... Where the hell did you go to School?....
America is History! Don't listen to me..... You!!!!! You allowed this trash to happen.... God Bless, Mr Cafferty, and Mr Blitzer! Mr 360???? Mr Lou Dobbs..... America Bon Voyage!!!!! You still live in the 1776's

I'll see your ten bucks   November 6th, 2008 7:30 pm ET

and raise you 10 more it was Israel....betcha

Its an ally .....or the name of the nation would be released.

Its an ally that has a large and influential population here in the US.

Betcha Betcha Betcha : p

I'll see your ten bucks   November 6th, 2008 7:29 pm ET

and raise you 10 more it was Israel....betcha

Its an ally .....or the name of the nation would be released.

Its an ally that has a large ad influential population here in the US.

Betcha Betcha Betcha : p

Rave   November 6th, 2008 7:27 pm ET

Hey, when did Palin learn to hack into computers.
Her running mate couldn't use a computer.. so it has to be her.

anna from annapolis   November 6th, 2008 7:24 pm ET

I would bet the foreign entity is Israel which has caught spying on us in the past.

felicia   November 6th, 2008 7:22 pm ET

Here it is , all non AA is anti-AA if you was born to a AA man and woman your AA. I don't care who you are asian, white, germans, who ever, all of you people think your better then AA. But let me tell you, your not we are the epitomy of america were the ones who built it with blood sweat and tears. We've earned President Obama's historical win. So will everyone else who is not AA take a seat, sit down and shut up! You are all fake remember what the Ojay's sanged (THEY SMILE IN YOUR FACE, ALL THE TIME THEY WANT TO TAKE YOUR PLACE THEM BACKSTABBERS.

Jeff Brown   November 6th, 2008 7:22 pm ET

Israel?

Jonathan M.   November 6th, 2008 7:16 pm ET

I think it was Canada. Seriously, what are they doing with that CN Tower....suspicious much?

Texas Teacher   November 6th, 2008 7:08 pm ET

Watergate 2008? McCain lost, so someone had to cover their BUTTS.

Jose A Rodriguez Lugo   November 6th, 2008 7:06 pm ET

I appears to me that whoever is modersating this "ploitical Ticker Blog" doesn't like to allow my comments to go thru. I have written several and they have all been rejected. (mind you in Political Ticker). Is it because of my surname? I would hope not. However, wherever I go I'll be sure to inform everyone that I know that this appears to be the case. I'll take my business elasewhere.

Texas Teacher   November 6th, 2008 7:04 pm ET

"U.S. authorities, according to one of the sources, believe they know who the foreign entity responsible for the hacking is, but refused to identify it in any way, including what country."

Come on, Republicans! Some other foreicn entity? Really... ? McCain and Camp with the complete approval and support of the Bush administration! Seriously....

John Q. Cynic   November 6th, 2008 6:36 pm ET

The international spy network, believes one of the two presidential candidates had the special recipe, that makes up the American secret meat aka SPAM.

HouseDiva   November 6th, 2008 6:33 pm ET

sounds like something china, Russia, or Israel would do...maybe even CIA black operatives could have done it.

I Know . . .   November 6th, 2008 6:31 pm ET

It was the Church Lady ( Now isn't that special.)

No, no, it was Joe the Plumber. (Flush)

Noooo, it was the Dalai Lama. (Ommm)

No – it was McCain himself. He only claimed to be computer illiterate to throw us off. (That's all folks)

LOL!

We will probably never know for security reasons. Next story.

David Evan   November 6th, 2008 6:29 pm ET

It was the Dutch. Get Goldmember.

I Know, I Know . . .   November 6th, 2008 6:14 pm ET

It was the Church Lady ( Now isn't that special.)

No, no, it was Joe the Plumber. (Flush)

Noooo, it was the Dalai Lama. (Ommm)

No – it was McCain himself. He only claimed to be computer illiterate to throw us off. (That's all folks)

LOL!

We will probably never know for security reasons. Next story.

jonathan   November 6th, 2008 6:12 pm ET

My money is on Israel. Let's cut off their aid. They do not need it.

Just me   November 6th, 2008 6:10 pm ET

Just ask Mossad!

revoltop   November 6th, 2008 6:07 pm ET

It was Israel anyone else would have been named.

Israel sunk the USS LIBERTY on purpose and we did nothing.

Israel is a country of 7-8 million people and yet gets more foreign aid then any other country, this is not including the military aid the free grants and all the other fun stuff Israel extracts from USA.

Who is Jonathan Jay Pollard ?

So why does every President have to publicly state his policy on Israel? And not the normal politician way with vagaries and loopholes?

The sad sad fact is that I can go on and on about the rare rare treatment of Israel at the expense of American Interest and will only find myself in the end alone in my concern's as of yet no administration will even address these oddities.

linda from South Dakota   November 6th, 2008 6:05 pm ET

i find this hard to believe that someone could "hack" into a highly secure goverment internet,,,, seems they better tighten up their security a bit more,,,, and i hear they know who they are and will "get em",,, sad people have to do things like this, but with tecnolgy like it is,, it happens,,,, go obama go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

just me   November 6th, 2008 6:04 pm ET

Just ask Mossad!
Remember when?
Mossad HACK German White House Server; Remotely Authorize, Steal & Reprogram/Launch Nuke Cruise Missile to Syria?

Jackie in Dallas   November 6th, 2008 6:03 pm ET

By the way, Samuel, it is motive, not motif. A motif is an element of a design, such as a rose or ivy leaf, repeated over and over. A motive is a reason for doing something.

Nick the Photographer   November 6th, 2008 6:02 pm ET

Well at least we know what Biden was talking about so cryptically! If it were Iraq, Russia, or Iran, we would know about it, because it would bolster or disdain for them. My guess is Israel. Wanting to make sure they still had a "friend" in the next US Pres.

GARY   November 6th, 2008 5:47 pm ET

THE WHOLE ELECTION WAS BOUGHT AND FRAUD.

Jackie in Dallas   November 6th, 2008 5:43 pm ET

I think you guys are missing an obvious suspect in either India or Pakistan. Both have a lot of technical sophistication...after all, that's where most American high-tech jobs got outsourced to. And both, but particularly Pakistan, have good reasons to be searching for possible policy information.

We shouldn't overlook that this could just as easily been an inside job from somewhere here in the states, just routed through enough international servers and IP addresses that the exact location cannot be easily pinned down.

This type of hacking takes a lot of know-how and sophistication, but the odds are pretty good that it is a country with which we are "allied," which is the reason that the FBI is not specifying a country of origin. It doesn't have to be a national entity doing it, either. It could just as likely be a corporate entity.

Ruel Strachan   November 6th, 2008 5:42 pm ET

This may not be pertaining to the topic but Wherever he is i want Senator McCain to hear this. My heart goes out to you senator McCain for that concession speech. You showed that being a grateful loser isn't a hard thing and Sir your speech really touched me. It is my prayer that you continue to press on in your endeveurs and continue to be a great american. God bless you and america

Rike   November 6th, 2008 5:42 pm ET

China, they also hacked the German government.

Rave   November 6th, 2008 5:37 pm ET

Who was it? Who was it?
Is it Palin's husband.. the Great Alaska Independence Party Leader
Or is it Joe the Scum_bag

michael   November 6th, 2008 5:34 pm ET

Tim, if you do not spend at least a little time finding ou the reasons for market ups and downs, you have no business keeping your money there. Took me about 2 seconds to find this headline, sure there are hundreds of others:

"Stocks have taken another beating, wiping out recent gains. The declines followed a bad report on retail sales and poor earnings reports. The Dow Jones industrial average closed down more than 400 points." NPR/All things considered.

nov 6th   November 6th, 2008 5:28 pm ET

--we the people have the Right to know who did this???

-–why the FBI is hidding the name of the country???

--thats puzzling to me.

Joe in NJ   November 6th, 2008 5:27 pm ET

I'm surprised at how many people are blaming Israel and a lot of these remarks are bordering on anti-semitism. Maybe the reason they're not saying what country did the hacking is because they don't know. It's not as easy to trace someone on the Internet if you know how to cover your tracks.

El Mugroso   November 6th, 2008 5:17 pm ET

It can not be discarded that it was the Bush administration riding the abusive "Patriot" Act which extends the Bush Administration to do violate the right to privacy of citizens. Else, HOW did the FBI "know" about it? THAT should be investigated. But, by WHOM??

Deborah Black   November 6th, 2008 5:14 pm ET

I don't know about all that. I do know that I am in withdrawal. Every day for the past several months, "what can I do to help Barack today?" was on my mind. Computers and the internet were a big part of that ability to be involved. I hope that he will have similar access while he is president. We were willing to about anything to help him win and we will be ready to do about anything he asks to help him govern and fix our nation's problems.

Greed is not good   November 6th, 2008 5:14 pm ET

Yes must have been one of McCain's "ex" foreign national lobbyists...wonder who that could have been?

Judge Crater   November 6th, 2008 5:12 pm ET

Glad to see the anti-Semites are out and about today blaming Israel.

Israel does not need to hack campaign computers. And it would not take such adverse action against the US.

Danoinmo   November 6th, 2008 5:10 pm ET

Dont you people have anythng better to do? I liked the linux suggestion though.

Gary   November 6th, 2008 5:08 pm ET

When they broke into McCains computer they found Pong and Space Invaders.

mitch   November 6th, 2008 5:03 pm ET

it was probably one of mccain's own foreign lobbyists that did it.

Roll in MN   November 6th, 2008 5:01 pm ET

I love all the "It was ___ who did it!" comments. We are being given no information, outside of the fact that it was done. That being said, how many dozens of nations, hundreds of organizations, and hundreds of thousands of people do you think would like to get their hands on this kind of info?

Steve   November 6th, 2008 5:00 pm ET

Hey Neveragain.

Isn't that 180 degrees from what the majority of Obama's constituents want. I thought one of the big selling points of Obama is his knack for dialouge as opposed to "making people pay".

Tired of the Nonsense   November 6th, 2008 4:58 pm ET

Tim –

learn how to spell.

and don't hate – congratulate!

Obama/Biden08/12

Bridgette-PA   November 6th, 2008 4:56 pm ET

"TIM" – STOP BASHING PEOPLE ON THE BLOG WHEN YOU CLEARLY CAN'T SPELL......OMG! GET LOST!

Justin   November 6th, 2008 4:55 pm ET

I say RBG, the Russian Business Group. They hacked the Georgian computers to help create a news blackout...

Average Joe   November 6th, 2008 4:53 pm ET

#1 Obama Supporter....what does Hake mean? You are making fun of how dumb Palin is and you can't even spell.... I hope you are not representing all of the Obama followers.

Why don't you go pray to god/allah or whomever Obama prays to that he finds a solution to the Economic Crisis.

EMT   November 6th, 2008 4:52 pm ET

They couldn't have learned much from Obama's computers- he's already told the whole world who he's going to bomb and who he's going to wave the white flag at.

Matt   November 6th, 2008 4:50 pm ET

Israel did it. They're terrified Obama is going to rein in their occupationist nonsense and force them to live peacefully beside their neighbors...not to mention give voting rights to all the Palestinians they treat like non-humans...maybe even help give the Palestinian people their own homeland to govern like they should have. Grow up Israel. Stick to occupying Florida and leave the West Bank alone.

j   November 6th, 2008 4:50 pm ET

ISRAEL.

Israel is capable of this and has done similar things in the past. Plus, why would the U.S. not release who – when it's the U.S.'s "#1" ally, that's why.

shom, sugar land, tx   November 6th, 2008 4:49 pm ET

to tim,
OBAMA is not a computer illeterate. and your right! it really doesn't matter for mccain because he probably never owned a computer! does mccain even know what a computer is?
ha ha ha!

Janet   November 6th, 2008 4:48 pm ET

I am glad we have Obama because he don't play when it comes to getting on his nerves or bad side. He will protect us from the hackers. And I do believe that the foreign country will be nice to us from now on and stop the madness.

V. Clausewitz   November 6th, 2008 4:46 pm ET

It was Bill Ayers....recruiting allies and selecting targets.

Sgt C USMC   November 6th, 2008 4:44 pm ET

Why oh why are people insistent on putting confidential/private information on computers attached to public networks ?

Yeah, I know..NSA & DOD guidelines are bothersome, but the consequences of ignoring them could be much MUCH worse.

# 1 Obama Supporter!!!!   November 6th, 2008 4:43 pm ET

I hope they didnt hake into Palin's email, or they would of been rooting for McCain, they would just love to have someone as DuMB as her be in the white house!

ednadavid   November 6th, 2008 4:43 pm ET

What about the Al Qaeda, or other middle eastern entities like Saudi Arablia, et al??

bleaders1   November 6th, 2008 4:42 pm ET

The hackers are from China. The Chinese see Obama as a nationalist and are scared their days as US funded superpower are over.

Chris   November 6th, 2008 4:40 pm ET

Tim – Being that you can't even spell illiterate I think you have no room to talk. Also to Mike, it's my understanding that the Obama campaign's servers are indeed running Linux, not Windows.

Never again!   November 6th, 2008 4:40 pm ET

This is just one thing that Bush had up his sleeve to suprise the next President with! But since Obama carries a smooth demeanor, WHEN HE GETS MAD, HE WILL SHAKE THE COUNTRY!!! i feel safe with that! anyone who dares to test us, will pay!!!

Farrell, Houston, Tx   November 6th, 2008 4:39 pm ET

Sounds to me like someone in the FBI is looking at a job with Obama if this is true.

Mickie   November 6th, 2008 4:37 pm ET

I didn't know McCain had computers since he used cue cards instead of a teleprompter. In the age of computers, nothing is safe from prying eyes.

young and informed independant   November 6th, 2008 4:37 pm ET

i agree that it was Israel, they are not too happy that Obama is not drinking their KOOL-AID and wants to have diplomacy.
wake up america Israel uses us daily and can not wait for us and Iran to go after each other so their own religion and country can come out on top.
Israel is a hateful hateful country.
after what Hitler did to the Jews you would think a country who went through a holocaust they would have more respect for other religions.
Israelis are nothing but hypocritical hateful pushy bullies and we as a nation need to remember George Washington's farewell speech WARNING the nation to not have long relations with foreign allies.

**still awaiting censorship**

Matt   November 6th, 2008 4:37 pm ET

Maybe it was Israel. That's making more and more sense the more I think about it. I mean, think about it: Israel is a country full of racists who think it is ok to occupy the West Bank and displace Palestinians when the West Bank was not part of Israel's originally intended territory. I'm sure they bought the use of Obama's middle name hook line and sinker just liek the racists in our own country.

Samuel   November 6th, 2008 4:37 pm ET

Israel has the technology, the money to do that. The motif , you all know , when it comes to the interests of the the jewish people, the outcome of the US election is always secondary

Matt   November 6th, 2008 4:33 pm ET

Russia is seriously mistaken if it thinks it can thwart the missile defense system. Seroiusly, what are they going to do? Invade Poland? I seem to remember that not turning out too well last time some jerkoff tried it.

It's over? What do I watch now!?   November 6th, 2008 4:28 pm ET

David November 6th, 2008 4:15 pm ET

The FBI should hire Joe the Plumber to find the culprits. After all, the internet is just a series of pipes.

____________________________________________________

WIN!!!!

tiffany   November 6th, 2008 4:27 pm ET

oh yeah, tim. obama's elected president and all a sudden **poof** , the giant mess this country is in is just supposed to magically disappear. what's our current president doing?? he's still in office till january, remember? if mccain had one, the same thing would have happened. the economy is in the tanker, tim. this is something that one day, nor one man, can fix. it's going to take a team. i think it's time we start working together to fix the problem, instead of pointing fingers and laying irrelevant blame. in response to your comment, i say to you: WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TODAY TO FIX THIS PROBLEM?

YourInsanity   November 6th, 2008 4:26 pm ET

If it was Russia they would have screamed about it all over. Same applies in case with Chna, N Kore or Iran. My guess it was Georgia or Ukraine or both. These two are up in the air now... Georgia received $1 billion fro us so far, their president said it was not enough and he needs $9 billions, so he was probably wonderng if any of candidates prepared check for him yet.

Ansom   November 6th, 2008 4:24 pm ET

I have a great feeling it was Israel. I'll bet all my money on it. Then I'll bet my clothing on Russia.

Mike   November 6th, 2008 4:22 pm ET

See what can happen when you use Microsoft Windows? You are so often attacked by viruses that you don't realise when something really, really BIG has happend!

I use Windows for games only. Everything important is done in Linux. OK, i am a pro, it's not as easy for average Joes, but at least the youthful, technology driven Obama-campaign should have had something secure in place to protect vital data.

Big disapointment for me, hope everybody learned their lesson, can't have stuff like this happen from now on (he already gets CIA, NSA etc. briefings).

mrahaman   November 6th, 2008 4:21 pm ET

1st Suspect – Israel
2nd Suspect – Israel
3 rd Suspect – Israel

Reasons:
They have been caught spying recently.
They have the intelligence to do this.
They know that the US govt would only sound a private warning to them.
We all know that if it was Iran, Pakistan, China, Russia or any Arab/Muslim country, they would have been named already.
Israel also knows that even ifthey were caught by either party, neither side would say anything in public, because they would fear lsing teh Jewish vote, especially in Florida.

Barbara in NC   November 6th, 2008 4:21 pm ET

Tim – that's rather an ignorant remark.

W is still in charge. Put it where it's supposed to be.

Obama takes over Jan. 20. 2009

young and informed independant   November 6th, 2008 4:20 pm ET

to BRIAN- LOL.... i bet he called her to see if her kitchen sink needed a new hose.

LMAO

dittohead with forty names   November 6th, 2008 4:20 pm ET

I think It was Israel,they have the best spy system.

Tim   November 6th, 2008 4:18 pm ET

Obama's election has resulted in a stock market crash of more than 10%, and probably going down.

Too bad the smart people aren't in charge.

Tim   November 6th, 2008 4:17 pm ET

Great, Obama is computer illeterate. It doesn't matter about McCain, he's not going to be president.

David   November 6th, 2008 4:15 pm ET

The FBI should hire Joe the Plumber to find the culprits. After all, the internet is just a series of pipes. ;-)

Realistic and Futuristic   November 6th, 2008 4:14 pm ET

It's probably Russia. Yesterday was a sad day for Republicans and an even sadder day for Eastern Europe; BTW, Russia announced its plans yesterday to thwart the missile defense shield for Poland. They announced that as soon as they saw Obama was elected.

Obama's best foreign policy is to wish away war and adversity and to do this with glowing rhetoric. He's a well-intentioned, naive idealist. We're seriously screwed....

Brian from Fort Mill, SC   November 6th, 2008 4:13 pm ET

It was Joe the Plumber! He was looking for Sarah Palin's phone number!

Youngstown, OH   November 6th, 2008 4:13 pm ET

Obviously, it was Canada– trying to see if Obama was serious about pulling out of NAFTA or not.

Richard A. Spomer   November 6th, 2008 4:12 pm ET

Obama got elected to the office of President, and we continue to loose ground on stocks people are not secured they keep selling off stock which it is not a good economy.

Brian from Fort Mill, SC   November 6th, 2008 4:12 pm ET

I didn't know the McCain campaign even HAD computers. They were probably still running Windows 95!

Matt   November 6th, 2008 4:10 pm ET

EVERYBODY DO THE EMBARGO DANCE!!!!!

ST   November 6th, 2008 4:08 pm ET

My money is on China, Russia, or Israel.

alan   November 6th, 2008 4:08 pm ET

china, iran, syria, n. korea

OldDad   November 6th, 2008 4:07 pm ET

Israel already has so many Washington insider tracks that they don't need to take chances of ruining contacts by hacking computers for trivial information.

Brian from Fort Mill, SC   November 6th, 2008 4:07 pm ET

It was the girl that carved a "B" on her face!

Mark, B'ham., Al.   November 6th, 2008 4:07 pm ET

Probably China or the Pakistani's for Al-Quada.

anoymous   November 6th, 2008 4:07 pm ET

if they are going to protect our national security they'd better straighten up quick!

Sally from Cali   November 6th, 2008 4:07 pm ET

Get real. It was the CIA, IRS, RNC, or DNC. What would China or Russia want with a bunch of donor information and campaign strategy.

Worst case scenario, it was identity thieves. Both campaigns have a duty to notify contributors if their information has been compromised.

Brian from Fort Mill, SC   November 6th, 2008 4:06 pm ET

ednadavid November 6th, 2008 3:46 pm ET

Which countries have the sophistication and wherewithal to carry out this type of activity??
---------------–
All of them!

Matt   November 6th, 2008 4:03 pm ET

Anyone else smell an embargo coming? Suck it up whichever foreign government did this...you're going to have a lot to answer to your people for when we stop spending our money on your goods and pull out all our businesses.

Nia Hussein- Phoenix, AZ   November 6th, 2008 4:01 pm ET

I blame Ron Paul

Michael J, Toronto   November 6th, 2008 4:00 pm ET

It was either Russia or China, of the two my money is on China.

DFinFL   November 6th, 2008 4:00 pm ET

My bet is on Israel. That would explain the refusal to name the "entity".

..

OldDad   November 6th, 2008 4:00 pm ET

First guess: China; their economy is going down the toilet, too, and they depend a lot on exports to the US. So, what will the US trade policy be?

Second guess: Russia; only other negative nation with the compute savvy and gall to try this. Other compute savvy nations are our positive friends (sort of).

danny   November 6th, 2008 4:00 pm ET

My money is on Israel. They've been pretty busy in this country, particularly over the past decade.

Proud to be American   November 6th, 2008 3:59 pm ET

Well, well, well and they didn't leak any information? They where better then the McCain camp hehehehehe

LIP   November 6th, 2008 3:58 pm ET

Probably Ahmadinejad hacking away while cajoling with Obama on his victory.
Lets not forget President Carter giving up 55 hostages for 444 days to the Iranians the last time they were slapping us on the back.

Anonymous   November 6th, 2008 3:57 pm ET

That was no good.

Colorado   November 6th, 2008 3:56 pm ET

It was China...

jane in Columbus,ks   November 6th, 2008 3:55 pm ET

If the story has been made public then why not the name of the "foreign entity" behind the hacking?

tally   November 6th, 2008 3:54 pm ET

@ednandavid : You sure are a frog in the well.

Mark, B'ham., Al.   November 6th, 2008 3:54 pm ET

Probably a Bush Hater like the democrats who are pushing for conservatives to approve of their porgressive (European Socialist) agenda. Weak Military, High Taxes, Wasted Spending, and Craddle to Grave Welfare. Sorry but if you want the good life you need to work hard for it. Buffit is right to give all his money away as his relatives can work as hard as he has if that is what he wanted. Be responsible for your actions and if you break the law which is just then you must pay!

Patty in the CA mountains   November 6th, 2008 3:54 pm ET

Seeing as how London "broke" the story of Mr Obama's Aunt and her illegal residence in this country, I would look that direction and narrow in on who had the most to gain.....remember the adage, "Follow the Money"....

Neal   November 6th, 2008 3:53 pm ET

This is bad. I heard John McCain had dozens of pictures of his grandkids as well as a handful of e-cards and "inspirational" forwards from his Bridge club pals stolen. We are lucky he lost...can you imagine what N. Korea could do with that?

Obama/Biden 08!   November 6th, 2008 3:53 pm ET

With the economic melt down and each candidates policies/stratgies being redrawn to acommodate the economic crisis as prioity 1 the information that was hacked is probably worthless by now! Great job idiots!

Stacy from Loudoun County VA   November 6th, 2008 3:52 pm ET

It was Borat! He was in League with Harold and Kumar. They took their orders from Cheech and Chong who are henchmen for the notorious Dr. Evil.

Barnhardt in NC   November 6th, 2008 3:52 pm ET

Ten bucks says its Russia.

DB   November 6th, 2008 3:51 pm ET

Hmmm, high degree of sophistication and a high degree of motivation. I'm thinking Russia, China or Israel.

Russia to see what's going to happen to their neighbors, China to see what's going to happen to their money, and Israel to see what's going to happen to their foreign aid.

N. S. Huntsville, Al   November 6th, 2008 3:51 pm ET

The next day, agents from the FBI and Secret Service came to the office and said, "You have a problem way bigger than what you understand… you have been compromised, and a serious amount of files have been loaded off your system."

NOT BUYING IT. THE FBI PROBABLY DID THIS BECAUSE THEY WANTED TO FIND OUT ABOUT OBAMA.

N. S. Huntsville, Al   November 6th, 2008 3:50 pm ET

CNN THIS OLD NEWS YOU GUYS ARE ALWAYS TWO DAYS LATE

Boise, ID   November 6th, 2008 3:49 pm ET

Religion is the root of all evil.

ednadavid   November 6th, 2008 3:46 pm ET

Which countries have the sophistication and wherewithal to carry out this type of activity??

JDC   November 6th, 2008 3:45 pm ET

BOTH campaigns were so stupid, I doubt much was learned.

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