Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Bill, PieHole, WY — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:18:03 GMT

Nice to end this story with a quote calling Obama a liar. Who keeps all their college papers? I doubt I have even one of mine. This is a non-story.

Soon Sean Hannity or Glen Beck will be calling this "Paper-gate." Stop wasting our time. There's plenty of substance out there to cover.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Mark Wilson, Antelope, CA — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:23:00 GMT

It sounds like Mr. Bossie needs to find another hobby.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

John Doe Seattle, Washington — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:24:19 GMT

Another example of why many people do not trust Barack H. Obama.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

A. Hafner — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:26:04 GMT

If I were pressed to come up with a paper that I wrote in college, I might be able to, with some effort. However, I would only be able to locate it at all because I have them all saved on various floppy disks, CDs, jump drives, etc. Mr. Obama's paper was composed in 1983. I highly doubt that he ever had an electronic copy of it. Papers get lost easily...too easily in my case, so to call Obama a liar for his inability to produce a paper that he wrote 25 years ago is ridiculous. If the paper can't be found, then he must have something to hide?? Is that the logic? Keep looking for your character assassination ammunition...this just makes you look desparate, conservatives.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Pam, madison, wi — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:27:00 GMT

This is ridiculous, and I would offer that people like David Bossie have way too much time on their hands. Tempest. In a. Teapot.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Andrew, St. Paul MN — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:27:06 GMT

Oh please, this is just sickening. The lengths the right wing will go to try and make a non-issue into an issue is ridiculous. Why hasn't McCain released his military records to the public? Perhaps he must be hiding his involvement in the deaths of 134 sailors during the USS Forrestal incident! He was known to be a hot dog pilot crashing 4 military jets during his career after all! By McCain not releasing his entire Naval records is proof that he is covering up something!

Of course, to liken the responsibility of the USS Forrestal incident to McCain is just as ridiculous as trying to say that Obama is hiding something by losing a paper from one of his senior classes. Give me a break guys, you right wingers sink to even lower lows every single day.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

jane doe, britt, iowa — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:27:08 GMT

Is the missing thesis issue a surprise? Barrack "the flip-flopper" Obama again says something he can't back up and the media won't address his inconsistencies on policies. You can't trust what he says now, you can't trust him in office.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Tony — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:29:26 GMT

You have got to be kidding...Borak Obama is 44 years old. You are looking for a paper written over twenty years ago. You actually think that this would damage his run for POTUS. Even if what he wrote is not the same as his position now what does that have to do with the cost of tea in China? Why don't you look into his family tree and see if the White side of his family were slave owners. That way you can say that he is really a undercover member of the KKK? Then this guy David Bossie calls him "a liar" This IMO is the ultimate in "Bottom Feeding" Bush had a DUI, Dodged Service, Abused his powers as POTUS, mocked the situation on wall street, failed to insure the help of residents post Katrina. The best you can do is look for a Thesis paper written when Mr. Obama was a kid???

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

SAGG, Greensboro, NC — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:29:42 GMT

Here we go again. This guy Bossie amuses me. Thing is Obama's (assumed) thesis was about SOVIET nuclear disarmanent, am I correct, as opposed to AMERICAN? I'm sorry, but I don't understand what the problem is. Obama's (assumed) thesis apparently was about what could the Soviets do to disarm their nuclear missles, not what the Americans could do to disarm their's. Is this some sort of effort to somehow claim Obama's a closet socialist, or something?? What a joke...

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

G.L. Redmond, WA — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:29:48 GMT

Doesn't it reek of desperation that they need to find any sort of 'dirt' on Barack Obama that they're resorting to critiquing his senior thesis? Why didn't anyone look at Bush's senior thesis or doesn't try to look at McCain's senior thesis? Democrats are held to higher academic standards than their Republican counterparts?

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Kenneth Pittsburgh Pa — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:30:15 GMT

I have no idea where mine is either

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Indianapolis, IN — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:30:41 GMT

This is a witch hunt with no witch in site.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

jl,cs,co — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:30:42 GMT

Is this kindof like the files that the Clintons lost a few years ago. These Harvard and Yale graduats seem to be very smart people with short memories.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Tony C. SA TX — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:32:34 GMT

A LIAR!? Is Bossie an idiot? I am 51, I was in college until I was 24, a 4.0 student, and even 10 years after that I did not have a stick of my college writing. Why would I save it? So I can re-read my brilliant, naive prose?

Heck, I went looking for a business plan I wrote just six years ago and it is nowhere to be found; I think I threw it into the shred pile the last time I cleaned out the file cabinets in my office. And just as well, because relying upon those old assumptions and figures and experience is more danger than the convenience is worth; better to start from scratch and know everything is up to date. What goes for me goes for Obama. Why rely on even a brilliant 21 year old when you can rely on the same brain with 25 years more experience?

What does Bossie think, Obama has it on an old floppy disk somewhere? How ridiculous. This is the problem with partisan hacks, they can't see how stupid they look.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

jawillie, Philadelphia, PA. — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:34:19 GMT

More desparation from the reich-wing conservative republicans, now that their hopes for a major international Obama gaffe seem to be dashed. Now they're going to look for a possibly non-existent paper just so they can dig up dirt. They should focus on giving their own candidate a message rather than trying to tarnish Obama's.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Jake Axminster, Salt Lake City, UT — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:35:55 GMT

The right-wing nut jobs are at it again. Why don't they check for MCcain's thesis. Oh that's right they did not have paper to write on back then. The country need to come together a s a whole and not be divided by these hate mongers on the right. I love this country with all my heart but the Republican party has trashed the constitution, since the Bush administration took office and it does not matter what Barack wrote in a thesis over 20 years ago. What matters is getting our country back on the right track and out of the hands of these right-wing lunatics. My vote will definitely be for change and someone that will tell the American people the truth. If I had my way the entire Bush administration would be behind bars.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Julie Sheridan, Baltimore,MD — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:36:23 GMT

get a life popkin! I don't see how reading his senior thesis is going to pay my bills. There are more pressing issues than a "missing Thesis"!

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Gary Evans — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:37:00 GMT

Much like Obama's brains-MISSING.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Anita Anthony — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:38:39 GMT

You really need to stop with all the negative attacks on this man. Why don't you look in your own mirrors and search for McCain's papers. Was he an "A" student or was he just average? Maybe you should ask him or will he forget those answers too? You are really being silly now. These silly attacks only tell us that you the republicans are getting scared and reaching for anything. That's sad. Really sad. What about the economy and that we have American children living in homeless shelters and going without food while you spend all this money looking for dirt. Discuss some real issues. Or is this it, you don't want to change the country. You don't really care that poverty is up. Give me a break.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Lucy Abrams,Towson,MD — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:43:13 GMT

If someone doesn't get on this topic and others concerning his license for the bar,state senate records,certificate of live birth and his Kenyan citizenship,we as a nation are in a heap of trouble.
He needs to come clean about his background,ESPECIALLY about his past cocaine use.
The security of OUR NATION is at stake.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Keisha marshall — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:43:42 GMT

Get over yourselves. You can't let it go! What will it solve? Leave Obama alone and find your own thesis paper. Did you ever right one? Trash & Trifling@

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

mike — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:43:47 GMT

who keeps those things? Undergraduate papers 25 years old, come on try some other angle. Grad school, Law school, Social work and then politics. What size building would you need to keep all that paper? However, lets say we found it and it had some strange even contradictory statements, so what. Doesn't life's experiences serve to evolve our opinions, positions and perceptions of the world around us. As humans we rose to the to of the food chain by adapting and adopting; that is changing and embracing new ideas and environments as the need arose. Those that did not we continue to excavate.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Edna, NC — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:43:59 GMT

Get over it Davey. Why is Obama’s senior papers so important when prior candidates changed parties as well as sealed & copyrighted their thesis to prevent it from being read and the issue “Never” hit the media. We are looking for “Change” not what occurred 25 years ago. Get a life!!!

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Gary Evans — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:44:25 GMT

You people at NBC & MSNBC are so obviously politically biased against John McCain it is becoming a joke! The American people are waking up to this reality. We will speak at the poles.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

R. A. Gienapp Detroit, Michigan — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:45:00 GMT

Man, they are really desperate!

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Tex Mex — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:45:02 GMT

If Bossie is so admant about calling someone a liar because of some paper 25 years ago than he should dig a little deeper and find McCains thesis before the "ARK". Oh the flood destroyed it.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Y& W Harris, PA — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:45:59 GMT

This sounds like a classic case of academic envy. In any job a graduate of Columbia University and harvard law School would certainly outrank someone who graduated in the bottom 1% of his naval academy class as did McCain. Is there any ongoing serach for the nearly 600 pages of McCain's military record that has never been released?

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

KENNY, SARASOTA, FL — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:46:05 GMT

THE DESPERATION OF THE RIGHT-WING "HIT-MEN" IS PATHETIC. THEY ARE SIMPLY SCARED TO DEATH OF THE LANDSLIDE VICTORY FOR OBAMA THEY SEE COMING. MCSAME CANT BEAT THIS GUT EVEN WITH ALL THE DIRTY TRICKS THEY HAVE USED AND THE ONES YET TO COME.
I GRADUATED COLLEGE IN 2000, AND DONT HAVE ANY OF THE PAPERS I WROTE.

PRESIDENT OBAMA. NICE RING TO IT!!

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Erik, Omaha, NE — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:47:28 GMT

It might be entertaining to have this paper, but really don't we know all we need to about the Senator? Based on his (limited record) and that he espouses Socialist programs and solutions for every 'problem' real and imagined. It would be no shock to learn he was wrong-headed 25yrs ago too.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Bobby, Denver, CO — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:47:38 GMT

Why would someone keep a paper they wrote for a class for 25 years? Hell, I threw all my graduate school papers after I wrote them. This paper is nothing like Bush's draft dodging records going AWOL :)

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Joe Altschule Visalia, CA — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:49:01 GMT

Good grief, is there no end to the desperation of the nut job right wing? Will they next go through his garbage looking for clues of seditious behavior? Or how about searching through his old high school yearbooks for hidden submilinal messages showing his terrorist leanings?
These guys should get some game or just go away!

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Paul, San Antonio, TX — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:49:03 GMT

WHERE IS OBAMA'S MISSING BIRTH CERTIFICATE, THE ONE HE POSTS ON HIS WEB SITE IS AN OBVIOUS PHONEY.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

grskypilote@copper.net — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:49:03 GMT

Bossie is a fool's fool! Marjorie Pilote of Caldwell Idaho

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

S. Martinez, Albuquerque, NM — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:49:17 GMT

You've got to be kidding me. Bossie says he's a liar because he doesn't have a copy of this paper. Give me a break. I lost just about everything from college and high school when my dad's basement flooded. Who holds onto college papers 20+ years after the fact? I doubt Obama knew he would be running for president when he finished that paper. The conservatives will stop at nothing to smear any Liberal. Besides, what he wrote in a class in 1983 may have absolutely to do with his thinking now. Most people evolve after college.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Bohdan Szejner, Kraków, Poland — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:49:39 GMT

I am not a presidential candidate, but I have written four graduate theses and two independent, in three languages. My English thesis was 989 pages long. On top of it, I have written 2,000 personal letters to world leaders. The documents cost me years of work, and they are too precious to be discarded: they are a window on my dignity as person, and they are part of my life. Although I have travelled with all my stuff around the world and lived in several countries for long periods, every one of my theses lies this moment in front of me, and the copies are at the universities' libtraries where I have studied.And so are the letters. Apparently, Sen. Obama has so many unseemly materials in his closet, that he has found no room for the most important documents of his life!This seems fishy to me!

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Debbie in Phoenix — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:50:17 GMT

Oh my, oh my,I loooooove the smell of GOP/Neocon desperation in the morning. Pathetic, isn't it. Obama's thesis is missing? How about is third grade book report on the Where the Red Fern Grows? If he can't find that will the conservative wing nuts call him a liar as well? Seriously, the Bushie/Rove/Chaney-Satanites just need to take up tantric yoga, stamp collecting or tiddly winks. Their days of running the show are so over. Bye, bye, bye...fly fly away, now... you mangey, flea infested misanthropic cowardly crows...see ya!

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

dagwitan@yahoo.com — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:52:01 GMT

grasping at straws..

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Hoping for a More Relevant Dialogue — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:52:56 GMT

Oh, puhleeeze. I am about Obama's age and definitely could not produce any papers I wrote my senior year in college. I would have to work very hard to remember which classes I even took. Who cares? Another point...my opinions and ideas on topics have changed in 25 years, based on the "continuing education" of life itself. Those that are so obsessed with uncovering this paper obviously have too much time on their hands. Can we please have some grown up discussion of today's issues?

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Chix — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:53:57 GMT

So if you cannot fine the undergrad thesis, why not check out his high school essays, or his Grade school poems, or even his preschool and kindergarten drawings and paintings. It might give you a real good idea, how he was thinking then, and now.

Or even better I suggest David Bossie and the John Mccain "google it"... but ai am not even sure of the outcome since Pop Mccain cannot use the web. he may be lost in the milions of hits an Obama search term would throw up. They can also write one "out of their own sinister imaginations" about what Obama may have said in 1983....in fact it would not surprise me if some Repo guy is not busy "inventing an Obama thesis" and claiming it for the real deal on YouTube. In this day and age, John Mccain can do just about anything to win, even claim he invented the word surge (although he could not properly define it, or accurately describe it).

This is by far the worst and inept campaign I have witnessed in a long time. Filled with corrupt folks only interested in themselves alone. What a sham!!!

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Wellington Johnson, Nashville, Tennessee — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:54:01 GMT

Aw com'n. I don't believe what i just read!Maybe David Bossie, the conservative activist, should look to find McCain senior thesis. Well I doubt it would be worth anything since he graduated 4th from last place in his class. If there is really any dirt to be dug up, How about looking into what happened to McCain's first wife and the way he treated her upon his return to the US. Dig up how it is reported that he committed adultery with Cindy while he was still married to his first wife. Dig up all of the mistakes and lies McCain has been pedalling over the years. In fact, the media needs to begin doing its job and be fair in reporting EVERYTHING about both candidates.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Mary, LIC, NY — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:54:34 GMT

I don't know what he had written on his paper, but I know one thing, people's perspective changes. At leastmy perspective changes each year. There are a lot of people like me. If Obama wrote something that he doesn't like now, then sure he doesn't think in the same way he did at that time. I don't think it is right to judge a man for he though long ago, unless he remains th esame, and thinks in the same way. There are always people who look for trouble, and loves to find dust from a human body.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Robert Campbell, Gloucester, MA — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:55:12 GMT

Please...who of us can plumb the depths of a long-ago written college paper - even one purported to have received an "A". The righties seem to be in despair over this alledged gap in Obama's educational record. Apparently, chasing down obscurity is their No. 1 priority.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Pezoh, St. Louis, Missouri — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:55:50 GMT

Senior thesis? Come on give us a break. For some of us who have spent years and years in the University profession as professors, a senior thesis or term paper at the undergraduate level does not constitute the hallmarks of characteristics that make a professional. Graduate theses probably but definitely not senior thesis. At most the student will work on the document for say one year and that is it. The students themselves are not professionals at anything at that juncture and nothing ever can be held against their opinions, whether controversial or not. There are so many documents that I have come across written by undergraduates that border on the mundane, controversial, downright funny or completely out of this world. Gosh! A university undergraduate is exposed to so many areas by the time they finish their programs that even in their majors they cannot still qualify as leaders other than practitioners. All this nit picking is not going to unearth a mind-blowing revelation. Leave universities in peace, we pride ourselves on the freedom of speech we give to our students.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

H.Mann Aubrey, Texas — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:55:56 GMT

It sounds as though Barack Obama's paper on nuclear negotiations with the Soviet Union would be an interesting read, though hardly relevant to his current political position on the matter. Most certainly his last 25 years of life experience would greatly alter his knowledge and even his opinion on the subject. Conservative media is really working hard to find something negative on Obama, well good luck. He is highly integrous and exceptionally brilliant, the most qualified man to run for public office in many many years.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

DGol, Sacramento, California — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:56:38 GMT

Ridiculous. Did you keep your old college papers?? I sure didn't. And I'm a writer.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

H.Mann Aubrey, Texas — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:58:04 GMT

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

tom madsen, gresham,wi — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:58:36 GMT

Here we go again. The right wing whackos are trying to build on something that isn't there. Even if there was a controversy, remember, it was written twenty-five years ago by a twenty-two year old college senior. I wrote a paper in my senior year of college advocating for the legalization of all drugs. Was I wrong? Sure I was, but at the time (1974) I was a twenty-four year old kid who had not yet faced all the realities of the world. I regret the contents, but I did enjoy sticking it to the "establishment " back then. I doubt Sen. Obama's senior paper was that controversial to begin with, but if he did write some rather "controversial" ideas, please, consider the source. To the mainstream media (the right wing media will, as usual, pay no attention), please don't make something out of the possible ramblings of a twenty-two year old youth.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

steve mccallum tigard oregon — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:59:32 GMT

obama is a clever liar.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Frank Gonzales, Willits, CA — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:59:43 GMT

Who really gives a damn what henchman David Bossie thinks?

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Annette, Henderson NC — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:00:12 GMT

I think that this is so sad, when you have to start looking for people's college writings just to win an election. If the Republicans were offering the American people something other than what we got with Mr. Bush, they would not have to be searching for a college paper. Come on people, is Mr. Bossie aware of how stupid he looks. It is really sad and depressing.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Kathy Moore, St. Louis, MO — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:00:14 GMT

What's the big deal? Who cares? This was 25 years ago. It is not relevant today. We all learn life lessons as we grow older. What the man stands for today is what is important. If he stopped his inquisitive mind search with his senior paper 25 years ago, I definitely would not vote for him. And, as I recall, my papers were always guided by what would earn an "A" and not necessarily what I would write if I was not under pressure to earn a grade or please a professor.

How about using this time and energy to go after and report news that matters, where you can make a difference instead of digging up dirt that is 25 years old that is irrelevant!

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Jenny J — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:02:47 GMT

As usual Obama is full if it. Every senior thesis is kept filed in the Columbia University Library.
One has to wonder what he's hiding this time.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Robert Bock, Redlands, CA — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:06:07 GMT

As a college graduate who also wrote a senior thesis, I strongly feel that this "hunt" for a paper is ridiculous. I regularly wrote 20- to 25-page papers for classes, and each was a way of synthesizing the information from the class. Even if something I wrote was controversial, and demonstrated some controversial feelings I had at the time, it would mean very little about who I am now. I was barely an adult, and had a lot to learn about life. David Bossie sounds like a junior high gossip girl, or at best a clever salesman pandering to such people. What worthless garbage.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Lance, Memphis, TN — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:07:08 GMT

Is trying to find a thesis that may give indication of Obama's thinking any worse than the Democrats recent attempt to discredit McCain's military service? The guilty, as in liberals, really shouldn't be throwing any stones toward Republicans on this considering what they tried to do to McCain's military service.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Mat, Indianapolis, Indiana — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:08:14 GMT

it is just idiotic that anyone would think a paper written on this subject manner would cause any political stir or harm Mr Obama's chances of securing the presidency. it will never cease to amaze me what conservatives/republicans will do to derail this country from once again heading in a positive direction. I am sickened by the poisonous lies this administration has spread over the past 7yrs. We need to work on getting rid of the "aged" politicians and the "aged" views they hold out of Washington DC.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Gene Brizal, Loveland, CO — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:09:42 GMT

When is the drive-by media going to quit schmoozing with this grinning gargoyle, and begin substantive reporting. It is getting so tiring reading about Obama is soooo fantastic as if he is the second coming. The problem is that the public at large sees right through this and is thoroghly digusted. I was a supporter, until theexcessive coverage. I am so sickened by the unfair and biased coverage I am nauseated. Quit already!!

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Doreen Augusta Maine — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:10:40 GMT

It is the Republicans that want a copy of this report. Goodness, how they try to find something substantive to say about Barack Obama. Republicans be careful, others may let out little secrets that Mccain doesn't want known and there are many. One is what has he ever done in the US senate that would be considered worthwhile?

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Terri, Pelham, Al — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:11:11 GMT

Foolish story!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I always vote Republican and I do not care about his undergrad theses...In fact I am now going to vote for BO now based on this story; how stupid!!!

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Anthony - Odessa, TX — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:11:15 GMT

Let's go back 25 years to around the early 80's, is this about the time McCain was ripping off Savings and Loans Customers?

Do they really want to go here? I would say to ask McCain what he thinks about the topic that Sen. Obama wrote about, but odds are he forgot about it (just like he forgot that Iraq does not border Pakistan) or that he doesn't remember the vote.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Doreen Augusta Maine — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:11:53 GMT

Jenny J -- It is not what one would consider a true PhD thesis. Geez, get your facts together.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Chief — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:13:10 GMT

All I can say is ..."Keep looking, keep digging, keep searching, enlist more people, and tools, who knows, you may find something just before the innauguration ceremony or before the end of his first term in office. Have you checked with the Soviets as well? They may have received a complementary copy. You should also check with the library in Indonesia, and Kenya, may be they have it. And since we are told the guy may be a secret Muslim, why not sift through the libraries in Saudi Arabia, they may have original copies in Arabic or Swahili.

But you must not give up. If we have not given up looking for Bin Laden for the past 7 years, why should you quit. THis may be the only thing that stops Mr Barrack from taking the keys to the White House. For surely you can find this paper, Yes you can !!

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Ralph — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:13:46 GMT

Why are you people wasting time and energy for notting sake

You people should support Obama.Support the winning party Ok and live the young man alone as he does not know anything about the Soviet Nuclear Disarmament

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Steve, Boston, Mass — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:14:04 GMT

If these crazies are so interested in Obama's early 20s it really makes you wonder why they were not interested in Bush's history when he was up for election. You know... the alcoholism, drug use and his unpunished absence without leave from the U.S. armed forces.

Maybe they should try to find some crayon drawings he made as a child to see if he made it with both his mother and father... because I'm sure if he didn't draw his fater he must not believe that family is important.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Carla Burrell, Burbank, CA — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:15:20 GMT

God help us all! I can't believe the hatred in the minds that make up this stuff.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Jack K., Bend, Oregon — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:16:08 GMT

Now let me see if I have this straight: Obama wrote a paper for an undergraduate college class a quarter century ago that has been referred to as a 'thesis' but wasn't actually a thesis and is therefore not filed as a thesis and now all these years later he is a "liar" because he claims not to have kept a copy of this paper about arms negotiation with a state that dissolved 8 years later that he wrote for that undergraduate class a quarter century ago but didn't write as a thesis because Columbia didn't require an undergraduate thesis back then in any case.

Is that about it?

Assuming this isn't an effort to aspire to 'New Yorker'-level satire, one can only assume that this David Bossie either has an incredibly messy house or pays a fortune in storage rental fees. I graduated from college 30 years ago and I'm pretty certain I couldn't produce a single sheet of paper on which I had typed words for a class even 10 years down the road.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Rilla, Seattle, WA — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:16:20 GMT

To Lucy Abrams:

At least he admitted his cocaine use. Tell me one politician who can say the same? Bush was a coke-head and drunk (and a yuppie one at that). You are a moron and it's morons like you that threaten our national security with your naive and idiotic votes.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Ron Stone, Edmond, Oklahoma — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:16:37 GMT

Yeah,
I also remember Hillary Clinton taking 8 or 9 months to "find" the Rose Law firm records she so conveniently "misplaced" and then lo and behold "found" in her closet. This smacks of Obama's blatant attempts at hiding his true beliefs, as in the case of Rev. Wright where he claims not to have known Wright's true ideological beliefs.
Sen. Obama is not qualified to even be a U.S. Senator, much less the President of the United States.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

John Grant Casper Wy — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:17:39 GMT

Does anyone who would vote for Obama actually work for a living? Between health care and taxes and car insurance there isn't all that much money even left over. Wait until he is elected. It will be like in england where the majority of people can only afford to go to work. Looks like a great next four years to me.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Carla Burrell, Burbank, CA — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:20:10 GMT

God help us all! I can't believe the hatred in the minds that make up this stuff.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

John Halliday, Cary, NC — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:20:41 GMT

Mr. Obama's thesis might not be conclusive, but it would be helpful in getting some idea of might guide him on foreign policy issues. Regardless of party, let's face a fact; he has no record of accomplishment or experience outside of political campaigning, none. At this point anything would be helpful for the non-aligned to get a handle on what he might actually do once in office.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

D.Piddle j-ville, FL — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:21:58 GMT

Yes Jenny J they are filed...but obviously you didn't score very well in reading comprehension...the paper he wrote WASN'T a thesis...therefore wasn't filed...read the entire article again before you spout some ignorant rant...and who really still thinks the same thing 25 years later anyway? The paper was to fulfill a class requirement not to undermine the world a quarter century later under the guise of being an educated man devoting his time and leadership to his country...get a grip on reality.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Donna Maxwell — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:23:50 GMT

It is my understanding that John McCain graduated 6th from the bottom of his class of 899 at the Naval Academy. Wouldn't it be great if we could get hold of some of his writings and test results? This is just more "Rethuglican" desperation!

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Jennie — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:26:27 GMT

O.k its official, These conservatives need therapy,intensive... Obama has screwed them up..They are going nuts..they have no idea what to do with him... I am sure if they can they will try and find fault with the mole on his cheek and try to convince us how dangerous it would be to elect him because of that. Dr. Phil... Can you offer your services to these folks They are pathetic..

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

sam sen, edison, new jersey — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:27:14 GMT

Why right wing niuts dont find out, why Mccain did not come last in his class in naval academy but second from the bottom due to his father's influence.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Sharmilla — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:28:54 GMT

Where is John McCain's thesis? Please people, since Barack will not get down and dirty with this people, let's do it for him. Let's request that McCains full military and health records be released.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Pat Omaha, Ne — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:30:42 GMT

It's nice people can be narrow minded on both sides. I don't like Obama and I don't need a paper from 25 years ago to back that up. Just look at his voting record. His policies will crush the economy and rack up even more federal debt, I know taxing the 1% that pay 40% of the tax income even more is "fair". Too bad it's hardly ever mentioned that the bottom 50% of Americans only cover 3% of the taxes now. Seems that just isn't "fair" enough.

It's amazing the posts here, what's with saying the Republican party by making Nazi comments (calling them the reich-wing). And you call the conservatives crazy...

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

karl kettler, new york,n.y. — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:30:46 GMT

If this was such a high powered course and he worked onthsi document for a full academic year chances are that Obama kept that paper,if for no other reason, then as a reference document later on. In view of his black cultural orientation he no doubt made some anti-American statements that would be blemish his campaign. I do not believe he is as intellectually bright as some people. What he does posses is the Elmer Gentry manipulative character which can often be falsely persuasive.In other words he is a con-artists!

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Carol M, Cambridge, MA — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:31:30 GMT

Why is it that people cannot read and comprehend an article? Jenny J says that every senior thesis is filed at Columbia U, but Columbia U has clearly stated that, at the time Sen. Obama was a senior, there was no thesis requirement and, therefore, there is no paper on file. He is not hiding anything; there is nothing left to be hidden. After reading his professor's comments on the quality of his work, I can't imagine that he'd want to hide this paper if he had it.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

J. St. Lawrence — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:31:56 GMT

Where is Obama's missing 3rd-grade Halloween costume?!!! Where is the plaster cast of his handprint from daycare??!! If he doesn't have one of his college papers, who know what other kinds of nefarious childhood memorabilia he may be hiding?

Teehee. Lathered-up neocons are fun-nee!

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Huntington, Pittsburgh, PA — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:32:00 GMT

Nope Jenny (every senior thesis is kept). In fact undergraduate senior theses are NEVER kept by any university. Why would they? Who really care except right wing whackos who are desperately searching for smear material. Anyway the thesis was about arms control. What do you think he said, whackos? That the Soviety Union is great and he want to become a communist. Please get a life and spend more time with your kids. You won't rescue a totally inept and dangerous candidate (McSame) by getting an undergrad paper from Obama. Maybe you can find a drawing from one of the children in preschool?

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Michael O'Shea, Rochester, NY — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:33:08 GMT

Straw Man. Nothing more.
A suggestion to McCain's campaign: As an old saying goes; "Don't raise your voice... improve your argument".
This simply points out how weak the Republic Party's chances are in this election, and how desperate they've become, that they are so lacking in confidence in their own Candidate selling points that they have to resort to bashing the other guy instead of selling their own.
Always the hallmark of a losing argument.

Conversely, the old bumper sticker reads; Vote Republican... it's easier than thinking for yourself". If you need someone to make your decisions for you, vote them back in. Otherwise, use your own intelligence.
The one thing the "establishment" can't abide is a voting public that is watching and making their own decisions. Hence, the constant Straw-men and "wedge" issues to distract from the real problems.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Concerned Citizen for Freedom, Houston, TX — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:34:08 GMT

How about we start looking for McCain's old college papers....? It's sad that is such a stark double standard when it comes to finding out what Sen. Obama has done prior to beginning his relevant political career...whereas nobody islooking into what McCain did during his education. He has his degrees/credentials from Columbia and Harvard, correct? Leave it at that... Also how would what Obama wrote while in university even be relevant snce it was quite some time ago?

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

PThomas, Louisville, KY — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:34:20 GMT

I do not have any of my college papers from over 20 years ago...why would anyone??

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Harvey, New York, NY — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:34:45 GMT

Bohdan Szejner of Kraków, Poland wrote, "I am not a presidential candidate, but I have written four graduate theses and two independent, in three languages.... On top of it, I have written 2,000 personal letters to world leaders. The documents cost me years of work, and they are too precious to be discarded: they are a window on my dignity as person, and they are part of my life..."

Is this guy serious? Did he even bother to read the article? It wasn't a thesis! The school did not require a thesis for the course! Why is this person who has apparently spent his entire adult life either in school, or writing letters to world leaders attempting to equate his rather odd existence to Obama's lost paper? Republican thinking would truly be humorous but for the fact it is so dangerous for the rest of the world!

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Dave C, St. Louis, MO — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:37:50 GMT

"You people at NBC & MSNBC are so obviously politically biased against John McCain it is becoming a joke! The American people are waking up to this reality. We will speak at the poles."

Great idea, Gary. Go find a pole - a phone pole perhaps - and explain to it your ridiculous theories. Meanwhile, I'll be at the polls, voting for the only option that has a chance to begin leading us out of the economic and policy mess GWB has spent 8 years creating.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

ELIZABETH, VA — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:38:09 GMT

Lucy (from MD) and those like you think about what you are saying...first off, if he wasn't a citizen of the U.S. he wouldn't have been in the U.S. Senate. If he weren't a citizen of the United States (natural born that is) he wouldn't have even been allowed to throw his had in the ring to run for president.

All this witch hunting about this cr@p that you are talking about just goes to show you that you have NO CLUE what the qualifications to be POTUS are (it's only 2) much less any of the OTHER stuff that deals with the history of this country or the Consitution of it.

Maybe you and your "friends" who believe as you do, should go back to high school and take a Civics and Government class at the lower level and work your way back up because evidentally you all have forgotten the basics.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

SB, Richmond, VA — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:38:20 GMT

odd.. how some of these democrats arent interested in something he wrote 25 years ago.. but go over a cliff trying to find what Bush did in the NG 30 years ago. It is VERY important to understand the true identity of our leaders..

and if you dont have a copy of your senior thesis.. then it is only 1. embarrassing to you or 2. junk. Arent you proud of your accomplishments? at the very least.. his mom would have kept it.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Theodore Aluicious Debonay St Marie — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:39:15 GMT

looks to me like the only thing that's hidden is Nobama's relevant contributions to society and politics in whole... but to make up for nothing to be noted for... he'll just go to Europe and win the election there... nothing excites ME more than the idea that libs figure to have this thing all wrapped up... shades of Al Gore and Mike Dukakis... no pun intended...

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Paula J. Michigan — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:40:27 GMT

Jenny J, obviously you can't read. These were not part of the curriculum and saved until the 90's. Why don't we get Cindy McCain's court papers on when she stole the drugs and got off with a slap and use these as a thesis.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

dhd, Colorado — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:41:24 GMT

I graduated from Oberlin College the same year that Sen. Obama graduated from Columbia. I don't have a single paper of mine. Keeping things now is far easier with digital media. But back then it was Smith Corona, and the type writer had no memory.

So, it's ridiculous to suggest that Obama should have this paper. How many times has he moved since Columbia, 1983?

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

DEAN, Alexandria, VA — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:43:55 GMT

Why arent the republicans looking for the 10,000,000 lost emails, or the records of Cheney's secret energy meeting? What a sad group of people. And the GOPERS cant figure out why they are about to lose it all....

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

mark, houston, tx — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:47:26 GMT

look. we need an edge over obama. we have got to dig something up and fast. it's not like we're breaking into watergate again. this is a transparent and fair investigation. obama where is that paper?!!! we have got to understand your position on disarmament negotiations as a college student. hiding this paper from us will not frustrate us or make us look desperate but will only harden our resolve to read your thesis from beginning to end.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Steve R. Hillsborough, NC — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:50:17 GMT

I retain a copy of any paper or document I ever spent more than 6 weeks working on. I've always been amazed by people who travel so light through life that they find no value in what they produced and take no interest in it looking backward from the perspective of years.

What's more a few of these things, while dated in themselves, make good templates for future work.

To me it is unthinkable to discard a paper of that kind -- apparently Obama's professor thought so, too, and intended to keep it even if it was lost -- yet there do seem to be a number of posters who don't see any value in their own work. Did they toss out their diplomas, too? (Come to think of it, while I know I have mine, I'm not sure exactly where they are...)

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

wilder in Los Angeles — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:50:52 GMT

George W McCain graduated 894th out of 899 in his college class in 1958.

The Democrats should try to find his "Dick and Jane" school book from this time and decipher the crayon scribbles McCain made on its pages.

Perhaps it will show what most Americans suspect...that he's not too bright.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Murray Hills, Auckland NZ — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:50:55 GMT

I agree that this is really over the top. There is much in this man's recent voting record and actions that would better demonstrate his fitness or otherwise for the role of President.
Too much credit is given Senator Obama for 2 years in the senate and 2 years running for higher office. There is little to point to that suggests he is worth the risk; would you give car keys to a 13 year old in busy traffic and trust him/her to drive you home safely. The cult of personality surrounding this man seems as much a result of seeing an end to the tenure of an unpopular President, as it is a media looking to embrace promote someone that voices their values at any cost.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

sheribaby, St. Louis, MO. — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:51:12 GMT

Lucy Abrams, Obama was never a Kenyan citizen and his certificate of live birth is from the AMERICAN STATE of Hawaii. He really scares you, doesn't he? that BLACK senator from Illinois, so everything about him must be false. Come on. get real.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Don, Lakewood, Ca. — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:51:37 GMT

The responding comments themselves are as interesting as the story. We have a lot of people who see this whole pathetic enterprise for what it is, and then we have some unemployed expert in Texas who can spot a phony birth certificate over the web, and another Maryland maniac who thinks the senator hails from Kenya. Great reading folks, keep it up.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

L.E. Solivan — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:53:19 GMT

PLEEEEEESE....this is such pettiness. Lets keep to the 'real' issues.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Obvious Troll is Obvious — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:54:20 GMT

HAHAH, People keep mentioning Katrina. If you live below sea level expect to get owned by a natural disaster. People also keep mentioning that Bush dodged service which he didn't do when Clinton did in fact dodge the draft. So stfo and gtfo. Liberal pos

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Tony — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:55:52 GMT

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Lawrence, Santa Clarita, California — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:55:59 GMT

It's so sad that the right wing republicans will stop at nothing to discredit Obama. They have thrown everything but the kitchen sink and since there are not sticking, they might as well go on witch hunt. So sad and pathetic.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Jack Phillips — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:56:42 GMT

I really get a kick out of the Obama-worshippers’ bad spelling, bad grammar, and the wildly unsubstantiated vituperations they heap on anyone who dares criticize their messiah. In all likelihood, his thesis was deliberately “lost” to better conceal his very mediocre mind.

I hate to burst your bubble folks, but your putative savior is nothing more than a vapid empty suit with affirmative action written all over it. Can any of you name a single real-world accomplishment this guy has made? Yeah, I didn’t think so. You can you name any significant legislation the guy has introduced? No again, because there hasn’t been any.

Don’t be impressed by the fact that he went to Harvard either. The Ivy League schools lower their admission standards shamelessly to admit black students. Grade inflation, as former president Larry Summers has admitted, is out of control there too. (Most students there nowadays graduate ‘with honors’ whether they deserve them or not.) I’d also be willing to bet that Obama’s professors graded him and others like him more leniently than they did their non-black students. To put it bluntly, Geraldine Ferraro was right about him: if he weren’t black, he’d be nothing, nowhere, and nobody. If he was lucky, he’d be an assistant manager at a Dairy Queen somewhere.

Have any of you Obama-worshippers actually read the guy’s policy platform? It’s just a rehash of all the left-wing ideas from the 1960’s that were tried, failed, and discarded years ago. Expand the welfare state, raise taxes, coddle criminals, throw the door open to illegal aliens, weaken the military and handcuff law enforcement: that’s all he has to offer you. Your messiah’s thinking in on the cutting edge of fifty years ago. His ideas are older than he is: they were wrong then, and they’re wrong now.

If he does get elected, you’ll be in for a rude shock: no miracles will be performed, and no great new ideas will emerge. There will still be a host of socioeconomic problems. Your taxes will go up, unemployment will go up, and crime rates will go up, that’s all he’ll do for you.

Sadly, those of us who were smart enough to see through this guy’s scam will suffer too.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Randi Hoffmann — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:59:26 GMT

Wow, I don't know where most of my papers from college are!

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

elizabeth martin, newark, new jersey — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:59:37 GMT

why do people keep tormenting john macainn. each time there is a rumor it gives the poor guy hope . stopit. obama is clean, don't you get it.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

D Searcy — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:02:07 GMT

steve mccallum, if Obama is such a clever liar then how would you know he's lying? But of course you are even more clever, so perhaps you should have run for President. Finally we have a smart guy running for president. What a novel idea!

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

sue engle — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:06:42 GMT

This is all so stupid... let's get down to what is really important what is going to happen in the next 4 - 8 years and who is going to keep the US from going under or turning into a 3rd world country. i.e. a trade agreement with Columbia? I can't even get parts for my Sebring now! Grow up America.Nothing is Black and white anymore . it can't be.Obama is perfect for these times..he is the only one who personifies what the future is and clearly sees that swords need to become plowshares otherwise we will starve. Everything needs to change.. His educated/ hippie mom and far sighted/liberal granparents raised him well.
And not to be mean but let's not forget little miss rich barbie doll mcCain has her little drug demons.. good thing she can afford her own rehab. though the FBI has said if she wasn't who she was, she would be in prison... nuff said.So don't be misled on that little picture of perfection and you are worried about a term paper? Get real.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Al, New London, CT — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:06:53 GMT

Senator Obama,

Where were you on November 7, 1999? An individual named Larry Sinclair says you were with him doing drugs and having sex. Any comment sir?

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

John, Philadelphia, PA — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:08:55 GMT

This was a total waste of time.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Maggie, Denver, CO — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:10:32 GMT

The missing thesis alone is no big deal. But when coupled with the announcement a week or so ago that Obama's state senator papers have vanished, it concerns me a bit. Obama's paper trail is extremely thin for a candidate for the most powerful job on earth.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Henderson, Herrin, IL — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:10:56 GMT

This piece articulates perfectly the depths of ridiculousness that some people will go to in order to try and discredit an opponent. Seriously, who cares about a thesis paper written 25 years ago about nuclear disarmament? I don't hear people beating down the door for McCains quarter-century old homework. I don't remember people wanting to know what Bill Clinton wrote about while in school. We spend so much time worrying about the most insignificant of details, and I suspect that some lose sight of what is truly important in a candidate.

P.S. I've heard that John McCain wrote a doozy of a paper in 8th grade. . .

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

John Siebert, Blue Springs, MO — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:11:03 GMT

The world already has one too many FOX News outlets, MSNBC should not stoop to being another. Quoting a raving maniac does not make the coverage, "balanced."

All one would learn from my undergraduate papers was I had rather mediocre spelling skills a the time.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Sharon C, E. Stroudsburg PA — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:11:17 GMT

Any person who does the same old thing the same old way and expect change is a "fool." I really cannot comprehend the folly of all this nonsense. We have kids who are starving and the inner cities crumbling and you want to talk about a college paper 25 years ago? This all seem like "a dying man clutching for a straw." I have to literally choose between buying gas and food and you are there pandering about college paper? I am very irate to know that our great country is reduced to such mundane and petty foolishness. I believe that Senator Obama will bring the nessary change that will cause America to shine again. We need fresh new ideas, people with vision and purpose, integrity and character to hold the fort. A fool is the person seeking to perpetrate with the same dinosaur theories and ideas and expect change. Come on! this is the 21 st century. We need a change we can believe in. Not a change that will drag us back 25 years ago! Get A Grip!!!!!!!

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

FR Wilmington DE — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:11:51 GMT

Balance...it's all about balance.
Yes, it is clearly and objectively true that, like it or not, there is just not a lot of record around for the American people to hang their hats on to evaluate Mr. Obama. Okay...But to use that lack of documentation as justification for a snipe-hunt of a 20+ year old college paper as a potential barometer of the man as he exists now...
H.L. Mencken once said " Under democracy one party always devotes its chief energies to trying to prove that the other party is unfit to rule-and both commonly succeed, and are right."

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

David Brosnan, Pacifica, CA — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:13:26 GMT

"WHERE IS OBAMA'S MISSING BIRTH CERTIFICATE, THE ONE HE POSTS ON HIS WEB SITE IS AN OBVIOUS PHONEY."

Kudos to Paul and Lucy who weren't too scared to use real names, but you both lose points for not checking near AREA 51! Do the conspiracy theorists really believe this stuff?

"Another example of why many people do not trust Barack H. Obama. John Doe Seattle, Washington"

A non-example would be more like it. Do you (i.e., anonymous poster)have any real examples of untrustworthiness you can site?

"Obama again says something he can't back up -- jane doe, britt, iowa"

Did you read the article, Jane (i.e., anonymous wife of John)? What does he have to back up?

Where's the bias Gary Evans? The author includes a quote calling Obama a liar. Maybe you are not refering to the article itself but rather the tidal wave of opinions supporting how non-relevant an undergrad paper would be.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

ELIZABETH, VA — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:13:40 GMT

I completed my MBA 2 yrs. ago and had to write a thesis paper in the last course, a culmination of all the other papers I had written throughout the course with more information added at the end.

Did I keep it? Um, not a hard copy but it's on my computer and just as soon as I finish saving all the stuff I need off my computer it's going to be deleted along with the other cr@p on my computer.

Now 25 yrs. ago he wrote a senior paper that wasn't a thesis, which explains WHY the university didn't have a copy of it (makes sense to me) and it also explains why HE didn't keep it because it wasn't his opinions (did anyone read the article???)it was more like a research paper.

Find something else to harp on like, oh the issues

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

sheribaby, St. Louis, MO. — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:14:16 GMT

Thank you, Pezoh, St. Louis, Missouri, and Annette, Henderson, NC, et. al.
Bohdan, Szejner, Krakow, Poland, you are a professional, and speaking of GRADUATE theses, which would be retained and probably electronically (or else paper could be lost, yellowed from age, or destroyed by accidental fire). They're on a witch hunt for a SENIOR thesis from Obama, explained by his professor to be an 'A' paper and not controversial - a method, not policy analysis - not professional, just a term paper. Do you have all of your UNDERGRADUATE, or high school work also? I didn't think so. I don't, and I was a philosophy major (although I DID retain some books for my personal library). This witch hunt is what seems "fishy" to me. First, Michelle's graduate thesis (and she's NOT the candidate) but it IS available, and now this.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Richard Dean, Chicago, Il — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:16:19 GMT

Of course no one is interested in McCain's old papers. He graduated 5th FROM THE BOTTOM from a class of 899 from the Navel Academy. The right wing doesn't want smarts. That would be elitist. They want McShame.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

lea,fredericksburg,va — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:16:25 GMT

You would keep a thesis paper but this was not.
I have none of my work done in college. It is not relevant enough to keep.
Mr.Bossie is a liar for calling someone a liar without proof.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

annette, aurora, Illinois — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:17:25 GMT

Tony wrote "Even if what he wrote is not the same as his position now what does that have to do with the cost of tea in China"

Tony, you've made my day. I read your entire blog and got a real good laugh. I'm around Obama's age. Got a graduate degree, wrote a thesis that I reeeally wish I could find. I have no clue. Does these guys realize that we were not sticking floppy's and usb sticks into our drives to save our papers at the time. I'm sure for the first 3 to 4 years after I graduated I probably could find my paper, but with people moving....aawwh why am I saying the obvious? When people move into the world of work, get married, have kids etc who cares about keeping up with one of many papers you've written in College. Why don't they just ask Obama the topic of his thesis, rather than make a story about him not being able to find it? Does McCain have a thesis? Wish I still had my little theses, but I don't. Does that make me a liar? Wow.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

James, Portland OR — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:18:06 GMT

Reading some of the hypocritical comments, I would have to say 90% of those saying "Who cares", wouldn't feel the same way about McCain's Thesis paper.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

LARISSA TX — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:18:24 GMT

For those who think he has something to hide need to wake up to reality. Seem like you haven't grown up yet! (GOP)

OBAMA 08

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Dave Kim, Tucson Arizona — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:20:21 GMT

You want to see a Piece of Social Embarassment to America, Take a Look at Obamas' Wifes " Thesis "

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Henderson, Herrin, IL — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:23:40 GMT

This article perfectly articulates just how ridiculous the campaign process has become. Rather than 2 opponents debating issues and talking about real issues, we get things like this. Oh dear, Obama's homework from a quarter of a century ago went missing....whatever shall we do now? While we're on the subject, I wonder what McCain wrote when he was in college....but why stop there? Let's get all of the old homework we can and make our decision based on that. We'll pore over 8th grade papers until our eyes bleed, and THEN we'll know who the better president will be. OR, maybe we should try and concentrate on issues.....I wish....

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Rodney Samegate, Hamilton Georgia — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:26:20 GMT

Hmmmm, He wrote a thesis before there was a program at the University providing a vehicle for such a document. Interesting speculation. Sound like the time that Bush put in the Air Force reserves a Maxwell.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Gen Ingersoll, Colorado — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:28:11 GMT

Yes, I agree will Piewhole, Wyoming - who keeps their college papers. Once done it's tossed or in a pile somewhere in never, never land. Some people are so anal about the little stuff about a person. Let it go.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

J. Malone, Los Angeles, Ca. (shineonme@live.com — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:32:16 GMT

Come on Mr. Bossie. Our country is completely falling apart thanks to the current administration and all you can focus on is a paper someone wrote 20+ years ago. This man may be the only bright spot out there now that can get this country back on the pass to greatness.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

paul, sacrmaneto, ca — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:34:32 GMT

I am just laughing out loud over the DESPERATION. The fight is lost, the GOP brand has been destroyed. The people that support Bush/Cheney are out of touch and do not even know what conservatism is/was. These people are not Reagan or Goldwater conservatives. They are embarassements.

Poor McCain, I used to like him, but his handlers have turned him into something other than what made him popular.

It does not matter what bottom feeders like Bossie and Ilk do, Obama will be the next president. When it gets closer to the election all of McCains mistakes will be consolidated into some very embarassing ads. They are holding them off for now. When peole see the debates with McCain standing next to Obama the choice is going to be so stark and McCain is going to appear such a relic that the choice will be obvious.

Don't waste your time bottom feeders, out of touch neo conservatives. Your time is done, you are an ambarassment to this great country, your days are numbered.

Later...

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

fafo,fairfax,va — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:35:03 GMT

STEVE 2:59
It's time to have a clever liar.Americans are clever.we had dumb liars before we don't need them anymore.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

ndo, los angeles, ca — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:35:09 GMT

Now, if the media are so intrigued by the search for a 20-year-old college paper, then perhaps they will find the parity to report on what Sen. McCain was doing 20 years ago, and how a "little banking scandal" that somewhat mirrors the current lender crisis forever imbrued the concept of savings and loan institutions. Just sayin'...

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Sam King, Washington, D.C. — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:35:12 GMT

America has only one problem - The republicans always select people who are not inteligent to run for the office of the president. Even Ronald Ragen was not inteligent. These people do not know what thesis realy is. They try to make the world think they do. The moment they wake up, America will be alright. Never be jealouse of God's blessing so that you will be blessed also. The last time I checked, you were supposed to be the party of God loving people. What happened? Our God does not hate anybody.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

lonnymac2001@yahoo.com — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:36:05 GMT

I guess the question is whether or not other papers from the era can be found. If all of Obama's classmate's papers are readily available or only recently went missing or if only his paper is missing, then there may be a fire making all this smoke. The political views of this professor might also come into question. It would not be the first time someone manipulated the truth thinking that the end justifies the means.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Edgar "the Ditch" Winfield, IV — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:39:50 GMT

The sort of desperation maneuver we've come to expect from the Right-wing after someone at the top of their food chain finally realized this Obama guy could actually win the whole enchilada.

No surprises here, just the vultures acting...well, like vultures.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

fladiver1, Spring Hill, FL — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:40:43 GMT

Quote:
Does anyone who would vote for Obama actually work for a living?

No. That's why they have time to post here during normal business hours. All the while drinking the Kool Aid, I'm sure.

God help us if he wins and the unexperienced, untested, unvetted, Marxist leaning Obama leads us toward becoming the United Socialist States of America.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Duncan, Hull, England — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:40:56 GMT

Viewpoint from England: I'm mildly surprised at the obvious desperation of right wing politicians to dig up dirt on Barack Obama. What is hilarious though is their patent stupidity when said thesis is about analysing policy, not espousing policy. Either they are too stupid to know the difference, or that desperate that the mere act of searching for a "lost" thesis is their only counter-action against their opponent. Really, this is absolutely pathetic.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

fladiver1, Spring Hill, FL — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:41:16 GMT

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

John Doe...Greensboro, NC — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:42:40 GMT

The conservative that came up with this (BS) should get a life and find something of value to spend his time on. How about going out to SF and getting a job at the Bush Sewage Plant. I am certain there is much more of what he is searching can be found there.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Chris Cappadozy AlbanyNew York — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:43:07 GMT

Please!!? I don't even have any of my papers from grad school- let alone undergrad. Since Obama was editor of the Harvard Law Review, Obviously, they couldn't find anything "controversial" amongst his law school papers, since Obama was editor of the Harvard Law Review, so now they're digging through his undergrad career. What's next? Maybe, some controversial essay he wrote about "Of Mice and Men" in 9th grade!

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Ray — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:43:08 GMT

seriously? you guys are sounding pathetic and desperate. keep it up!! This election is gonna be easier than I thought

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Tammy, Mishawaka — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:48:23 GMT

Can we have some real news please?

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

MARIO, CHARLOTTE, NC — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:49:00 GMT

this is a mission to smear and smear and smear, and is not int he best interest of the country..it is further divisive, and counterproductive to helping voters make an infomed decision...you are only diverting attention away fromthe facts, in favor of ficticious reports....

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

N West Chicago, IL — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:56:23 GMT

McCain's military record? Buehler? Buehler? I'm not talking about the 19 pages released to the AP with an overview and list of awards. I am talking about the 617 missing pages. I understand you wouldn't find Obama's military record anywhere seeing as how he didn't serve, but wouldn't full disclosure be "straight talk" about the thing that boosts his resume most? McCain should release HIS record before his attack dogs touch Obama's undergrad thesis?!!!!!

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Jon Dummer, San Diego, Ca — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:56:55 GMT

Give me a break, this country is going belly up under Bush and you think voters care what a 25 year old school paper written by a 20 year old says.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

enclaved@swva.net — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:57:00 GMT

I don't think the right winger's are nefarious in their views, they just don't have the ability to come to logical conclusions. McCain, Bush, and combany only have fear to work with in this election so they will "demand" that this old piece of useless paper be turned over to them, even if it dosen't exist.

It is a shame they have no issues, no plans, and only more of their failures to offer in this critical election. What bothers me most is that there are actually people who believe the nonsense being spouted by the right.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Kim Lewis, Portland, Oregong — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:57:11 GMT

That is so outragious. I cannot believe that the McCain campaign is so desperate that they have to make up fake papers that don't exist. I am 49 years old and have no papers from college left. Don't you dare call him a liar. I don't know how the McCain camp can get away with all of this slander. McCain plays so dirty that what will it be like if he gets into office. That's a scary thought. I just hope that Americans are not as stupid as he thinks they are.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

John, San Francisco — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:58:06 GMT

You have to be freaking kidding!!! What possible significance could the academic writing of 22 year-old Obama have, and why isn't anyone talking about McCain graduating at the BOTTOM of his class at Anapolis and building his career off his daddy, admrial McCain.

PS. I submitted my undergraduate thesis in 2003 and doubt I could find a copy of it today

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

AJ Tscherne, Toledo, Ohio — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:58:51 GMT

Give me a break. I'm still waiting to see George Bush's missing military records. Everything the Republicans are doing is a sign of desperation in a losing battle for the presidency. Bottom line, after what Bush and his gang of criminals did to this once great country, you'd have to be a moron or unbelievably uninformed to ever vote for a republican again!

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Cory, venturas, CA — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:59:31 GMT

These posts are better than the story. Theres nothing better than reading Lucys post about the security of our nation at stake because Obama has a Kenyan citizenship. I just can't believe she forgot to mention he's a muslim. Or that he never actually graduated from the 6th grade. Or that his mother named him after Sadam Husein.

I wouldnt mind reading his paper (not thesis) on the subject. But seeing as colleges don't save every paper their students ever wrote and its 25 years ago...good luck.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Jose, Houston, Texas — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:59:31 GMT

Think. Think. The savior has no clothes. Just like his Berlin speech. No Substance. Nothing but general ....b.s. How can we elect such a lightweight? You dems need to get over your HATE Bush mindset and think as a American.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Stan Jamrog, Springfield, MA — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 21:01:38 GMT

Because he no longer has the paper he is therefore a liar? Nice. I guess we don't need to abide by the rules of logic or civility anymore.

How many times has a conservative been dragged in front of congress and stated "I do not recall." I guess they are all liars too.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Joe amazed in California — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 21:04:54 GMT

I thin its a good idea to continue the search, I am an Obama supporter and I would love to read his theses, Im sure its well written!!!! wait are you serious its obvious whats going on here, people are trying to see just how intelligent Obama really is, but I would like to say Im amazed at this campaign, is there no dignity left, none at all right thought so, you guys are worse than grave robbers.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

John, Riley Wisconsin — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 21:05:12 GMT

Ask the average Republican for any paper he wrote in the high school he didn't finish.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

David Brosnan, Pacifica, CA — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 21:06:00 GMT

If one had only two choices: give the car keys to a 13 year old with outstanding vision and top-of-the-class intelligence or give the keys to a forgetful senior with tunnel-vision and bottom-of-the-class inteliigence -- I'd feel much better with the 13 year old.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Darrenddog — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 21:06:17 GMT

Who Cares?? The only people that care are the ones who are looking for something to slam Obama with. Looking for trash...How inspireing that is. Sounds an awful lot like the current leadership of the Republican Party.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

tara — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 21:07:08 GMT

i don't trust obama...and it all started with his choice of friends i.e the reverends, continues with his flip flopping...and most certainly, his wife doesn't help.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

JCB, Carmichael, CA — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 21:09:33 GMT

Clearly, the McCain camp is a bit worried about the individual who is most likely to be our next President. How sad to waste our time on a which hunt. Get a real hobby.....

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

R. Haynes, Texas City, TX — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 21:10:50 GMT

Bossie, a mind is a terrible thing to waste. Please don't think or express anymore. It must hurt your brain sooooo much.

Obama '08

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Iris, San Francisco — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 21:12:08 GMT

I am a genuine Pack-rat. I doubt that I have any
papers written in college though I did keep my sorority scrapbook. I espacially wouln't keep a paper for an honors class seen by me and my professor only. Find something better to talk about.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Ruth Werre, Colorado Springs, CO — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 21:13:45 GMT

I guess we can add the missing thesis to the missing original birth certificate. Seems like just yesterday the media was hysterical because George W. Bush's Alabama Guard records were missing a couple of pages. Today, the same press yawns about important documents not being produced for the junior senator from Illinois. Barack Hussein Obama is affirmative action run amok.

RW

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

neal wade, williamstown, nj — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 21:15:01 GMT

now I see why people make kokes about polish people

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

H. Fites, Tucson, Arizona — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 21:15:31 GMT

David Bossie... what more does anyone need to know? This man will say, do, fabricate, anything to tarnish the opposition. Bossie is exactly what the majority of Americans hate about politics. It's just too bad Mr. Bossie lost his sense of shame 25+ years ago.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Awakened Electorate, Oklahoma City, OK — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 21:15:59 GMT

Another example of why many people do not trust right-wing conservatives like David Bossie.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

MARIO, CHARLOTTE, NC — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 21:16:41 GMT

you guys are so afraid of higher taxes, but when fema cannot manage in a disaster, the fda's funding is delayed until after a 32 state tainted food outbreak, our roads are falling apart literally, our levee's... oh my god our levee's......and we are spending 10 billion a week in Iraq....yes those are our American Tax dollars and the Bush admin is not even accounting for all their spending. Barrels of money have been lost or stolen on both warfronts and we are just having inquiries into what This Admin has done with our hard earned tax money....stop being blind and stoopid because more McSAme only equals more American Pain, Pain at the pump, pain at the unemployment line, Pain in our free wheeling de-regulated financial market, and housing markets.....that are on the verge of collapse....really think about it

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Jose52, Houston, Texas — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 21:16:53 GMT

Think. The savior has no clothes. Barry's Berlin speech show his lack of substance and the teleprompter's ...B.S. This man is a figment of the dems's insecurities and from their Bush Hate mindset. This man is inexperienced. His actual record is weak and contrived; just like his missing thesis. Nothing in this man's background exists and the lies the dems and the media keep on covering for him. Pathetic.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Jay Gray Elk Mills, MD — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 21:19:45 GMT

Obama should be made to remain in Iraq for a complete military tour. No person should run for congress or president unless they have served in the military. There are plenty of draft dodgers in congress.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Steve, Grand Junction, CO — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 21:20:03 GMT

You had better find out how Obama did on his final spelling exam in fourth grade as well. Or, did he learn his multiplication tables by the end of grade ? Can he recite the Gettysburg Address? C'mon conservative whackos, you better keep digging!

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Skip, New Hampshire — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 21:20:29 GMT

If this isn't the most ridiculuous thing I've ever read, I don't want to know what is. I wonder if Bossie has his papers... Get a life buddy or find something to do with all the time on your hands

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Bernie Adams, Utopia Texas — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 21:21:24 GMT

No doubt the majority of the MNBC readers are from the far left. But what else is new. To compare someones military record (Which isn't written by the individual) to a college paper tell me what? The name calling from the libs is amazing but not surprising considering there limited understanding of the real world.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Steve, Clearwater Fl — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 21:21:50 GMT

I dont know why someone would keep all that junk, I trew out all my school papers, diplomas and also all my army certificates and medals, it only collects dust and space.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Jim, Los Angeles, CA — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 21:22:58 GMT

Anyone who views this as a reason to distrust Obama is a fool. I am lucky if I can find something I wrote last week, et alone 25 years ago. If Bossie has evidence that Obama is deliberately concealing this he should put up or shut up. Otherwise, this is nothing more than a sideshow in a year when the Republican name is mud, and therefore that is all they have left to throw. Karl Rove's "One Party Majority" has been a smashing success... he just got the wrong party in ! Nice job guys.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

MARIO, CHARLOTTE, NC — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 21:23:46 GMT

To all those who stopped reading the article and jumped to the liar part
----------
The dog ate my homework?
Columbia University can’t help solve the mystery, either. The university says that it never had a copy of the paper in its archives, and doesn’t today. A spokesman said that no student technically could have written a thesis in 1983, since the university didn’t even have a thesis requirement for undergraduates then.

"At the time Barack Obama was a student, the political science department had no mechanism by which undergraduate political science majors in Columbia College could receive recognition for writing an independent thesis,” said university spokesman Robert Hornsby. “The department's procedures for students to write theses were created in the 1990s."

Obama’s spokesman seconds that notion: “Senator Obama did not write a thesis, in fact, Columbia's political science department didn't even begin offering the option for College undergraduates to write independent credit theses until the 1990s, well after Obama had graduated.”

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Valathel, Woodstock, MD — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 21:25:01 GMT

There are so many charitable organizations that need volunteers if people are this bored.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

ob08 — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 21:27:08 GMT

Bossie - just go and hide your face. Find something constructive to complain about. Better yet, why don't you talk about the skeletons in your closet as well as Beck and Hanity's while you are at it. Beck has a nerve to complain - he is a druggie and a alcoholic. Hanity is stressed out because he is so full of anger towards Obama that he will have a heart attack one day.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Frank Lee, Tulsa, OK — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 21:27:34 GMT

I am right wing, but this is silly. There are radicals on both sides, and this is one of them. I have heard and read cruel stories about both men. Let's stick to issues. My top ones are Taxes, terrorism, and Illegal immigration. The economy is not an issue; we have a free market economy; it is not run by the government and is not supposed to be. It is run by the free market place, and that's why it is the most sucessful in history.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

nor hudson houston, texas — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 21:27:57 GMT

Did you ask to see Bush's theses, oh I'm sorry thesis.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

booyah, cut off, louisiana — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 21:28:17 GMT

I'm white, middle class, moderately educated I'm STILL voting for Barak Obama. I'm tired of the lies and deceit at the top levels of government. I feel I have nothing to lose by taking a chance on the New Guy. I mean hey, if he doesn't work out, we'll only have him for 4 years, and if he does, then we'll get him for 8

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Jane Doe, Miami, Fl — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 21:29:55 GMT

When Obama was a senior in college, the idea of a black president may have sounded crazy. I am sure the last thing he was thinking about was maybe I should save this for when I run for president 25+ years from now. To those that think that not keeping a 25 year old paper to be fishy, you must be pack rats. Not even the IRS cares what happens to documents that old. And for those that do have 25+ year old papers lying around, its way past time for spring cleaning. Also, I am 26 years old and what I believed 4 years ago at 22 is not the same as what I believe now. Give the guy a break, he is allowed to grow and learn in 25 years. Get over it, get something concrete and get a life.

I guess Republicans still believe that "Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence"

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Jose52, Houston, Texas — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 21:31:05 GMT

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Lena, Memphis, TN — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 21:32:22 GMT

I graduated from college last year. I wrote a 50 page paper. I still have it. I finished that paper 10 years after I originally went to college. In 5 years time will I still have a copy of the paper? Probably not. (I can't find any of my papers from 10 years ago either.)I received an A and am very proud of my work. And no, my mom, also a college graduate, does not have a copy of the paper.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Awakened Electorate, Oklahoma City, OK — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 21:33:25 GMT

Paul, San Antonio: "WHERE IS OBAMA'S MISSING BIRTH CERTIFICATE, THE ONE HE POSTS ON HIS WEB SITE IS AN OBVIOUS PHONEY."

I really doubt that you want to start discussing birth certificates and "U.S. natural-born citizen" status.

From: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/11/us/politics/11mccain.html
"... a 1937 law that has been largely overlooked in the debate over Mr. McCain’s eligibility to be president. The law conferred citizenship on children of American parents born in the Canal Zone after 1904, and it made John McCain a citizen just before his first birthday. But the law came too late, Professor Chin argued, to make Mr. McCain a natural-born citizen."

I think this is largely being overlooked by most of the MSM, because everyone knows McCain won't be elected anyway.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Jocelyn, Calgary Canada — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 21:33:38 GMT

Are you kidding people?? Right-wing propaganda??
I don't care if it has been 20 years...it was not just some college paper, it was a thesis length paper (hundreds of pages long). A well written college paper takes minimum 2 hours per page, there is no way he would have discarded something that took him hundreds of hours to produce. He must be ashamed of something

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Philip Decatur, GA — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 21:33:50 GMT

At one time in my life I considered crossing the line to become a Republican, but after this election I would actually feel ashamed if I had done it. Never in my life have I seen sucha group of people try to pull out all the tricks just to crdit someone whom they know can upstage them. The conservatives are an embarrassment to themselves.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

G Johnson, Washington, DC — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 21:36:10 GMT

You people need to find something that really matters to obsess about. 25 years is a generation ago. It's the difference between being a boy and a man. Would you like to be held to account for or be judged today for all of the ideas you had in your youth? I think not. People grow and learn, and the only way to do that is to examine and explore new and different ideas. This missing thesis stuff is high school, gotcha nonsense. Grow up!

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Kim Eagles-Smith, Mill Valley CA — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 21:39:04 GMT

Which poles Gary Evans the north or south?

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Ann Williams, Akron, OH — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 21:41:01 GMT

Most Republicans claim they have good values and are Christians. I cant tell by their actions. Most of them are willing to say anything and do anything to win. I don't think Jesus Christ would be pleased with all the crooked things they do. This administration under President Bush is the worst the world has ever seen. I can't believe that anyone in their right mind would cast one vote for John McCain, because he supported President Bush agenda for the past 7 years. This country is in trouble and the Republicans are looking for Obama's college writings. I am not surprised by that, because they lack the honesty and the class to just debate the issues. I pray this great country, the USA will turn away from using fear and bigotry to win elections.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

LMertel Illinois — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 21:42:10 GMT

Oh Please! Grow up, he is honable man. That is why you are searching his past, now upto 25 years looking for something negative and unable to locate anything.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Anti OSAMA OBAMA Philadelphia — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 21:44:40 GMT

OSAMA OBAMA is a iiar, and the Anti Christ! He flips on anything and everything. Or, maybe he just thinks that the American public is in fact stupid, which they are. Stop the flooding in the Mid West vote McCain all the way!

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

D. Levin, Claymont, DE — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 21:54:59 GMT

I am the same age as Obama and also graduated college in 1983. I had just started to use a computer for papers my senior year, and have absolutely NONE of my work from that time. Besides, what would a 20-year-old have to say about any international issue that would be of important now, 25 years later?

This is the most ridiculous 'gotcha' I ever heard.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

D. Ponath, The Dalles Oregon — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 21:55:15 GMT

Get real, I last went to college just a few years ago. Do I have anything I wrote hanging about? No, I may have something on a hard drive somewhere. But not likely I could find it. Who cares? Oh right Mr. Bossie. So I guess the question is, can he produce any part of what he wrote oh so many years ago, and again, if he can, so what?

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

LucyB, Philadelphia, Pa — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 21:59:05 GMT

Gee whiz ! You mean that we might actually find out what Obumma really believes ! Outstanding !

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

A.B., Arlington, MA — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:08:50 GMT

You have quotes from Obama's college professor, Michael Baron, and he reveals that Obama was a gifted student who wrote a non-controversial thesis on Soviet decision-making and the issue disarmament. What else is there to say. His professor acknowledges that there is nothing particularly noteable or polemical in his writing, so why are we assuming there is. To call BO a liar is absurd. Because Mr. Bossie can't find any damning evidence is his problem, not Obama's.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Oakland, CA — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:10:06 GMT

Hello All; The way to handle this situation is to ignore it. To try to explain anything is to fuel this curiosity. I do not care if he could find it, lost it or doesnot want to share it. It is his business. Who Cares?

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

C Woo Spokane, Wash — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:15:39 GMT

stupid....

too bad you are not smart like Obama!

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Michael, Seattle, Wash — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:26:16 GMT

I've only been out of college for 3 years and I don't have my senior paper. I probably don't agree with the whole thing anyway. I wonder if David Bossie has his?

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Kay P Tempe, AZ — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:30:52 GMT

And is there an ad for McCain's military records? Or do we need Dan Rather to hunt them up?

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

benvictor, virginia — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:31:29 GMT

More important than the missing thesis is his missing birth certificate. Is there one on file in Hawaii that clearly reflects he is an American citizen? He produces on, but it lacks the authentication marks we all have. Hopefully, he can produce the birth certificate before the election, so as not to waste our time. The thesis is critical for it will show just what he wrote. If he cannot produce it, then we assume he is a boldfaced liar.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Steven Skinner, Atlanta, Georgia — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:32:33 GMT

Well, I went looking for my senior paper I wrote on the Soviet Union educational system in 1984. Whoops, I can't find it. I used a typewriter (fancy that). I guess someone should sue me.

I challenge anyone here to come up with their 1984 and earlier senior term paper. Let's be clear, I disagree with Senator Obama on most of his positions and highly doubt I will vote for him. For those of you hoping this is something to go after..PLEASE GET A LIFE...or produce your own 1984 and earlier senior paper...

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

sglenn14@tampabay.rr.com — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:32:41 GMT

David Bossie should be paid minimum wage while working on the location of Obama's paper. The old minimum wage. Research whats' behind the high price of oil or who is behind it.

Sharon from Tampa, Fl

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Elaine, Princeton, NJ — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:35:17 GMT

What does this tell us about Obama? That he either doesn't keep all his old stuff or doesn't keep it in a way he can find it easily. Fortunately, when Obama is president he'll have staff to archive his papers and so his personal toss-it vs. pack-rat orientation will be irrelevant. I'm in my 50s and still have all my graduate school, college, and probably many of my high school and earlier work, but not all of it where I can easily find it. I don't consider my pack-rat tendency to be something that qualifies me for President, though. Hmm.. if it does, maybe I should consider a run in '16.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Tougher than You Fool — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:35:21 GMT

Sheribaby, St. Louis, MO you get real and quit harassing other opinions! Lucy has a right to her opinion without it being turned racist by some half-wit like yourself! OSAMA OBAMA is a loser! McCain all the way!

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Terry Taylor, Austin, TX — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:35:38 GMT

What a waste of time. I thought this article was going somewhere and then I find out you have no ending. My College work hit the trash when my grades hit the mailbox.

Who up there thought this was a news story. Obama can't find his college papers from a25 years ago.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Brian Midland,TX — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:36:29 GMT

people who write their comments really, really, really should check their spelling

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

gpag — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:37:32 GMT

You know, I was going to write a serious comment about the column, but decided you're just not worth it.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

dka, NYC, USA — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:42:05 GMT

If Obama had awritten a thesis he would have framed it in a gold frame studded with photos of himself glued to the frame all around. I do not consider him smart and wonder how he got into Columbia. But, perhaps in my day we had to have high grades to get in and keep them to stay in.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Susan, Los Angeles, CA — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:42:37 GMT

Helllloooo it was a COURSE PAPER for Pete's sake! Who among you out in cyber-space (predating coursework completed and saved on PCs) saved the boxes of papers that finally got tossed after x-number of moves! PLEASE find something more worthwhile to use your many talents.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Glenn, Sacramento, CA — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:43:20 GMT

The "flip-flop" mantra of the right wing is getting old after so many uses. Perhaps they need to look at Mr. McCain's position changes over the years to curry favor from the extreme right of his own party. Even if positions and views do change, isn't that a sign of evolution and advancement based upon new information . . . or do we do as "W" does, stick with a plan and a position no matter how wrong or outdated it may be.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Ron, Bremerton, WA — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:43:54 GMT

This is simply another disgusting example of how both the left and right operate on a daily basis, and it is pathetic!

They both attempt to dig up as much dirt on each other as possible while our drooling media hold their buckets!

We are in terribly deep trouble here folks! These two birds are the best their respective parties can field? Better learn Chinese!!

And we have no one to blame but ourselves.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

tellinya — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:45:00 GMT

I wonder what bottom of the class McCane wrote?

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Amazed at this conversation. Seattle, WA — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:47:18 GMT

I couldn't wait to get rid of all of my college papers and books and notebooks and.... Once you go to work and live in the real world - who cares? I can't figure out why anyone would want to lug those around for 20+ years.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

N Danielson Aurora, OR — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:47:36 GMT

Once again, empty suit b. Ho, proves he's a man of mystery, able to change any position he may have to yours and back again. obamesiah, your disciples await!

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Wililam Thomas — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:48:50 GMT

just go back to hyping on the fact he wanted to be president since third grade. that will convince those that care to vote for mccain.

silly rabbits!

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Jim, Nampa Idaho — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:49:32 GMT

There are plenty of valid reasons not to trust Senator Obama. The inability to find a term paper is not one of them. I have no idea where mine is, either.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Carl R. — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:49:42 GMT

Mr. Bossie: You are so right. Barack Obabma is a liar. He gave me the paper to hide. I have it under my matress. Contact me at 1600 Punnsylvania Ave. Ask for Karl. Hurry.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Ezana, Denver, CO — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:51:06 GMT

Wow, that's reaching. You think they're looking for the results of his last prostate check, too?

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

N Danielson Aurora, OR — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:53:12 GMT

there is really no need to exaggerate any of b. ho's gaffes, or dig deep for any of his obvious inefficiencies, he's so full of them, as well as full of himself. this is just another of many mysteries surrounding the messiah. the uniter. lmao.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

R Fairbanks, Kirkland, Wash — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:54:09 GMT

Why even give this non-story space on your Website? It is ridiculous. If this was a graduate thesis or dissertation or an important document that he wrote after his undergraduate days, it might merit some press time; but who keeps undergraduate papers for 25 years?

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

mario, charlotte — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:54:34 GMT

hey dummy even the article says it could not have been a thesis pls read
The dog ate my homework?
Columbia University can’t help solve the mystery, either. The university says that it never had a copy of the paper in its archives, and doesn’t today. A spokesman said that no student technically could have written a thesis in 1983, since the university didn’t even have a thesis requirement for undergraduates then.

"At the time Barack Obama was a student, the political science department had no mechanism by which undergraduate political science majors in Columbia College could receive recognition for writing an independent thesis,” said university spokesman Robert Hornsby. “The department's procedures for students to write theses were created in the 1990s."

Obama’s spokesman seconds that notion: “Senator Obama did not write a thesis, in fact, Columbia's political science department didn't even begin offering the option for College undergraduates to write independent credit theses until the 1990s, well after Obama had graduated.”

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

David Guilmette, Pacifica, CA — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:55:45 GMT

WHAT???
"Another example of why many people do not trust Barack H. Obama.

John Doe Seattle, Washington (Thursday, July 24, 2008 2:24 PM)"

No...it's just another example of how many people are stuck in stupid, and hide behind fake names, John Doe.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Walt D, Kokomo, Indiana — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:56:00 GMT

This is both sad and disappointing that McCain, the so-called straight-talker, along with his staff, is always looking for some dirt on Obama. Fortunately,they haven't nor will find any.

So what's the big deal about the thesis. I have many papers I've not kept from my college days. And I know other folks throw out their stuff too.

It is sad too that McCain and his campaign staff are constantly blaming, criticizing, condemning and putting down Obama for whatever he does. McCain is so negative. For example, McCain blamed him for not going to Iraq. So he goes to Iraq, though not at McCain's direction as McCain would like to believe, and then McCain thinks he should have stayed home.

Along with that, McCain clearly displays a lack of geographical knowledge about countries which makes me wonder whether, like Bush, he will send soldiers to the wrong country to fight a war. Plus his many gaffes make me wonder whether some of his brain cells are deteriorating. I am very concerned about that as well as for him as a person. I'm four years older than McCain. I know my memory too is not as sharp as what it was when I was in my 60's. My sharpness in memory concerns me too. But at least I have the good sense to stop teaching and not to offer myself as a candidate for president lest my judgement impair the country and the world.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Jo, Portland, Maine — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:56:08 GMT

This is another desperate attempt by the McCain cronies to discredit Obama. Even if they did unearth this paper, I would put money on the fact that something written with his intellect would be too difficult for any one of McCain's crew to understand. I would like to see McCain's grades from the Naval Academy....bottom 1% of his class...what an honor.
Since when is a crime in America to be intelligent? I would rather have a well educated, brilliant, "elite" running the country than a D student (not to mention elderly) fool.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

CliveBing, Colorado Springs, CO — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:56:33 GMT

This brings to mind how difficult it was to scrape up anything proving that Bush was AWOL for most of his time in the Alabama National Guard. Part of the reason for this difficulty had to do whth the fact that Bush was governor of Texas between the time these documents went missing and the time the Supreme Court appointed W president in 2002. However, knowing Bush, it makes good logic that anything proving Bush broke the law must have been sent through an industrial grade shredder. Nowadays, he covers his crimes with executive privilage.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Kim, Bloomington, Indiana — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:57:16 GMT

I'm curious.

We know this nonexistent paper exists, how?

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Corey Gabriel, Santa Barbara, CA — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:59:44 GMT

We would all be better off if McCain had a complete psychological profile and evaluation done, with the results fully released to the public. After all, he was a Communist prisoner subject to brain washing for 5 years. He may be the "Manchurian Candidate."

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

David Guilmette, Pacifica, CA — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:01:31 GMT

Hey, let's be fair and find out what John McClone and Grand Dad talked about in the golf cart the other day...maybe we'll find out what state their going to rig this time around in the next election!

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

DM, Seattle — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:01:59 GMT

RE: "We will speak at the poles"

Because those people in Warsaw need some stern lecturing.

Seriously, this is a laughable non-issue, and this isn't four years ago. Stop trying to make Americans into crackpots.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Paul, — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:05:09 GMT

Missing papers vs. missing character? Hey Gary Obama is gonna win......uh Obama is a liar....lame. Hey cons....how about a savings and loan scandal? you wanna talk liars? please......so sad.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

D.Tracy, Clifton, Arizona — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:05:11 GMT

I don't believe all you people, you fell right into Jim Popkin's hands. He had a second rate article about some clown named Blossie trying to dig dirt on a presidential candidate. Had he, Mr. Popkin, not added the alledged quote by Mr. Blossie calling Mr. Obama a liar, nothing would have been said. But here we are, screaming foul. Perfect save Mr. Popkin, perfect save.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Paul, CA — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:08:08 GMT

Ever notice a majority of the idiot cons leave names like john doe instead of real names? I would not leave my real name either...........pathetic.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Ed Ruttledge, Olympia, Washington — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:09:15 GMT

This quest reveals the vacuity and self-confirming irrelevancy of the Right.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Angry American — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:10:01 GMT

CAN MSNBC's Board of Directors allow those the hired as Journalist to do their jobs, and not try to fudge who and what they report. If they want to feed the American people "Kool-aid" the BOD should become lobbyist or Politicians. We are not stupid, do not try to rid Americans of our Civil Liberties so you can have another SLAVE nation. Create your own crazy Country, and leave the rest of the SANE People of the World alone.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Nocrap — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:10:44 GMT

Another example of Nobama hiding something. We know he's got it, so why doesn't he come clean.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

BeeJay Charlotte,NC — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:10:52 GMT

Gary Evans wrote that Obama's brain is missing. Well, that's polls not poles. He obviously ranks smarts above those who are wasting their time on these witch hunts.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Bernd Westphal, Clifton Park, NY — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:10:59 GMT

I do not know yet whether I will vote for Obama or McCain, but calling Obama a liar because he can not find a 25 year old college course paper is simply ridiculous. In 1983 there were no good word processors around and those files were difficult to convert to MS Word. I do not have any office files from the 1980s any longer too, and who has the space to collect paper copies.

But to help out the Republicans a little, I can not remember well what I said a year, a month or a week ago. I was always amazed that people expected Nixon to remember all those things he had said those times ago!

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Harper, Marianna, FL — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:11:48 GMT

The Republic Party is reduced to nothing more than Smear and Fear. That's all they have.

So far we've tried an old president (Eisenhower), we've tried a crooked president (Nixon), and a movie star president (Reagan) and we've tried having a stupid president (Bush). Wouldn't an "A" student in American Foreign Affairs be a refreshing change? Especially when near senile McCain can't remember when the "Surge" really happened and doesn't know one Islamic sect from another?

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Pete King, Rockford, Illinois — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:12:23 GMT

This is a big deal. This isn't any small issue like the military record of someone that went into the National Guard to avoid Vietnam. One that would have shown drug use and an eventual desertion of his duties.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

I asm not spanish — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:12:45 GMT

I do like MCCAin ,but you kow what ?With haters like hannity,beck still under the influence ,,,that goes to Barrack's advantage ......illegal aliens were Germans,Irish,then Italians.....youtook the land .....wer are here to stay ,dot like it ? go back to Europe .....split yourself cause you're mixed anyway..... stop hating .....stop calling yourself christian.....and spread htae........

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Jane Wilson — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:13:08 GMT

Barry Obama:
given the nature of your thesis; how could you stand at the Wailing Wall and "pretend" to pray and leave a prayer roll, as what, a Jew?
Last time I checked you were a Christian. As a Christian at the
Wailing Wall in 1998, I stood at a distance and observed. I was not the remant of "my" temple, but of the Jews of the First Century, A.D. I feel that your " Photo Op" with the wrap and the head cover was just that, a "Photo Op". Shame on You. Your whole tour looks like a " Semester Abroad". What have you learned? Bottom line; Nothing. Leave it to the Professionals.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

David Rhoden, Seattle Wash — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:14:13 GMT

Lets look for the papers Mccain wrote while at the Naval Acadamy. it would help us understand why he finish at the bottom of his class. This is the man we would elect to lead our country into the 21st century, a 72 year old, who finish at the botom of his class. Then again we did elect Bush!!

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Jane Wilson — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:16:19 GMT

What a lame Thesis. Durp. How much time did that take. Any one who has has to write a thesis knows one thing. Sign up with the Prof who will give you the least grief. Give me a break.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

L Michaelson, San Diego, CA — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:19:37 GMT

From what I just read in the article, here is what we know, if we stick to information, rather than supposition: 1) the paper in question was not a thesis in the true meaning of the word and there is nothing surprising or sinister about it not being saved for 25 years; 2) It was an "A" paper and Obama was an exceptional student; and 3) Professor Baron thought enough of his student to write a letter of recommendation to Harvard Law School. The only real evidence we have here suggests qualities I would admire in a President. Everything else is mean-spirited speculation.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

fldiver, Spring Hill, FL — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:20:12 GMT

Quote: (from John Grant)
Does anyone who would vote for Obama actually work for a living?

Obviously not--they are all here posting during regular business hours--most likely with their cups of Kool Aid beside them.

Oh yes! Let's vote for the ex-community activist because he is so adept at reading from a teleprompter. Let's vote for a lackluster freshman senator. Let's vote for an untested, unvetted Marxist. He is the most liberal major party candidate to ever run for president.

God help this country if he wins, and morphs us into the United Socialist States of America.

Oh yeah, by the way--the reason he drew such a large crowd in Germany was because of the rock bands and free beer and brats. If I was in Germany, I would have been there as well.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Dave, Cincinnati, Ohio — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:20:55 GMT

It's so obvious from this that Barack Obama is a liar and a closet Muslim and hates whites and eats children. GO BUSH! USA RULES!

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Ron,Nogales, AZ — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:21:25 GMT

Who really cares about a missing thesis written 25 years ago. I think Senator McCain and the Republican Party have more important problems to worry about.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

K.R., Burlington, Iowa — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:21:33 GMT

As a fellow American voter who is sick and tired of going through the circus of the presidental election every four years, I beg you to start sticking to the issues. Americans are concerned about groceries, rent, gas and getting their kids through college so they can make their own lives better. Stop nitpicking. When Obama is asked a question, he answers it. When McCain is asked a question, he pulls out trash from his political garbage bag and flings it at Obama. Voters need to appreciate their right to vote more and make an informed intelligent choice instead of hitting the polls to vote for someone who makes a big deal over a missing 25 year old college paper.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Tim, Danville CA — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:22:17 GMT

Forget the papers. Obama is a Marxist.. plain and simple. The last time a country elected an official with as little mettle as Obama was in 1932 Germany. A little corporal promised the masses food and employment, AND respect among the nations. He offered them change. And change he gave them. Go back to day 1 of Obama's campaign, and you will see the real Obama.. not the middle leaning vote getting guy now..
Pastor Wright and William Ayers give you more of an idea of what Obama is all about!

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

ferenc — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:22:30 GMT

the far far left wing of this country, formerly known as the usa, will do anything to hide the truth about the devil, i mean obama.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

T, AG, CA — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:23:12 GMT

Let's see Bossie's senior thesis. Oh, that's right, Bossie never actually graduated from Maryland, he just "attended". What a worthless human being.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Lisa Victor, Los Angeles, CA — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:23:42 GMT

David Bossie should be fired! Purely nonsensical! Do these people (right-(broken)winged republicans) actually believe this nonsense or is this their lam attempt at brainwashing the small percentage of retards that actually think Obama's thesis paper is relevant today --- 25 years after it was written.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Michael Marowitz, Dominical, Costa Rica — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:26:36 GMT

I noticed that, in two comments above, Gary Evans argued that (1) Obama's brains are missing while also proclaiming that (2) the American people are waking up to NBC's and MSNBC's bias against McCain and will show what they've learned at the "poles." Does he mean wooden uprights or Polish people? Why must conservative ditto-heads be such idiotic nitwits?

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Madeleine, Seattle, WA — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:26:36 GMT

Jocelyn, learn to read (the article). It wasn't a real thesis!

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Pat Wade, Phoenix, AZ — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:27:24 GMT

Now how long ago was the college education? I HOPE we are not voting based upon college writings. None of us were sane while we were in college. We need to get back to nominating delegates that are qualified and that represent the best of America. I haven't seen one of those in years...

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Grizzlybare Mt Vernon IL — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:27:56 GMT

I am amazed, to say the least, that anyone would question a "non-issue" paper written when the undergrad student was approximately 22 years old. The fact that the paper is not in hand allows the "swift-boating" that the GOP relies on so readily. I am certain that the professor and Obama wish they had the paper to produce so that everyone could see how meaningless it really is. But that would deflate the GOP sails. They really don't want it produced.

To see how the candidate really feels about foriegn policy, take a look at this "Current" stuff.

http://www.brasschecktv.com/page/325.html

This is a real eye opener and should be sent to every voter.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Bill, Atlanta, Texas — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:29:27 GMT

What a hatchet job.
Let's discuss the guy who graduated in the bottom 1 percent of his class. Write a paper? Heck, could he spell his name?

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Tim, Danville CA — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:29:39 GMT

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Steve, Minneapolis, MN — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:30:30 GMT

Your kidding, right? The corporate media should spend even this much time on McCain's lie with Ms. Couric the other night (and CBS' attendant covering up/editing/violating their corporate journalism policies

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Ana Woods Porland OR — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:31:39 GMT

Don't we have better things to do then look for a paper? WOW there are so much more things to search or think about! Did you save your college papers? I doubt it.
Need to be concern on the issues now!
Bringing our BOYS home
Heathcare
Oil prices
and the prices of everything going up but OUR PAYCHECKS.
thank you

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Registered Republican, Tx — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:32:55 GMT

I am a registered Republican, and I very likely will not vote for Obama, but you have to admit this has to be about the most stupid crap written about his character so far. But it is only July.....

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

hadrose, phoenix, AZ — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:33:44 GMT

To my dismay, I inadvertently wiped all of my undergraduate and law-school papers off of a hard drive years ago. I have looked and looked, even pulling old hard drives from computers in my basement looking for them. I lost them all. Including a great paper on polygraph evidence that I wrote in law school where I discussed the Raskin method etc. He's not lying. He lost the paper that predated the digital age where storage was much easier. If this is what the conservatives have, they are in real trouble. A missing paper? Can it get worse for the Republican brand. I am very conservative on many more issues than not, yet find myself siding in Obama on this one. We need to rebrand this party and get rid of the idiots that promote what they say is the current platform. Of course, these right-wing nuts are as crazy as the left-wing greenies. They are an embarassment to the rest of us. Bummer.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Ahmed, Pittsburgh, PA — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:39:20 GMT

I think Obama's appeal for a change also include this kind of politics where you would be forced to read an analysis whether presidential canditates frequency of sex with his wife will have a positive/negative effect in decision making? Sorry, we really need a change.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

mary, santa barbara, california — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:39:59 GMT

Absurd. I have three degrees. The only thing that I kept was my PhD dissertation and only because it was bound. I don't even have it on disc. In 1983, everything was paper. Who would keep a thesis paper from undergraduate school? Goes to show you that Obama is not as arrogant as you think.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

headhoncho, las vegas, nv — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:40:48 GMT

There Osama Obama goes again. He IS a LIAR, an even bigger one than Bill. There is someting in that paper that he does not want anyone to see.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Brenda Hunter — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:43:26 GMT

I've lost one of my MA theses. I've search and searched but can't find it. It think it got lost when I moved cross country. It's not a lie. I don't have it, although the university probably has a copy, because it was an official thesis.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

jimmy jimmy, new brunswick nj — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:43:42 GMT

i think this is a complete non issue. i agree with what most people are saying, the paper was written over 20 years ago and it would be impossible to back it up. also the thesis was written when the guy was 21 or 22 yrs. old. everyone in there youth is going to be a little bit more extreme in their youth. I mean that is why they made the age to run for president 35.

p.s. calling someone a flip flop is the oldest lamest political tactic in the book.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

educated ron , los angeles — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:44:29 GMT

People are looking for anything and everything they can think of to try to hurt Obama. I am 41 years old with Masters and have no idea where a lot of papers and tests are. I do have my masters theses on floppy disc. This is an undergraduate paper we are talking about in 1983. Obama is so positive and clean that all the media can do is try to twist current words like saying middle class people who are tired of being ignored in government are bitter and turn to family, religion and guns. Basically attacking him for saying the sky is blue and that water is wet.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

P. Watkins, La Porte, Texas — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:44:36 GMT

Good Gawd! What is wrong with all these people who are so obsessed with papers written in undergraduate classes so long ago by anyone. What are they looking for? I suspect they are hoping for smoking gun. You know, Obama was actually a "terrorist" for the Soviet Union, and exposed himself in an undergraduate paper in college never dreaming that he would one be running for the Presidency? This reminds me of the billboards back in the 60's proclaiming that MLK, Jr. was schooled in Russia! I received my M.A. over ten years ago, but I doubt I have many papers written in undergraduate school and not much more in grad. school. I saved them for about five years, then started rereading those notebooks one day during house cleaning. I decided they were not important enough to save into perpetuity. I was just beginning to use the computer in my undergratuate days. I did keep most of the papers written in graduate school, but only because they were done on the computer. They are listed somewhere in my documents, but I have not read them since graduation school. At some point I will probably delete them for space. Don't these critics of Obama have anything else to attack than his early educational career. From the little that I have heard of McCain's higher educational career, he was much like Bush, Jr.; a party animal, not a scholar! By the way, did anyone ever try to find one of Bush, Jr.'s college papers? Oh, I forgot, he probably never wrote one himself the whole time he was at University! It always amazes and amuses me the way these Republicans can rip apart the whole history on any Democratic candidate for office, and completely ignore their own candidates. It is usually the Democrats that seek the higher ground. It may be about time that they learned to stoop as low as the Republicans. Sometimes you just have to fight fire with fire. It seems that a large percentage of Americans are fooled by such low-ball playing. If they hear it in an email or a sound bite, they are prone to believe it! Come on, We-the-People! Start paying attention to the issues instead of these guys who have nothing more to do that practice witch hunts against oponents and say what they think you want to here instead of what they really believe. I mean if you can't win any other way, dirty pool will suffice for them. Can't we start looking at what is truly important, and that is to get a fresh start in this country. McCain is simply the Bush administration continuation. Bush was a figure head for something/someones much bigger than himself and that is all that McCain will be, if he is elected. We need someone who is from outside the Washington loop. Someone with fresh ideas and the willingness to put them into action! McCain has simply been changing his story ever since he started running. He wants to stay in Iraq a hundred years, then just until the job is done, next he will be bringing the troops home tomorrow. Because suddenly the job is done and the war is won! Poor Obama, McCain tries to explain, simply cannot see the trees for the forest. But I see that Obama is the one with the fresh ideas that the Republicans are jumping on as quickly as they can. Wake up, People, smell the same old stench coming from the Republican Party campaign tactics. They will say anything to win, then do exactly what Bush has done.... exactly what they want to do in order to make the rich richer and the rest of us destitute! They'll almost succeeded already. God help us if they get even four more years! The U.S. of American will be just another third world country! That is just how stupid they see the public to be in this country!

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

educated ron , los angeles — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:44:54 GMT

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

CHERYL, ATLANTA, GA — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:48:47 GMT

I WOULD LOVE TO SEE SOMETHING FROM YOUR COLLEGE WRITINGS, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO BET IT WOULD NOT BE ANYTHING OF SUBSTANCE, OR FACT, TRY WATCHING THE SOAPS AND DISCUSS POSSIBLE CHANGES IN THE FALL LINE UP, FORGET POLITICS PEOPLE NEED REPORTING WITH SOME SIGNIFICANT FACTS

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Farren Flynn, Helena, Montana — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:50:56 GMT

I don't consider myself right wing, left wing or anything else. I don't really care if he wrote a paper or not. I don't trust the guy yet, that could change, but then i don't trust McCain either.

When any of you try to slam another with right wing, left wing or other verbage it simply shows you are the extreme oposite. Why don't all of you try being Americans for once instead of Dems or Reps. The reason our country is in the condition it is in is because we all draw lines and will not work it out. Try to remember that whether Obama or McCain gets elected, they are 1/3 of the power of the nation. Do we disreguard the others. Do we lay no blame on the Senate or House for the condition of the nation. Stop thinking the president is all that matters. A Dem senator from Montana controlls the finance committee, he probably has more power than the president with the economy. I don't see anyone pointing a finger at him.

Look at the voting record of all your elected people, if they vote party line, get them out. Both parties have good ideas that are killed by party line voting.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

David Welts, Seattle, WA — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:51:41 GMT

For all of us in our 40's; who has copies of the papers we wrote in college?... and for those who do......WHY??

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Blue-stater — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:52:31 GMT

Has McCain provided his college papers? Wait, did he write any?

I wrote my thesis 2 years ago and can't find it now. Obama wrote his 20+ years ago, before law school, probably on a type writer. People need some perspective. It would be more odd if he could find it.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Ernest McNeely Estancia NM, emcneelyj@hotmail.com — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:53:01 GMT

I am proud to be a recovered Republican. After reading this article, I'm embarassed to admit that I ever voted that party line. I couldn't locate my masters thesis if my life depended on it; much less any undergraduate papers. Those who saved all that ar either anal retentive, or much prouder of themselves than I.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

J.D., Columbus, OH — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:53:53 GMT

1) I have only been out of school for 8 years and I am greatful that I can't find my papers from back then even if I tried. My opinions have changed, and I am sure many will change again in another 10-12 years. Therefore, what he wrote 20 years ago really has little relevance to what he is thinking today.

2)However, if all of you "conservatives" are so upset about a missing paper, perhaps while you are searching for lost writings, you can dig up a few of those missing White House e-mails. Better yet, put your own pens to the paper and help McCain come up with a cohesive campaign strategy other than to be on the defensive against Obama.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Jim, Los Alamos, NM — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:53:54 GMT

Just goes to show you how scared the right wing conservatives are. They screwed up under "Dub" and now they are fighting for their spot on the food chain. Screw em.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

T. Edwards, Newport Beach, CA — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:54:08 GMT

The economy is in shambles; long standing allies overseas have deserted us; the Constitution has been undermined; the current administration has refused to respond to subpoenas; the English Downing Paper substantiates the lengths to which the current administration will go to further their cause; anyone who speaks out, including Republicans, like myself, are branded disloyal and the media is concerned about what a candidate wrote in a senior thesis in college;

Start covering the issues for both candidates that actually matter; otherwise go back to covering the latest Britney Spears new, while the nation suffers.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

smart girl, Portland, OR — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:54:49 GMT

I don't care what he wrote in school 25 years ago. He was just a kid in school.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Deb, St. Louis, MO — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:54:50 GMT

I have been to graduate school for two different degrees. I doubt if I have any of the papers that I wrote those many years ago. I really think Mr. Bossie could find a beter use of his time.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:57:56 GMT

Why in the world any one continue to spreed poisonn so bad? If you a good American you should be proud of the fact that two good Americans are interesting in Presiding over this country for the next term.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

CAMILO SANCHEZ, FARRAGUT TN. — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:00:01 GMT

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Bob Agledor Sr, Little Haiti, Florida — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:00:17 GMT

A thesis/research project written over 20 years ago holds little if any clue at all as to how anyone would rationalized in the present. People evolves along with that evolution are their bodies (chemistry),soul and mind. one's dreams and aspirations to become a certain "thing"; enter a certain profession, sometimes is abandoned or at best re-evaluated eitheir upon reaching that "destiny" or sometimes after a brief exposure to what doing this job entails. The Honorable senator is no "jesus" and is subject to the laws of nature prescribed in the preceding comments. He too should not be judged nor should the likes of Bill O'reily or Sean Hannity be looking for sub-visual/hidden meanings into the so-called Paper Gate. As a haitian who has witnessed the effects of similar undertakings-to find lost past writings of "Papa Doc" and the like by media bud-heads, the outcomes can always be predicted. Wasteful. Take my advice media people, "leave the Obama Thesis story alone."

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Terry — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:04:32 GMT

Haha, I'm 47, and believe me, I couldn't find ONE paper I wrote in college. It is NO surprise that Mr. Obama can't find a paper he wrote 25 yrs. ago.

p.s. I don't support Obama for President, just bringing a bit of reality to some of you witch hunters...some of which I'm sure never even went to college...

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Ann, La Grange, TX — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:04:36 GMT

I know where all my college papers are, and that has been 30 years now that I wrote them. Obama knows where his are, too, but is very scared they will be exposed to the world. That is why he is lying about not knowing where they are.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

aaaaaaaaaaa — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:05:56 GMT

1. It wasn't a thesis, it was a paper that he wrote in undergrad. The article says Columbia didn't have a thesis requirement until the 1990's.

2. Yes, if it were a THESIS, you would expect him to perhaps have it, BUT it was JUST A PAPER!!

3. I've only been out of college 2 years, I don't have ANY papers I wrote.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

ddc, Washington, DC — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:05:58 GMT

MSNBC, this is so beneath you. I cannot believe that you have wasted your alleged journalistic talents on this right-wing desperate attempt to find something that is not there. You're starting to be as bad as Faux "News".

And for you pack rats who have 25+ year old papers, let's hope that the fire marshall doesn't find out where you live.

And for you folks in other countries who are sooo "concerned" about this (e.g., Canada & Poland), last I checked, you can't vote here. So, get over yourselves!!

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

art crouse gettysburg pa 17325 — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:06:43 GMT

Paper or no paper. Any and I say any man that says he has been to all 47 states with two more to go will never get my vote. I think Obama should take some time and sit down and count the stars on the American flag!

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

B. Katz — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:08:25 GMT

Is this kindof like the files that the Clintons lost a few years ago. These Harvard and Yale graduats seem to be very smart people with short memories.

I would not say that too loud: GEORGE W. BUSH graduated from Yale (Then again maybe he never graduated -- I can't see that village idiot from TX graduating from anothing...) Hehehehehe

jl,cs,co (Thursday, July 24, 2008 2:30 PM)

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Axel Harrad — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:09:28 GMT

Please note that, when I was at the Ivy League undergraduate level, students gets their original senior tutorial honors thesis, and copies, returned to them, with red mark grading and comments inserted, just like high school students.

So what's the mystery? Not everyone keeps their school papers, and unless you are boarding up your dorm room and refusing to leave college after your senior year, most people use the trash for this type of undergraduate tutorial homework, which helped get our cleaning deposit back.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

MaryBeth — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:10:50 GMT

I entered college at the age of 37 and I am now 57. I did not take any political science classes, instead I opted for education, social services, and writing courses. Maybe it was because I was an "older" student, but I still have every paper I wrote in my writing classes. Why did I save them? Yes, it was some what of a pride thing (all papers received A or -A's), but the real reason that I saved them was that every time I pull them out of the filing cabinet, I still cannot believe that the words I am reading came from me. I have an average I.Q., but when I read these 20 year old papers, I feel as if someone with a very high I.Q. wrote them. I am proud of my writing abilities to write on a specific subject, I am proud of the grades I received, I am proud of the comments my professors wrote on my papers, so why WOULDN'T I SAVE THEM. If I compare myself to Obama, I would say that his ego is a thousand times plus higher than my own, so if I have 20 year old writing papers, why wouldn't he have saved something that he worked on FOR A FULL YEAR?
For those of you saying that this subject is grasping at straws, your just trying to defend yourselfs, not Obama. This tells me that your stubborn and will be relentless yourselves in defending your candidate, which is obviously Obama. Myself, I am a confirmed Democrat, but this will be the first time in ten times voting for a President, that I will either not vote, or I will vote republican. I refuse to listen to Obama talk about "change", which is nothing but a word, nor will I except his 1 year of senate work experience, (he ran for 2 years so his experience is 1 year) nor will I except any person running for office, specifically Obama, who only complies to the American peoples needs by telling them what they want to hear now, at this moment. He's great at flip-flopping, and if he becomes President, I firmly believe that the people of this great country will pay dearly, and not in a good way. We have a country that is financially broke. We have a country that is always the first to defend the opressed. We have a country that never gives up. With Obama in office, the only thing that will change, is that our financial debt will grow larger. Exam his comments on what he wants your tax dollars to be spent on. If you are rich and don't care where your dollars go, then vote for this soft spoken person. Obama is not the person to put in office, and even though my personal candidate is not running, I will not sit by and watch the likes of an inexperienced fool take office, I will vote republican for the first time in my life.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

C, Stover. Owings Mills, MD — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:11:00 GMT

Funny. I still have my thesis and it's been over 38 years. Any "Ace" student would keep a thesis, as I di, for my children to see and especially for any future work, which I really didn't need it for. But I would think someone running for President would do better than "I don't have it and can't release it" Come on. Let's get real here. He's a "Puppet" The first time he doesn't agree or goes against the grain, he will suddenly be put on a hit list by his secret advisors. Pity he doesn't see that, especially with all the threat he has received.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Jano,Clearwater,Fl — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:14:24 GMT

The problem is that they are not the only 'missing papers'. They cannot find any of his papers or records on his time in the Illinois senate either. Illinois doesn't have them & Barack "thinks he threw them away". So now we don't have much record of achievement in his political life and what we do know is pretty scant. How's that for a man in his 40's that wants to be President?

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

J. Richter, NY, NY — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:15:03 GMT

Lets just start chasing shadows.

-Barack gives aspeech in Germany, McCain criticizes says he would have never given a speech outside this country unless president. Forgot he already did in Canada on NAFTA.

- Barack campaigs, McCain taunts him to go to Iraq. Barack goes to Iraq, McCain is upset, calls it photo op and campaign trip. Rants daily.

- McCain takes credit for the surge. Was corrected that Anbar awakening started before surge. Says all counter-inSURGENCY is surge and was started by Col in Iraq. Yet he is still responsible for it all. Oh lest we forget Barack is to blame for not agreeing with the spending of $2billion a week on a country that never attacked us, had nothing to do with 911 and never had any WMD.

- Barack asks for more troops in Afganistan. Pentagon agrees, McCain changes tune, wants three. not sure if they'll be NATO. Raves that Barack is wrong on everything.

- McCain gives Bush credit for gas falling $10 from $140 to $130. Forgot that they rose from $40 under Bush - largest increase under any recent president. Blames Barack for high oil prices even though agrees problem is 30 years old and Barack is only 3 years in Senate.

I think the picture is clear now. Barack is to blame for everything. McCain gets credit for everything.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Dave Doe, Seattle Washington — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:15:16 GMT

Barack Obama in my book is a person of questionable character. Personally I don't trust a liar and believe he has lied about his faith along with other matters. He will never get my vote, if he was the last person on the ballot.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Linda Rasmussen, San Diego, CA — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:16:28 GMT

I won a departmental writing award with a class paper I wrote as a graduate student in 1987. By the early 90's I had no idea where it was located, and to this day wish I could find it. Neither my professor nor the department kept copies. I guess my honesty and integrity should be questioned too.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Rick Vitale Fountain Florida — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:18:58 GMT

So where is McCains... Or does Moses have a copy??
Stop wasting our time and stick to the issues.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Bruce Ponder, Palm Springs, CA — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:19:21 GMT

The sad part of all of this "nothing-gate" is the Neo-Cons continued efforts to deflect close examination of John McCain.

I am often dismayed to see McMcain with many of the same issues my late Mother went through in her slide down the dementia slope. John McCain is often terse, not well focussed and frequently confused. I remember the last of Ronald Reagans' Presidential term and he appeared to be in the early/middle stages of dementia. I am thankful that he some good people around to help him get through his days.

I don't think we should make that mistake again by voting for John McCain.

Bruce

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Carol Caruthers, Atco, NJ — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:23:35 GMT

I lost the best college paper that I wrote. It was for a History of Science class and it was entitled "Entropy and the Second Law of Thermodynamics." The observations and conclusions in this paper have direct impact on global warming.

Actually, I didn't lose it. I could not spare the $1.80 copying charge and my professor did not return the one and only copy to me. I later contacted my university to see whether they still had it. They did not. I've done everything but try to contact the professor personally - if he's still living, that is. I was in college forty years ago.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Michael, Dallas, TX — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:23:44 GMT

Obama engaged in high level thinking, McCain engaged in the Keating 5 scandal.

In elections all politicans pander to "the future of our country". It appears one of the future of our country worked hard, studied, earned a great education, and is giving back to his country through service to his country. This can also be viewed as "leadership"

Congratulations policitans, your hard work is paying off. Your education policies have helped a young man achieve his educational goals and to make his dreams come true.

My kids are greatful for their future opportunity our country offers.

Yours truely,
A greatful American

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

BILL WIILSON AANDBW@BENDBROADBAND .COM — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:24:01 GMT

IT SEEMS TO ME THAT OBAHMA IS DEALING WITH SMOKE AND MIRRORS. HIS INSIDIOUS GRIN MAKES ME GAG !!!
LETS GET A REAL PERSON TO BE A CANDIDATE NOT SOME DOUBLE SPEAK "WHOEVER"..

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Tony, Heart of America — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:24:52 GMT

Hmmm. It seems many comments in here suggest that most people would not keep a thesis. I wonder... if the Democratic defenders of B.O. wouldn't keep a thesis they worked on for a year it is no wonder the party is in such utter disorganization and chaos. If any sane person spent a year working on a project and decided it was good enough to turn in for grade, they damn well would keep it and should be proud to show it off... but obviously he must of bashed our country again so we will never see it.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

terrence, Kansas City, Missouri — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:25:23 GMT

Sorry, I don't think I could find the equivalent type of quasi-thesis I wrote for a college course with a significant writing requirement (which would have been written four years after Senator Obama's paper). I have a handful from law school still saved on disk somewhere, but that's it.

Not everyone is a big pack rat who keeps everything they have ever written.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Leah Bessette, Bryson City, NC — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:29:06 GMT

This whole thing seems like an effort by a few overzealous nutters in the concervative camp to create a scandal where there is none. Asking a man to produce a paper written in his early 20's more than 20 years later is unrealistic. Few of us save all our college work, especially when its all hardcopy, not digital. Was he supposed to know then to save that one paper for the sake of reporters who'd ask for it 2 decades later? This whole thing just seems ridiculous, even to a lot of dyed in the wool Republicans like myself.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Liz, NJ — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:29:23 GMT

A thesis by Obama that can't be found.
actually there's a pattern to this:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17388372/
http://www.politico.com/news/stories
/0208/8642.html

Obviously, Colleges and Universities keep student thesis. So, all of a sudden they did not keep
Sen. Obama's? Interesting.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Doug McDavid, Kearneysville, WV — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:32:13 GMT

Sorry Republicans, but if you're looking for a lot of dirt on Senator Obama...I'm afraid you've reached a dead end.

You see, Senator Obama is a "new" politician in Washington.

You know, if Bush hadn't been such a loser as President, McCain may have had a chance. Many people, as do I, see McCain as an extension of a 3rd term for Bush.

So to President Bush I say: Thank you so much for handing us, the Democrats, the Whitehouse on a silver platter!

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Steve Marley — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:35:31 GMT

David Bossie, the former congressional investigator and “right-wing hit man... what a sad existence this guy has! Can you imagine spending your lifetime trying to find some shred of evidence to discredit people who are far more talented, intellectual and successful than Mr. Bossie could wish to be.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

petev1,Tampa,Fl — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:37:49 GMT

I cannot even come up with a serious comment on this non issue.
David Bossie stupid is as stupid does.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

SPS, Reading Pa — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:39:39 GMT

It's probably in the same place as GW's military records. Conservatives need to get a grip and take a good hard look in the mirror.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Donna Gilbertson, Austin, MN — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:43:30 GMT

A thesis is not just a term paper! A thesis one works on for a YEAR at a prestigous institution such as Columbia University while attending an eight honor-student is a prestigious opportunity also! Such an honor and so much grinding research and writing, edit, etc. is usually kept in someone's file. A thesis is not just 15 papges one knocks out over night. Trust is built with all levels of society when a person can back up their claims to fame and qualifications with solid evidence. So far I have not been convinced that Obama has either the maturity, the world-wide experience or the solid proof of being a truly productive senator that a presidential candidate needs. Honesty should come in small items as well as in large claims. We learned several years ago that character and honor ARE essential when choosing a president.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Prem Das, Johore Bahru, Malaysia — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:44:42 GMT

whats the fuss all about? He is just a man aspiring for a job presently occupied by a an unadulterated moron.
In the history of the world, there hasn't been a noteworthy black leader, Nelson Mandela included.
Hero worship is a product of an inferior mind. the proof of the pudding is in the eating.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Dennis F. - Charlotte, N Carolina — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:45:40 GMT

isn't it interesting that the majority of the right wingers are 'anonymous' or J. Doe's?? Don't you have the courage to print AT LEAST your first name??

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Robert Sherman, Hazlet, NJ — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:46:58 GMT

Why would anyone save a copy of a paper they wrote as a college student over 25 years ago? For what purpose would someone keep it? You can't frame it. You probably won't ever read it again. I don't think anyone else would want to read it. I threw my stuff out long ago.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

DaveCB, The Bronx, New York — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:47:24 GMT

In the search for well-written theses, perhaps one will be discovered that offers a brilliant analysis of the limitations of a 'world leader' who achieved age 40 before recognizing that he was sucking up too much suds, followed by opinions about those who adore him.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Sotarr The Wizard, Somewhere Outside DC — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:48:39 GMT

I'm 47. **I** still have my major papers from college, especially my senior research projects. I was proud of them then, and am proud of them now. . .

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Lee C. New Lexington, OH — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:48:57 GMT

If the media is going to make Obama's college record a point of the campaign, then let's inspect McCain who graduated from the Naval Academy in the bottom 6% of his class. We have already endured one mediocre student, is another something we can survive?

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

K. Bassar — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:49:56 GMT

This Bossie guy is just a very good stupid one. He cannot himself recall the words he wrote to his wife 4 years ago, if he has one wife. Because most of the conservatives come out pretending they hate homosexuals, but check in the past recent years, how many so called respectful conservative house representatives have been publicly caught as gays. They all are liars and hypocrit, and Bossie is just in line with his group of shhhhht.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Annette, San Antonio, TX — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:50:13 GMT

I don't have my papers from college either and if I did I would read how naive and uninformed I was. I would see how silly my thoughts were at that age (I remember...they were really silly) In 1983 we weren't thinking of keeping things like that forever. The huge influence of computers and digital memory came after that. That's just stupid talk to take our minds off the fact that McCain is an idiot and sounds as stupid as Bush. Perhaps the problem is that they can't believe Obama was just always that intelligent all the time. Give it up...as earlier stated...they're grasping at straws. Please don't make me have to hear and see that idiot McCain all the time for 4 years!!!

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Andy, Phoenix — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:56:41 GMT

I have absolutely NONE of my college papers, and I seriously doubt anyone has them... This is just digging in desperation

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Jim — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:56:50 GMT

” declared David Bossie, the conservative activist. “ DUH, what would anyone expect Bossie to say? And even if it was a "position" paper, who among all of us have not changed their views about certian ideas' etc. in the past 25yrs.? Come on, this is why elections suck, they spend more time looking for dirt the addressing the important issues.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Dorothy, Portland,OR 97212 — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:58:10 GMT

If Barack Obama were lying, I'm sure he could find something more important to lie about other than about misplacing or losing his Senior thesis.
This whole thing is RIDICULOUS! Dave Bossie, GET A LIFE!

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Theresa S, Portland Oregon — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:58:37 GMT

I think there are many more important issues that Americans need to discuss, rather than a 25 year old thesis. You can smell the republicans desperation in the air....can't you?

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Mark, Dunkirk NY — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:59:49 GMT

I graduated from college in 1985, the world was a different place then. Term papers were typed on typewriters, remember those. Let's talk about something of substance.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Bernie, Houston, TX — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 01:03:21 GMT

"Did you keep your college papers?" My thesis - YES!
A thesis is no ordinary college paper! I graduated in 1982 and wrote a thesis and I still have it at my work desk. Something as important as a thesis would not be casually tossed away!!

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

David Cohen, Bethesda, MD — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 01:07:07 GMT

This attack on Senator Obama is coming from supporters of those who can't find e-mails on substantive issues in the past five years (although official e-mails of potential legal import are required to be saved), who laundered White House e-mails by sending them through the RNC, and whose top officials' most frequently repeated response to questions about major decisions over the past few years is one or another version of "I can't remember ..."

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

elise young — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 01:08:34 GMT

Interesting....Michelle Obama has her thesis she wrote at Harvard....I'm sure Barack has his also and doesn't want the scrutiny that Michelle's received.

You may throw away insignificant papers, tests, etc...but you don't throw away a thesis. Doesn't happen.

What makes this have news legs is the perception that he doesn't want the scrutiny; therefore, he either still agrees with the premise of his thesis or it's so over the top, that he can't now defend it.

Obama is way too egotistical to not have his written thoughts and words saved for his own reflection and adulation of himself.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Tim Clleaveland, Athens, Georgia — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 01:13:19 GMT

Mr. Bossie doesn't care how stupid he looks-- he's that new breed of Republican, like the cowards who comment under the pseudonyms John and Jane Doe.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

g. k. turschman — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 01:13:53 GMT

Republicans offer nothing more than nazi propaganda. Hitler would be proud to be a republican and the republicans would be proud to have him.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Lee C. New Lexington, OH — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 01:13:56 GMT

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Larry Nathanson, Chula Vista, CA — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 01:15:56 GMT

Something as simple as saving his thesis and he can't find it. I guess it really wasn't worth saving, which says a whole lot about this elite socialist liberal progressive...and you want him to lead The United States Of America as President. All the important people don't loose there work. After this election when he looses to the war hero the Honorable Senator John McCain, the self-seeking Berry Obama will be nothing more then a footnote in the National Enquirer.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Tony, Gilbert, Arizona — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 01:17:44 GMT

Its probably not a big deal, but it could be. Obama's past seems to lack documentation. I know I still have my thesis from forty years ago and a course paper from before that, why not Obama?

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Eric May, Lakeland, Florida — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 01:18:32 GMT

What does a thesis justify anyways? A politcal viewpoint outdated by twenty-some years. A lot has changed since that era or decade(s) ago. My assumption is that he recieved an A in class. So to my knowledge, that indicates he is and was at the top just as today.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Kyt — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 01:18:45 GMT

Where is John McCain's thesis? Are you guys looking for that? Oh that's right, he probably didn't have one being that he was the son and the grandson of an admiral, and he was at the bottom of his class. Pretty much like he is right now.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Sue, Woonsocket, RI — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 01:20:21 GMT

How silly....a senior paper, written over 20 years ago, that illustrates how decisions were made....people need to get a life.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Terry, Philadelphia, PA — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 01:20:57 GMT

This entire "missing thesis" story is coming from someone (David Bossie) who has nothing better to do or offer. When are these mindless individuals going to grow up and discuss something of relevance.

Since this issue is so important, why not ask David Bossie for a copy of his kindergarten report card.

It's apparent that David Bossie never got too far in this world yet or ever. Give him a comic book and let him suck on his thumb.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

N Danielson Aurora, OR — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 01:23:01 GMT

an empty suit is an empty suit. look inside my suit. what no thesis? what no substance? what only rhetoric and jorge soros? yep, that's me obamesiah!

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

concerned american who is fed up with the sick degenerate crap . — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 01:23:44 GMT

OBAMA,give them your navel string, first diaper pin,botty,bib,first bowel movement,feed bottle with the nipple,your cat in the hat book, and a picture of these silly sick neocons taking lame ducks to a nursery for potty training.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Ellen, Morristown, NJ — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 01:24:05 GMT

Just another non-story and another reason why many Americans consider the news media shallow and untrustworthy.

Where's McCain's senior thesis? Did the man who graduated 5th from the BOTTOM of his college graduating class even bother to write a thesis, or is that how he got to be such a poor scholar -- by not even bothering to write one.

Cut it out, NBC. You covered up Bush's National Guard service record and now you expect to make a big story out of this? Please do your real jobs and talk about real issues. America needs you.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Eileen, Portland, Maine — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 01:26:54 GMT

If someone doesn't get on this topic and others concerning his license for the bar,state senate records,certificate of live birth certificate of live birth .
The security of OUR NATION is at stake.
Lucy Abrams,Towson
******************************************************You are so right Lucy Abrams, the Republicans must demand proof that OBama was born live! And also the fact that he was born in that foreign country called Hawaii! That's outrageous!!

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

JSorce Zhangzhou, China — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 01:26:59 GMT

Slow day Mr. Popkin? Lacking "investigative" news worthy to pen? Sir you do your readers, your company, and yourself a disservice in publishing worthless material.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

philly — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 01:29:02 GMT

Ugh....it's over kill guys.....the gig is up, folks have figured ya'll out...everyone knows if the right is putting it out there it's............
a. a lie
b. a witch hunt

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Wash DC — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 01:29:48 GMT

A better story is the fact that media is purposely NOT interviewing the old friends of Barrack that he used to do cocaine with. We knew every facet about President Bush's girl friends, college days, his rugby scores, DUI, etc. But not nary a word about Barrack's former life. It's like Barrack just sprang to life in the year 2008 without any past.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Sincerely Disappointed, East Aurora, NY — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 01:30:05 GMT

Mr. Popkin, when you look in the mirror do you see a man living a life of depth and genuine meaning when you spend your life's energy pandering. Just looking at the quality of the comments to your "news story" (from both right and left) should reflect back to you how "enlightening," let alone newsworthy, your efforts have proven to be. How does your work measure up to that of Edward R. Murrow? (Granted, he didn't work in the Entertainment Division, did he.)

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Craig A — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 01:31:55 GMT

We can read papers written from scholars, statesman and presidents hundreads of years ago to the present and yet not from Obama. He has something to hide. I am 45 years old and I still have my major writing from college in the 80's. .

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

ikie12pts Lexington, KY — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 01:33:22 GMT

David Bosse? Exactly why should be know him? He just wants his 15 minutes. Poor man. He probably needs a job more than anything, because it's obvious that he has A LOT of time on his hands with nothing to do.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

searchtheearth@aol.com — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 01:34:02 GMT

Gary Evans says he's going to get back at us left-leaning voters by taking his beef to the 'poles'(sic).

Gee Gary, have a nice trip and wear something warm.

Frankly, although I respect the Senator from AZ, I've already been 'bush-whaked and I don't want to be 'Cain'd.
JMF Melbourne, FL

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Jim Vaughan, Auburn Ca. — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 01:34:05 GMT

The desperation of all these anti-Obama folks must be pretty encouraging to the Obama camp. Is this the best they can do to attempt to make Obama look bad?

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

ikie12pts@gmail.com — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 01:35:28 GMT

Mr. Bosse obviously is independently wealthy because he has nothing else to do but spend his time digging into everyone's background. I say, let's dig into his background. I'll give someone a quarter to find out all about Mr. Bosse.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Bob Muldoon, spokane wash. — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 01:35:31 GMT

another one of osamabama's lies. IF THIS DO ANYTHING TO GET ELECTED socialist doesn't scare you then nothing will.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Foster, Los Angeles, CA — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 01:39:15 GMT

Do any of you seriously still have your papers from college? If so, then why? I finished grad school 7 only years ago, in the age of disk drives, and I'm certain I don't have a single paper. I certainly don't have my papers from college in the 80's. Only an OCD packhound would have not thrown those out by now, and then that person would never be able to find it anyway. The only exception would be a person who turned it into a book. If you had it on floppy you probably wouldn't be able to read it either, and any hard drives would likely have long ago crashed.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Emmanuel Ivoko, New York City, New York — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 01:42:34 GMT

This is nothing but a fishing expedition. A college thesis is not a Phd thesis. It is unusual to find such a squeaky clean politician in this day and age, and they will keep on digging.

Ivoko

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Patricia E. Chitty , Boise, Idaho — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 01:45:40 GMT

I moved a number of times during my thirty eight year career. I can remember the exact move in which I ditched or threw out my college papers. Moving that box one more time was not worth it. When I was retiring, I threw out my Master's papers along with many other graduate papers and notes.Of course,I was not planning on running for President of the United States,just retiring. I just could not see moving the papers again! I think it is entirely possible that Sen Obama does not have the papers or may not know exactly where it is. If the University does not have the papers then they may well be lost. Why call someone a liar just because the papers cannot be found at this time? This is another example of the Conservative Right not being able to speak or act in an objective, rational way.If the papers are so essential to their cause, keep looking but watch the name calling. It is not necessary.I would also wager that not all Universities save their students' Senior papers. Get over it. Sen Obama's voting record or his on file speeches would be just as interesting and far more current!

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

bill charlotte,NC — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 01:47:32 GMT

sad...desparate people.

Can or should anyone be held accountable for something writen years ago while in college? My guess is Bossie (whoever the hell that is) is so narrow minded that he can't grasp that people actually do mature and/or change.... unlike Bossie of course.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Matthew, Long Beach, CA — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 01:51:35 GMT

Wow... not only do I second the view this is a pointless tempest in a teapot, but it's ridiculous to judge any adult accomplishments by a college course paper; I doubt any educated voter of either party would be influenced or care what it has to say.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Mark, Anniston, Alabama — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 01:56:15 GMT

Better to be looking for a Thesis or College paper than a police record, the way we had to with GW.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Marty McGill, Phoenix, AZ — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 01:59:49 GMT

Obama should just say "That is private." These are the words uttered by Resident Bush when asked about his alleged HEAVY hard-core drug use. Who cares what Obama wrote in college. I am concerned about the prospect of 3 months of McCain, followed by 3 years, 9 months of Vice-President Larry Craig. (I am assuming President McCain's head explodes from a temper tantrum directed at his wife, who he has already declared a ...well, you know.)

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Donn Hunt Alexandria, Va — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 02:02:54 GMT

David Bossie is a jerk. If people believe him they are also jerks. Mr. Obama has class, and that's what Bossie is missing. Oh! Bossie your whole life is a lie.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Guy Martin, San Bernardino, Ca — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 02:05:39 GMT

Looks like "The Swift Boat Boys' are starting to go to work again.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

TOM DONAHUE IOWA — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 02:05:56 GMT

I LIKE HOW ONE PERSON SAID IF ANYONE WHO WOULD VOTE FOR OBAMA WORKS FOR A LIVING I DO AND I WILL VOTE FOR THE MAN OBAMA WHY DONT YOU ASK WHY MCCAIN SIGNED A LETTER TO BLAME THE U.S INVASION OF VIETNAM WHAT A TRAITOR , GO OBAMA

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Richard C. Reimers — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 02:24:52 GMT

Deep Background is NBC News’ investigative blog. It covers national security, terrorism, spies, Iraq, and politics, as well as government waste, fraud and abuse. It is edited by NBC News Senior Investigative Producer Jim Popkin.

Mr. Popkin does this article really touch on what you claim your blog is about? I for one have had quite enough of paid character assasins regardless of their political veiwpoint. You diminish yourself and your readers with pap like this.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Yu Betcha, Austin, Texas — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 02:33:07 GMT

I don't have much use for Obama but this is pretty lame. I don't blame the Republicans for looking for the thesis since this falls in the realm of political fun and games. The Democrats are doing the same types of things. Nailing the other guy to the wall has always been what they do best. It helps us all forget that neither party has ever been consistantly good at governing.

I don't disagree with reporting on these activities but this turned out to be a cheap shot...but... I also wonder if MSNBC might just be stirring the pot to keep Obama people motivated since it appears that McCain has revved up his Rascal and done some catching up in the polls.

This is like poking the bear...but not just one bear...all of them which I find kind of funny because potentially this kind of article can pi55 off everybody including me which AINT that funny and which is why I stare at this article and wonder:

WTF???

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Cornholio, Titicaca — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 02:40:14 GMT

Bossie?

Isn't that a cow?

I'm pretty conservative but half the time I can't find my sunglasses.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Mark, Summit, NJ — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 02:41:13 GMT

Thesis for those who have written it, know the value of it. It is a prized possession. It is not easy to write one, but when it is finished and defended - with the validation stamp from the peers - believe me it is guarded very closely, throughout life. The idea is to show it to your kids, grand kids.... everytime the author looks at it - makes him/her smile of the good old college days. Trust me - those who have written it - will not throw it away.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Janet E. Powell, Waianae, Hawaii — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 02:44:30 GMT

Senator Obama showed such "class" on his oversea trip. I was thrilled with his speech in Germany!
I am so dismayed at John McCain's behavior that truly resembles an adolescent bully on a playground! Of course he cannot understand the nuances of Senator Obama's remarks.
McCain's graduating position of 790 out of 795 at the Naval Academy ought to be published. I have to realize that Senator Obama, graduating from Harvard Law School, magna cum laude, is somebody the likes of John McCain can never understand. I read in a blog ahead of me, that John McCain lost 4 planes to pilot error. I knew of two as reported in the Hawaii Newspaper, MidWeek by Bob Jones on July 16, 2008. The office of President of The United States requires an intelligent world-savvy and welcomed Leader. Obama has done his homework and is ready for the position. John McCain, well, he needs to raise the grade on his report card. This teacher cannot give him a "passing" one.
Janet E. Powell, Waianae, Hawaii

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Ethan, Brooklyn, NY — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 02:45:13 GMT

Yes, this is what we care about.

and this wasn't even a slow news day. What's your excuse for running this?

For-Profit information is an oxymoron

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Richard Waters, Springfield, Il. — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 02:45:29 GMT

I note that one of the obviously low information right wing commenters here promises that things will change when they go to the "poles". One can only hope that he and those like him really do - go to the poles.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Tom B, Thomasville, NC (poppopthb@northstate.net — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 02:51:18 GMT

Your blog is obviously biased excessively to the left based on the content of the article and most of the bloggers. Mr. Obama's thesis and college views are obviously pertinent to his evolution politically. I still have my Senior Thesis at age 70. Limbaugh, Hannity and their ilk are excessively biased to the right. The sad thing is that so few individuals now are moderates where bridges across ideas can occur and real progress accomplished. I will avoid this biased blog in the future as I avoid right wing bias.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Damon Kappas, sf, ca — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 02:59:02 GMT

Please tell me the Mccain campaign has a better strategy for victory than hoping this paper surfaces before november.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Bob H, Indianapolis, IN — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 03:02:07 GMT

"Is the missing thesis issue a surprise? Barrack "the flip-flopper" Obama again says something he can't back up... by jane doe, britt, iowa"

This (and the similar comment by "John Doe" of Seattle are beyond belief. What a disgusting, right-wing hatchet job. Do you seriously think that anyone other than others like you will put any credence in your lunatic conspiracy theory regarding a lost college paper from decades ago? How many of your college papers do you have 25 years later? I don't, and I imagine that my experience is typical. You really need to get a life, if this is the best you can come up with in your attempts to "Swift Boat" Obama. This is absolutely insane. Actually, you are providing a strong pro-Obama case, if this is your idea of evidence against him.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

stumills — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 03:03:49 GMT

yes, it is pathetic, and if you haven't noticed, the rest of the world is taking our one-track, one-note, one-dimensional, incredibly extravagent and wasteful government that works for the profit of the few, to the bank.
Unfortunately, our country is so dumbed down,I fear these tactics will work.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Bob H, Indianapolis, IN — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 03:08:37 GMT

" obama is a clever liar, by steve mccallum tigard oregon (Thursday, July 24, 2008 2:59 PM)"

Well that was certainly profound. I see your point--if Obama can't find a college paper from 25 years ago, you have proven that he is a liar. If he can't provide his 6th grade spelling tests on demand, does that strengthen your case?

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Scott Merrill, Olive Branch MS — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 03:11:47 GMT

"The American people are waking up to this reality. We will speak at the poles."

Let us know how the weather is ...the rest of us will be voting at the POLLS.

This is a typical example of the Right (which I used to be one of) simply trying to find something, ANYTHING, on the "other" guy to discredit him/her. Obama's a traitor. Obama wants another holocaust. Obama will lose a war to win a presidency. Obama is secretly hiding a 25-year old paper that shows what he's REALLY all about...come on, people!

Many people who don't like Obama probably aren't revealing the real reason they dislike him. It can't be because he changes his views or flip-flops (McCain has him beat by a large margin when it comes to that). There are people who are logical and don't like Obama for his political views, and I can respect that. However, the vast majority of the people who make slanderous comments about Obama do so in such a simple-minded, lashing way that it really leads me to believe that much of it is racially motivated.

Do I agree with Obama on every instance? No. Do I vote Democrat? No. However, I have two choices in this election cycle, and, no disrespect towards John McCain's great valor and service to our country, but there are too many times when he just sounds like a bumbling idiot. (See Countdown's Keith Olbermann's "Old man yells at cloud").

Seriously, do we want to trust our United States foreign policy to an "expert" that thinks that Czechoslovakia is still a country and also doesn't realize that Pakistan and Iraq are not bordering countries? (Try about 700 miles apart). Or who doesn't know the difference between Sunni and Shi'a? An expert at what, you said?

Obama has his faults. McCain does as well. Just because your Dad, Grandfather and Great Grandfather voted Republican doesn't mean you have to ...or should. Quit being a mindless robot and vote for who you think would best represent your needs as a United States citizen. Period.

Whomever you vote for, know the facts. Just because Obama is black doesn't make him any less a man or potentially a great President. And just because he can't find his senior thesis doesn't mean he's "hiding" something. That's frankly, well ...just silly.

Get the facts. Ignore family tradition. Vote your conscience. And stop worrying about a stupid college paper, for Pete's sake!

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

H. D. Weaver — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 03:12:58 GMT

The tone of this piece is negative and subjective. Grasping for something that is 'wrong'. Let's stay on the real issues.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

ECC — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 03:14:14 GMT

For those of you who fail or refuse to accept the truth concerning his so-called "thesis", Robert Hornsby has told you that the college did not offer THESIS WRITING until the 1990s, "well AFTER Obama had graduated." If you continue to believe that Obama is hiding his "thesis", and you keep looking for a different result, you are in dire need of professional help. Hate will do that to you.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Josei Avanello — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 03:21:49 GMT

Did McCain write something?

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

ECC, Houston, TX — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 03:24:00 GMT

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Ryan, North Canton Ohio — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 03:35:10 GMT

Come on your SENIOR THESIS that you worked a year on and got an A! why wouldn't you keep it! I realize I am only a freshman in college but i hope I can keep a copy of my Senior Honors Thesis when I am old. Everyone keeps say oh some college work from years ago, but again his SENIOR THESIS that he worked so hard on. Come on he has it somewhere.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Independent voter in NY — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 03:40:08 GMT

It's obvious the republicans are getting REALLY desperate. This is all they can 'dig up'? A missing paper from a class taken 25 years ago? It's not even a thesis! It's a paper written as part of a course. I tossed all mine years ago. I expect that this kind of stupidity will only get worse as we near election day. It's so obvious that Obama is head and shoulders above McCain. I used to have a lot more respect for McCain up until his photo op in Iraq a year or so ago when he declared that Baghdad was just like an Indiana city on a summer evening. Meanwhile, he's surrounded by 100 solders, has 2 Apache helicopters flying overhead, and both ends of the street blocked of with armed military vehicles. At that moment, I realized that he was just another republican hack, toeing the party line, trying to sell us what they would like reality to be instead of what it actually is. We do not need another 4 years of republican salesmanship. Obama not only is really smart, but he's demonstrating all of the qualities needed to be a great president. Meanwhile, McCain is doing canned campaign stops in supermarkets that are completely set up. Please everyone, vote for Obama.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Jack, Boston MA — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 03:55:15 GMT

Sad, sad, sad! We are in two wars with no end in sight, a housing & bankning market that is leaving people on the street, and fuel prices that are increasing by the day, yet somehow a 25 year old paper (a PAPER, not a "thesis") written by a college student is important? Do Republicans really believe (or hope) that the content of this paper will overshadow what has transpired in the past eight years? Do they think that we aren't aware of the Bush family's connection to oil and Cheney's connection to Halliburton? Do they think that we can't see the hypocrasy of casting Obama as a Muslim AND an extremist Christian follower of Rev. Wright? I am a true independent who has voted for candidates of both parties but I'm savvy enough to know when someone, or a political party, is playing me and the American public for a bunch of fools. When Democratic President Clinton leaves office with a huge surplus and Republican President Bush leaves office with a huge defecit, not to mention all of the other problems we're facing, it's time to take a hard look at where each party stands. You can't change the past and the recent past ain't good. Republicans had their chance and they blew it big time! Clinton lies about an affair with an intern and he gets impeached. Bush lies about WMD, leading to the deaths of thousand of American soldiers, and we're supposed to believe he is an honorable president? I'll take poor judgement sex over poor judgement DEATH any day! The picture couldn't be any clearer: the Republican Party has lost their way. Obama is not only the best candidate the Democrats have put forth since Clinton, he is truly the right person at the right time. For the first time in years I finally feel like I have a candidate for President that I WANT to vote for, not that I have to vote for.

Mr.Bossie and those that share his opinions need to wake up. The American public will tolerate mistakes but they won't tolerate hypocrites. The Republican party shot down McCain eight years ago for the sake of Bush Jr., now they prop him up as the heir apparent. It's too bad because McCain 1999 was much more appealing than McCain 2008. I welcome the arrival of President Obama regardless of his limited experience, his middle name, or his skin color.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Don Henry, Charlottesville, Virginia — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 03:58:16 GMT

I have all of my Master's Degree papers, but I don't know anybody else in my circle or acquaintances who does. Obama is a Marxist. Who needs a term paper to prove that? Spend your time on something else...like nose candy...you get a real buzz out of that

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Derek, Lincoln NE — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 03:58:25 GMT

Imagine that: the Right attacking their opponents on trivial and unimportant non-issues. They must be getting nervous...

P.S. Once my grades were published in college, all of my old papers were goooooooners. Anyways, how relevant is a paper that somebody wrote years ago?? Give me a break.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Bill, okemos MI — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 03:59:47 GMT

I heard that there was a report entitled "What I did on my summer vacation" that was written at the beginning of eighth grade!! If he doesn't release that, he must be trying to hide something for sure!!

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Josei Avanello — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 04:02:55 GMT

Sen. McCain graduated 894th out of 899 in his college class in 1958. Guess what? He is still my candidate because and I would vote for any Republicain in presidential elections. I would like to read anything Sen. McCain wrote during his college years.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Bill Thomas, Copperas Cove, Texas nanaberry1110@yahoo.com — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 04:04:57 GMT

I am a right wing conservative and work hard for the election of John McCain. I think this type of silly and meaningless witch hunt is childish and damaging to the Republican cause. I frankly don't know that I care what a college student wrote a quarter of a century ago. We don't have any young students running for President. Sen Obama can be defeated on real issues.
William Thomas, LTC U.S. Army Retired

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Bob Doe, Sacramento, CA — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 04:11:20 GMT

Popkin,
Put your neck out there by writing such drivel, and you will find that your name will be associated with drivel, which will result in no one reading your work.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Josei Avanello — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 04:12:14 GMT

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Ami Whitlock — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 04:16:11 GMT

Nonsense, there were plenty of computers in colleges in 1983. I don't buy that there is no electronic copy somewhere. Even my po-dunk community college had a computer. Not to mention I wrote two thesis type papers as an undergrad and you bet after all these years I remember most of what was in them. If BHO can't remember it, then I would worry about his memory period.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Tom , Omaha, NE — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 04:16:27 GMT

I for one was wonderfully encouraged by this story.

I had no idea that Obama had taken such a keen interest in Soviet disarmament.

This is EXACTLY what one should have been concerned about in the early 80's, the years of the Pershing-IIs, the SS-20's and the hair-trigger, 5 minute warning time to oblivion that Moscow was under then.

Then, as now, he was spot on target about world realities.

Thanks MSNBC for the substantive information.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Marsha Aurora, CO — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 04:29:41 GMT

This has got to be the most ridiculous thing I have read yet. But, maybe not since it comes from some ridiculous right wing nut what else should we expect. Come to think of it this is exactly what I have come to expect from all republicans. It is actually very sad. I could care less about a paper anyone wrote in college. Seems like a pretty desperate act to me.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

jason davis, wilkes-barre, pa. — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 04:37:35 GMT

why don't we just take a look at his wifes' thesis? we all know she's full of hate towards whites. just another questionable person obama surrounds himself with. yes a persons friends do come into the equation when he's running for president, as it should. this guy has surrounded himself with people that are clearly bad people but when you question that it's just republicans trying to find dirt, whatta joke.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Ginny, Richland, WA — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 04:45:31 GMT

I have been searching my home for a paper I wrote as a graduate student -- on vikings and how they were indeed geographers. Now that I am old (about 50) and touring viking locations, I want to read my paper from 30 years ago. I thought I had it. I may have thrown it out if it was in a box my cat confused with her litter box. My husband may have used it to line her litter box. It may have become litter.
I hope Obama is better organized than I and has the original -- but i doubt it. If he does, he deserves to be president on organization skill alone!

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Tony, Louisville, Ky — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 04:51:27 GMT

What a bunch of nonsense. I've got nothing and I've only been out of school 12 years.

I'm not saying it's negative in any way to keep such things but if you don't who cares?!?

This is the biggest stretch I have ever even heard of. Where's you papers? Come on!

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

christen, milwaukee wi — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 05:04:56 GMT

Are people on here really questioning his legal status as a citizen? Come on people get it together! Not only is that the most retarded thing to be said all year (aside from protecting the iraq/pakistan border)

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

thesmithster, Baton Rouge — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 05:11:52 GMT

This is contemporary racism at its best. Where is McCain's senior thesis?... What about George W.'s?... What did Cindy McCain write about in her senior thesis? ... Laura Bush? At the end of this election cycle, I hope we will have learned something about ourselves.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Mike, CA — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 05:19:48 GMT

What in this paper over 25 years ago could be so damaging. He's admitted to using drugs, etc. This is just pathetic. If you people need to do this to win elections, that really says something. You have documents of his record going back 20 years in IL and in the U.S. Senate. If you can't beat him on the issues then that's on you.
Why would he even need to release this paper? This is just like that ridiculous kindergarten paper during the primaries. Talk about real issues, not this crap. Or should we go back and revisit the Keating 5 scandal?

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Dan, Los Angeles, CA — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 05:22:52 GMT

I can't believe I used to be a card-carrying republican. Bush and his right wing cronies have just made me sick over the last 8 years. And all these partisan hawks do is try to discredit honest, and smart people like Obama. I am hopeful that we have a very long period of Democratic control, the House, the Senate and President. Bye bye GOP and don't let the door hit you on your old, fat ASS

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Paul, Louisville,KY — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 05:25:22 GMT

I wonder if George W. Bush has donated any college course papers to his future presidential library; let's see one paper in an otherwise empty box......I wonder what wisdom is missing from that classic. Bottom line, conservatives cannot handle the fact that Obama will be President and Bush is gone forever, thank God!

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Russell Huppert, Sandpoint, ID — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 05:29:18 GMT

Hmm, lets see where did I put my papers from college. Think they were thrown out at least three moves ago. God only knows what landfill they are in. Get real very few keep there papers they wrote during college.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Jade in PA — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 05:46:38 GMT

Why don't you ask Bush to produce one of his conference papers? Or McCain?

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Willy Newman — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 05:50:36 GMT

Where is McCain's homework? Oh thats right, he did graduate last in his class.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

David, Gaithersburg, MD — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 06:01:53 GMT

It appears Mr. Bossie is wasting his time and ours for something trivial from a quarter century ago. Even if his views were different as now or the same, it doesn't matter.

Washington, Jefferson, and Adams were loyal subjects of Great Britain until events forced them to change their minds.

Lincoln wrote in his Spot Resolutions in Congress in 1846 that the States' Rights were trampled in the pursuit of an unjust war. We know what he said and did 15 years later, don't we?

FDR was a conservative who tried to keep the US out of the growing maelstrom overseas until events forced his hand. Even Bill Clinton criticized the Haitian refugee policy but he continued the practice of sending them to Guantanamo after he became President.

People grow and evolve and mature. You cannot hold what they say then against them now. Besides the thesis was his work in a pre-PC age so if Obama has it or Columbia U., it must be in some dusty archive.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

theblast, norfolk va — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 06:25:51 GMT

I think that Mr. Bossie is an "IDIOT" if thats the best that he can come up with to smear Mr. Obama. No doubt he is gregariously, conjointed with John MCcain/Karl Rove & President Bush. This is something straight out of the Karl Rove play-book. The bigger issue to me is we elected a "MORON" in President Bush into office. At least Senator Obama has some intelligence which is more than I can say for John MCcain or President Bush. If you were to put both of thier brains in a Duck it would quack "BACKWARDS"

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

sue lang, texas — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 06:30:07 GMT

THIS IS REALLY STUPID! GOING BACK TO SOMEONE SCHOOL DAYS TO FIND SOMETHING THAT WAS WRITTEN AS ASSIGNMENT: BOY, YOU NEED TO GET A LIFE!!!

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Shieltha, New Orleans, LA — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 06:39:38 GMT

Any way it goes Obama can't win with these folks. Lets say the paper is found, they will put their "spin" machine in high gear to twist whatever he wrote into whatever they want it to say.
So they have their make up controversies either way, he lost the paper, he's a liar or hiding something, paper is found and they spin it to their meaning.
Pathetic don't even fit what they are like.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Glenn Guillory, Alexandria, LA — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 06:47:40 GMT

who knows what happened to the paper...but, just for the sake of objective discussion: I HAVE MY PAPERS FROM HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE. I BELIEVED THE INTENSITY OF MY LOVE OF THE TOPICS AND DESIRE TO WRITE GOOD MATERIAL COULD HAVE EVOKED SOME INNER WISDOM IN SPITE OF MY OWN UNRULY DULLNESS, AND SO I KEPT THEM FOR SEEDS FOR CONTEMPLATION LATER. I HAVE PAPERS ON SURVEYS OF LITERATURE AND SOME ON TENNYSON, SARTRE, AND SOME FICTION FROM THE GOOD OLE DAYS IN THE 60s. All were typewriter hand jobs, and all are yellowed. But then also I have a few tens of thousands of pages of personal and writer journals too.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

patrick — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 07:00:56 GMT

To anyone who seriously believes he is trying to hide something I issue you a small challenge...produce a twenty year old paper that you wrote. If you can't you're a hypocrit, if you can you're either a college professor, a nerd or both.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

arlene sobers, Miami, Florida — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 07:17:23 GMT

There are always some people who have 'itching-ears' and this writer's ears must be itching. Why are you trying to dig up papers on Barack? Just so you could say, 'ah-hah' caught you out? Well, this shows that Barack is one hell of a intriguing guy to have you scampering all over the place trying to get a thesis written in the 80's about Soviet Disarmerment. You thrive on negative stories, but let me remind you: "some foolishness are made to confound the wise." The name Barack Obama is showing just that. Let the inevitable be.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Steve, Houston, Texas — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 07:22:17 GMT

This is absurd. I could care less about Obama's thesis. Wake me up when someone finds the Republican Party. Where are the 'missing' conservatives in this country. Remember, the men that stood for small government, low taxes, capitalism, strong military, 2nd ammendment rights? I personally feel Obamais 100% socialist, I can't vote for him. However, I love his passion. Bossie needs to hunt for what's really 'missing' here... a strong conservative candidate for Americans who still think John Wayne is cooler than Johny Depp. I believe America doesn't really want Obama, they simply don't have a choice.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

randy mccloud, rochester ny — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 07:28:49 GMT

gary evans,
That's not how you spell polls.

Lucy Abrahms,
"he needs to come clean about this"? A college thesis? You republians can't be this silly. By the way Obama admits to having experimented with cocain, George Bush, whom I'm sure you voted for twice, was a full fledged coke head, and alcoholic. Of course he says he doesn't remember if he used coke, or not(as documented in Scott McClellan's book). I think you would remember that. John McCain graduated at the bottom of his class as a cadet. Barack Obama graduated from Harvard. Again...you republicans can't be this silly. Talk about college thesis, flag pins, Rev. Wright, birth certificates...while Obama talks about health care, affordable education, finishing what we started in Afghanistan, bringing the troops home, the environment, the energy crisis...etc. And you wonder why the republican party is falling apart. even a great number of republicans no longer support it. See you at the inauguration in January. President Obama...I like it:)

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

R Olson, Lake City, FL — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 07:45:51 GMT

Gadzukes, looking for a paper written 25 years ago, about a country that no longer exisits. Maybe we should check further back to see if in grade school he wrote a report about Camalot. I do not particularly even like the man but if you are going to harass him on his position on various issues do it over somthing that means somthing today. In retrospect the only thing I can perceive as threatning on a paper that old would be either taking a position of nukeing the "Ye olde evil empire" into the stone age or capitulating entirely. neither of which I see as anywhere near possible nor likely.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Matt, Palm Desert, Ca. — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 07:57:13 GMT

So where's the story on McCains missing navy records, oh there not missing he's just not releasing them, that sounds like a story in there somewhere so why isn't anybody going after that?

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Kamran, Harrison — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 08:23:12 GMT

Tell Mr Bossie (and whoever wrote the article) to grow up! Who keeps their old college papers and for what reason?!

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Chad C. Mulligan — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 08:32:51 GMT

It's all heartwarming to see all these post ridiculing this, but I'm afraid you're missing the whole point:
"Every time Democrats try to win on Rhyme, Reason and Policy, they lose to Flags & Apple-pie"

All the frontrunners in July, for the last 12 elections, lost in November. So rejoice now, party this month, coz we're gonna be surprised in November. Sadly surprised.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Tony Marren Provo,Utah — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 08:41:27 GMT

I graduated Utah Valley University in 1985,Brigham Young University in 1987,and University of Phoenix in 1992. I have exactly 0 papers in my possession. The need to hold papers is nothing more than eccentricity in my judgement. If anybody steals my research I would laugh.Professors often critized my writing style as academically unique yet gave me decent grades out of feeling I gave projects a decent effort.Do American political dirt diggers need to resort to unearthing ideas from 26 years ago just to create media sensationalism?

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Chad C. Mulligan — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 08:41:46 GMT

J. St. Lawrence wrote:
" Where is Obama's missing 3rd-grade Halloween costume?!!! Where is the plaster cast of his handprint from daycare??!! If he doesn't have one of his college papers, who know what other kinds of nefarious childhood memorabilia he may be hiding?
Teehee. Lathered-up neocons are fun-nee!"

Best one yet.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Elaine — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 09:03:51 GMT

I have every paper written for my Poli Sci and economics classes in l973. Kept them in a navy blue binder and every now and then when I am wading thru the mess in my garage, I look thru them and cringe - did I really write that??

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

fa — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 09:16:21 GMT

it would so sweet if Obama wins even with one vote. It willbe a very sweet victory tom relish more becauseof these false hood

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Frosty, Los Angeles, CA. — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 09:41:27 GMT

This utterly stupid. I'm a graduate student and I don't have any of my papers I wrote last quarter. Besides, it's not a 'thesis' it's just a senior paper...there's a huge difference.

The smell of desperation...ahhhhh

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Frosty, Los Angeles, CA. — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 09:42:23 GMT

This is utterly stupid. I'm a graduate student and I don't have any of my papers I wrote last quarter. Besides, it's not a 'thesis' it's just a senior paper...there's a huge difference.

The smell of desperation...ahhhhh

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Lara, Austin,Tx — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 09:46:18 GMT

another act of desperation from the McCain clowns....WHO CARES - and incidentally if someone wanted one of my papers I wouldn't be able to find the stuff either but I will say it again - WHO CARES???

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Gary Michael, Anchorage, Alaska — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 09:57:58 GMT

Mr. Popkin
Is this silly article and meaningless subject the reason you went to college, studied journalism, and then presumably worked very hard to become a "News Senior Investigative Producer?" If not, then stop this nonsense. If so, then all I can say is, how sad for you and for your readers.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

John Post, Burnsville NC — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 10:26:22 GMT

McCain's plane was the first hit by the errant missle on the Forrestal - he had it running and should have driven it off the deck in to the ocean but he chose to get out and run away - causing the conflagration that killed so many when his armed missles went off - he had plenty of time to get it off the deck as he was trained to do - but since he was such a poor student (wouldnt know what a thesis was let alone write one) he probably was not paying attention to that training - or he just ignored it to save himself which is just as likely --

Big war hero - Democrats generally have more class than to Swift Boat the shmuck - but the American people are dumb and people like McCain and Bush are just as dumb - but these scumbags and their Republican "friends" have one added trait - they are sociopaths who manipulate their dumb "friends" with simple sound bites of intolerance and hatred --

America has gotten what it deserves - it has allowed the wealthy and privileged to increase their power to control the increasingly poor and ignorant masses - right out of the playbook of history's dictators

This is what "change" refers to. But it is a three dimensional concept - and half of the country cant walk and chew gum - these people who vote Republican have the attention span of rodents - so the Pubs will continue what works - and the battle for hearts and minds will continue

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Linda Harris — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 10:45:15 GMT

Slow news day, Jim? As a favor to everyone who finds this article repugnant, it is my hope that you will continue, endlessly, your search for the missing paper. With any luck, it will keep you from writing further mindless drivel that has no basis whatsoever in fact. I can't believe your editor let you run with this. I'm almost embarrassed for you and NBC, but since you exercised your free will, apparently you choose this type of work product. Fine investigative reporting. Keep up the good work. In fact, here's an idea for tomorrow's column: try to find McCain's "What I did last summer" essay - here's a hint: it was probably written on stone with a chisel.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Junior Benson,Houston,Texas — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 10:51:21 GMT

A NON CLEVER McCFLIPFLOP AND THE GOP NEED TO UNDERSTAND THE FACT THAT DAYS OF REPUBLICAN SUCCESSFUL DECEPTIONS ARE GONE!AMERICANS HAVE WOKEN UP! THANKS TO BACKWARD AND STUPID PRESIDENTS PRODUCED BY REPUBLICANS SO FAR! THAT EVEN BUSH IS BETTER THAN MCCAIN IS NO SECRET! AMERICANS ARE HURTING WHILST MCCAIN DEMANDS FOR EDUCATION IN ECONOMY, DECLARES AMERICANS ARE COMPLAINERS AND A NATION OF WHINERS? SAME MCCAIN SAID WE ARE BETTER OFF? HAS FLIFLOPPED 95% TO OBAMA´S PROBABLE 5%? HOW DARE CLAIM FOREIGN POLICY CHAMP WHEN THE FOREIGN LEADERS WOULD BETTER LISTEN TO OBAMA THAN A DUMMY MCCAIN! COMMANDER IN CHIEF PREREQUISITS ARE SIMPLE ; SMARTNESS AND DYNAMISM ! THAT IS WHAT OBAMA IS OFFERING . THE GOP CANDIDATE REMAINS A COMMANDER IN DUMMY AND SHOULD HAVE HIS REQUEST TO BE EDUCATED GRANTED. WE WOULD EXPECT HIM AGAIN IN 2012 AFTER A SUCCESSFUL EDUCATION! OBAMA 08

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Brian, Dallas, OR — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 10:59:16 GMT

David Bossie! Now there's a reichwing dope who has never been accused of making a success out of life.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Donald Curtis, Anapolis, MD — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 10:59:58 GMT

I'm a conservative, but the racist undertones, the bigotry, and sheer dishonesty of some of Republican/conservative commentators is disheartening and quite offensive. They unconscionably go after Obama's family, deny his white parentage and only portray him as a black islamic militant, all of which are deliberate lies and innuendos about the man.

Conversatism means honesty, moral decency, and treating others with respect even when you don't like they way they look or abhor their beliefs.

There are many substantive issues on which to debate Barack Obama - the economy, national security, international affairs - and prove to the American people that this election can be won on those issues that affect our lives.

Quite frankly, I will not vote this November because conservatives have nothing to offer me and my family, but have stooped so low to dwell on the personal destruction of their opponents without offering any tangible alternatives.

I'm very much ashamed of the likes of Glen Beck, Sean Hanity and Limbaugh who foul mouthed those they don't like or agree with.

There has to true rebirth of conservatism once again.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Junior Benson,Houston,Tex. — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 11:13:18 GMT

A GOP COMMANDER IN DUMMY SHOULD FIRST GET HIS EDUCATION IN ECONOMY AND FOREIGN POLICY AS HE ALREADY REQUESTED, BEFORE COMPETING WITH A YOUNG SMART AND DYNAMIC OBAMA!!!

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Dr. Marjorie Walker,PhD, Miami Beach, Florida — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 11:19:24 GMT

Im now 70 and I'm so glad I don't have to defend those thoughts I
had as an undergraduate. I thought college was a time to think
and process. that goes for Michelle's thesis as well as Obama's.
Princeton has a thesis policy. I can't believe they make undergraduate work public. My PhD thesis needs to be cleared to take it out of the library. Don't get it.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Fabio St Paul mn — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 11:54:29 GMT

Perhaps we should compare both candidates college scores and choose our next president based on IQ. America needs a smart President for a change!

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Jo London England — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 12:22:48 GMT

haven't politics gone mad, when everyone is trying to dish your diet in pubic. we need to know but not this rubbish. get a life Bossie.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Frank Elkins Odessa,Tx — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 12:23:50 GMT

Does this search sound like a note of desparation to you?

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Latesha Moore-Duncan — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 12:28:47 GMT

What does Obama's thesis have to do with the price of gas, food, a mortgage, an education, and the future of our country? Let's get focused people!

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Dave Christian County, KY — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 12:46:01 GMT

It's not the point of him writing a thesis or not, it's just one of many inconsistencies we find in his story. He has presented a perfect picture before us, but if anyone dares to challenge or question it, immediately the race-card-leftist-xenophobes those intolerant of any legitimate debate, come out of their unibomber hovels and assail the dissident voice(s) like good little nieces and nephews of "Uncle Joe". I am sick and tired of whatever candidate is right of moderate left-leaning having to endure every diatribe and slander imaginable while "the other guy" is lavished with praises and given the benefit of human error at his every faux pas. When the press at large covers all perspectives equally this aura of mistrust on all sides will eventually subside. Until then, the press will continue to sell copies and generate revenue form it's senationalism.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Jonathan Burton, Crawford Texas — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 12:57:30 GMT

Once again, the desperate attempts to get ANYTHING on Obama that the Mud Slinging Republicans can use has proven unsuccessful. The GOP is floundering this election year. And with good reason. A dismally low approval rating for Bush, and a persidential candidate that is unable to distance himself from him, and that appears to be old and outdated in the minds of most of middle class(voting) america.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Matt, Chicago — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 13:03:01 GMT

I have noticed a number of comments about Barack Obama using drugs and not being very intelligent. Huh????????? It sounds like Bush, except Obama isn't a draft dodger. The right wing must behaving delusions. When are people going to wake up and realize that the current Republican politicians are not interested in your problems, they are not interested in how to solve them. They are only interested in doing whatever it takes to stay in power. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. I am sure that putting another Bush apostle in office will get us back on track. Just keep thinking that.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Bettie, Austin, Texas — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 14:01:35 GMT

Would the Republicans like some cheese to go with their wine? Lets stick with issues Mr. Bossie (McCain) and stop being such whiners when it comes to Mr. Obama who is clearly the better candidate to get this country out of the muck and mire the Republicans have made of it over the past 8 years!

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

amsexton,stanhopenj — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 14:02:58 GMT

I wonder if the Republican "hit man" realizes what his stupidity tells the rest of the world about the lengths Republicans stoop to denigrate Democrats because the Republican canditates lately are obviously too old or/and stupid to win without underhanded help?

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Steve, Newark, Delaware — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 14:15:02 GMT

Why do we NOT have a formal vetting process for candidates of the highest position in our country!

The accuracy and truthfulness of education and employment experience IS the issue! And criminal background checks? These are standard employment procedures in government today at the federal and State levels.

Regarding the missing thesis.....EVERY academic institution retains a copy of theses as it usually is a requirement that a copy be submitted to the library by the degree candidate. Columbia does not do this???

If Columbia says it IS rheir policy, and it has disappeared, they DO get stolen... the mystery continues.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Stanley, Baltimore, MD — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 14:22:24 GMT

It is incredible how far the Repugs will go to convince us to vote for 5 dollar a gallon gas and milk.

Somehow the repugs think they can use various mechanisms to make us dumb enough to vote for the 5 bucks a gallon.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Mount Pleasant, SC — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 14:27:20 GMT

Is this a joke? I don't have papers I wrote 3 years ago, much less over 20 years ago. Conservatives are just po'ed because they've got nothing on Obama.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Katy, Rockville,Md — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 14:36:59 GMT

I think that if we are going to point fingers about what was written by Sen. Obama in his 20's we should also see what Sen. McCain was writing at the Academy and reflect on his anbitions when he was a cadet.
I believe that pointing a finger at Sen. Obama who is trying to take a HIGHER road that the Rep. Party could bite them. Sen. McCain's life is not without history.
I believe that this kind of speculation is not going to sway anyone who has not already made up there mind. It is not relevent.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Diane Kistner, Tallahassee, FL — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 14:41:35 GMT

"...Papers get lost easily...too easily in my case, so to call Obama a liar for his inability to produce a paper that he wrote 25 years ago is ridiculous. If the paper can't be found, then he must have something to hide?? Is that the logic? Keep looking for your character assassination ammunition...this just makes you look desparate, conservatives.

A. Hafner (Thursday, July 24, 2008 2:26 PM)
"

I concur. And I would add that this kind of "If we can't find it, he must have something to hide" logic is exactly what go us into this dreadful, ultra-costly war in Iraq. You know: "If we can't find the WMDs, it's got to be proof that Saddam is not cooperating, is hiding them, is in violation of UN resolutions." I mean, please. This country has got to be a wee bit smarter than that now, doesn't it?

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Stanley, Baltimore, MD — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 14:48:07 GMT

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

gezzell@juno.com — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 14:51:39 GMT

Did we worry about electing a drunk for President eight years ago, who had his records hidden. Now we worry about a paper that Obama wrote 25 years ago.
Wake up America and elect Obama to lead us out of the mess we are in today.
Gene E. Orlando, Florida

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Diane Kistner, Tallahassee, FL — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 15:01:20 GMT

To the perpetual student, Bohdan Szejner:

"...The documents cost me years of work, and they are too precious to be discarded: they are a window on my dignity as person, and they are part of my life. Although I have travelled with all my stuff around the world and lived in several countries for long periods, every one of my theses lies this moment in front of me, and the copies are at the universities' libtraries where I have studied.And so are the letters. Apparently, Sen. Obama has so many unseemly materials in his closet, that he has found no room for the most important documents of his life!This seems fishy to me!

Bohdan Szejner, Kraków, Poland (Thursday, July 24, 2008 2:49 PM)"

Is it possible that somebody like Obama might have a larger life and more humility than you do? Your work is clearly precious to you, and that's great. Many of us have worked just as hard as you and perhaps for a while clung to the fruits of our labor like a badge. We have all known young poets and writers who have carried every scrap of paper they ever penned a word on around with them for decades, thinking what they thought and said was so important that the world would be diminished if it were lost to posterity. We have known former soldiers who have clung to their service as the most important thing they have ever done and more glorious than anything else in their lives. But, please, don't confuse what a person does or does not consider precious about his or her life with what actually IS precious to the rest of the world and worthy of heroic preservation effort. Don't confuse the lack of a sense of supreme self-importance or narcissistic ruminations on one's past accomplishments with lying or trying to hide something. Not if you are as educated as you say you are.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

George Jetson, Executive Vice President, Spacely Space Sprockets, Inc. — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 15:16:28 GMT

Call me crazy, but I have ALL my major papers from college, grad and law school (disk and hard copy) going back to 1991. They're right in a nice little file jacket with transcripts, catalogs showing courses and degree requirements, and all that sort of stuff. Why keep them? Proof that you did it - don't depend on the records of others to document and verify your educational history. It doesn't take up that much space (about one file box), and I suppose I will scan and PDF mine someday and just put it all on an archival CD-R. Although I bear no ill will toward Mr. Obama, I am a bit surprised he would have jettisoned his college papers. At my graduate school, all thesises were filed in the thesis archive, with stuff going back decades. If Obama's thesis can't be found, it must not have been worth keeping!

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

djohnsonlove, Kansas City, Mo — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 15:20:05 GMT

I respect Barack Obama, his family and his mother's and father's family.

It's the burning bush's we should have got out of office his first 4 years. The world is on fire, and is about to burn baby burn. We dont' need anyone that the bush's have control over. We need change.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Dee, Northbrook, Il — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 15:36:39 GMT

Mr. Bossie is the liar. Can he produce every paper he wrote in college? The Republicans are notorious liars!!! They use lies as truths to fool thier idiot constituency. Blah! Blah! Blah!

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

charlotte vaughan — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 15:39:15 GMT

Forget the "thesis", If you think things are bad now; wait until Obama is elected president. We won't be in a recession; we will be in a DEPRESSION.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Doug, L.A., California — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 15:49:52 GMT

Why are all of you getting worked up over a missing paper? It was 25 years ago. We have real issues that need to be dealt with in this country and you all are arguing over a missing college paper that wasn't required by the school makes him a liar or traitor. If Obama is "Too Different" for you to be US president than just say that and stop wasting time with these dumb articles.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Bill, Nowhereland — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 15:54:39 GMT

Jane Doe
What makes you think that what Obama believed in 25 yrs ago, isn't what he believes in today. It looks like you're assuming he's changed his views. Naturally, over the course of time, it's possible for people to learn and change. My question is, what is he trying to hide by not producing this paper. I hardly believe he didn't keep a copy of it, considering he spent so much time writing it.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Kristine, Minnesota — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 16:03:45 GMT

I was in college in the 1980s and typed all of my papers on a typewriter. I have only some of them; and theses get lost all the time (it's a college librarian's nightmare). This is hardly unusual. Besides, theses are about analysis, not ideology; this is just another cheap conspiracy theory by anti-intellectual fearmongerers.
BTW, what did George W. Bush write in his thesis? Or John McCain?

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Andrea F — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 16:08:50 GMT

This is a witch hunt by conservatives. I am an objective observer. They seem not to want a clean campaign season. If we accept dirty politics, we're the ones who walk away unclean. I am shocked that no one is looking for his third grade report card. Those that seek to make Mr. Obama look unpatriotic, they themselves are unpatriotic, because their concern is not about what may be best for the country but their own personal agenda.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Ron Russman, Oxford, PA — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 16:29:01 GMT

Some folks say Obama doesn't have any presidential experience. It appears that he has been studying the subject for quite some time. Thanks for bringing this to light.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Jeffrey M. Crump — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 16:33:14 GMT

Enough is enough. This has no merit. What happent 25 years ago can't be changed. Let's focus on the things that we can.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Kris, Keizer, OR — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 17:24:21 GMT

Why would they have the paper? I am no fan of Obama, but really. Find some real news or even dirt on him if you will. I am sure there is some out there, but this isn't it.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Mark Gentry, Denver Co. — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 17:43:26 GMT

Popkin you are a joke, and looking like a partisan hack and nothing else. What could POSSIBLY be in this paper? You are obviously a winger and obviously desperate, just like the freaks at Fox Noise, for any tiny thing that can be used to smear Senator Obama. Get a life.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Martin Eber — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 17:46:29 GMT

Pathetic! That a "major" network is wasting our time following the lead of right wing partisans desperately looking for some way to distract voters from the emptyness of the McCain campaign is embarassing. Not only do most people not have copies of their college papers, they probably don't have their old t-shirts and baseball caps. If Jim Popkin has his old college papers, he should clean out his closet and his mind.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

John, Kansas City, MO — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 17:47:49 GMT

So, while we are looking for a thesis, where is John McCain's? I'm sure its on stone tablet somehwere...

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Pete Mansfield, Raleigh, NC — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 17:48:36 GMT

Perhaps living with a name like Bossie might have caused the right-wingnut severe emotional damage. As a kid, Bossie surely must have had many miserable playground experiences.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

DEBBIE, PALMDALE, CA — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 17:50:02 GMT

IS THIS SAME GROUP WHO OBVIOUSLY HAS NOTHING ELSE TO DO TRYING TO LOCATE A THESIS FOR MCSAME FROM 100 YRS AGO. GIVE ME A BREAK. WILL YOU STUPID PEOPLE STOP AT ANYTHING. A PURE WASTE OF TIME AND ENERGY. I CAN'T BELIEVE I AM EVEN RESPONDING.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

rfjlove@gmail.com — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 17:50:59 GMT

It never cease to amaze me about how low the right wing will go, you guys must think the American public is really stupid. Who cares what he wrote as a student and I have no idea where my thesis or course papers are, most likely in garbage heaven, where this story should have been. Get a life, lets talk about real issues such as the cost of oil, food etc.

Ruth, York, PA

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Mark Ducati III, West of Paris — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 17:51:27 GMT

Only a conservative ideologue, and idiot, could possibly imagine there's some value in a paper written 25 years ago. Worse, only a struggling cable news network could envision this is worth any oxygen at all.

Why don't you leave this one to Fox and Hannity, so they can look sillier?

Having been through three universities, and progressively higher degrees, I can assure you that the idea that I'd have retained college course papers is just plain stupid.

Somebody should ask Bossie how many of his college (if he went attended college) papers he's got.

Honestly, if he's got any, I'd make fun of that.

Calm down, MSNBC, leave the dumb work to the bloggers.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

George Raft — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 17:53:31 GMT

did you check Mccain, Sean Hannity, Rush limbaugh, Bill Oreilly,? Oooops Iguess not they only went to Grade School.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

carol, Roseville, CA — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 17:58:06 GMT

This is just pathetic. First of all, it was probably done an Electric typewriter. Copies were extremely expensive to make andy my guess is he didn't have the bucks to do it.

Let's ask to see McCain's senior paper from the Naval Academy --- I doubt he kept his, I'm sure he didn't get a good grade since he was very near the bottom of his graduating class!

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Jennifer, Michigan — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 18:02:49 GMT

This guy is serious? MSNBC is serious?
Of course they are.... it's always about trashing Obama, scrutinizing Obama and ignoring MCCain's gaffs, mistakes, blunders, fumbles and inaccurate facts.
What was McCain doing and saying 25 years ago?

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

James, Raleigh, NC — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 18:04:00 GMT

There's nothing more worthy of your time to investigate? Really?

The idea that this is worth media coverage is ludicrous. Do news organizations feel obliged to air any bizarre tale under the guise of "equal time"? Has nothing been learned from the Swift Boat Veterans episode, in which the major news organizations amplified proven lies, using the cover of "equal time"?

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Joyce Mitchell — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 18:21:51 GMT

Gee, how much time from your life did you 9Mr. Popkin) waste trying to fine dirt on Obama so you could be the advocate for the Republican (money mad party, that I wa stubid enough to believe in for and vote for for 46 years. All you accomplished was showing that the NBC network wants the rich to continue to rip off the citizens of the USA.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Kim — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 18:27:42 GMT

What exactly are they hoping to find in Obama's college thesis?? Republicans should concentrate on formulating some sort of message that includes something else besides the Iraq war. How about focusing on something that directly affects the American people. Stop the fear-mongering. It's getting old - very old.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Carmen Walker, Fayetteville, NC — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 20:01:25 GMT

So Sen. Obama can't find a copy of a paper he wrote 25 years ago? I graduated from college in 1982 and only have my college transcripts and year book. Any other paperwork and/or books from that time are long gone! Let's not be so quick to judge and call someone a "liar" because they don't have a copy of some old paperwork. Apparently, David Bossie has too much time on his hands! Maybe one day the media will report on some actual news about the candidates instead of looking for conspiracies where there aren't any.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

George Curran, Shenandoah, VA — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 20:36:54 GMT

11 years earlier than Barack, I wrote a 33 page paper that earned a 105 (A+) in a philosophy course that I took my senior year. In those days we didn't make copies of our papers....we expected them to be returned. Unfortunately for me, my professor so liked my paper that he kept it to measure future students' efforts against (his version, I guess, of a "gold standard"). It is sad when such papers are lost, but certainly not anything to agonize over (unless, of course, one is grasping at straws during a general election). Get a life!

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Laurie, Culpeper, VA — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 21:02:01 GMT

Give me a break! How about looking into the reason why Senator McCain had to have his POW records sealed for all eternity by the Senate?! There's an investigation for Mr. Bossie to undertake. Oops, I guess he would be the wrong guy for that job. He'd rather waste everyone's time creating a very large tempest in a very small teapot about, of all things, a college paper, and this during a time when very real questions exist about John McCain's past, what he has done and what he has said.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Phillip, Los Angeles, CA — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 21:33:19 GMT

I wish these folks would have used the same effort to find out about Bush's military service. What a double standard!

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Dave, Trenton, Mi. — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 21:34:54 GMT

What is the Hell is wrong with you MSNBC people? Are you really stooping to this low level is 'reporting'?

Are we going to demand Obama's First-Grade penmanship papers to see if he went all the way up on his T's?

If you are going to allow right-wing lunatics to dictate what you call 'reporting', then you should be ashamed.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Sharon, Oakland, CA — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 22:42:49 GMT

THIS IS RIDICULOUS. YOU ARE RIDICULOUS. THE GOP IS RIDICULOUS. YOU PEOPLE ARE SO AFRAID THAT A BLACK MAN (WHOSE MOTHER IS WHITE NON THE LESS/YOU PEOPLE DON'T EVEN LIKE YOUR OWN KIND). THE USA IS GETTING TO BE SUCH A RIDICULOUS PLACE WITH PEOPLE LIKE YOU AND YOUR KIND. PLEASE REPORT ON SOMETHING THAT HAS SOME MEANING TO THE AVERAGE AMERICAN. YOU PEOPLE ALWAYS TALKING ABOUT OBAMA NOT IN TOUCH WITH THE EVERYDAY PEOPLE. WELL, DO YOU HONESTLY CARE ABOUT THE AVERAGE JOE BLOW? WE DON'T GIVE A DAMN, WE REALLY DON'T. PLEASE REPORT SOMETHING THAT IS NEWS WE CAN US. YOU PEOPLE ARE DISGUSTING. I WANT TO SEE COLLEGE PAPERS THAT MCCAIN WROTE. MSNBC WILL BECOME OTHER STUPID NETWORK THAT I WON'T WASTE MY TIME WITH.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Kimberly Kent, Peoria, Illinois — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 22:45:28 GMT

Why would one even attempt to term a college course paper a "missing document" as if it had some public importance which it most certainly does not. This is merely an attempt to create an issue where there is none. At a time when there are so many more important issues to be concerned with, the mere fact that this has evened garnered air time is utterly ridiculous.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Tracy Crushshon, Az. — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 22:47:58 GMT

Is this country EVER going to grow up? This is jouvenille....

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Sharon, Oakland, CA — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 22:49:13 GMT

SAD, SAD, SAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

big nick, nj — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 23:17:40 GMT

After reading Mr Popkin's story on the missing thesis, I was looking for his email adress to contact him about another Obama-related disclosure matter. This one of an obviously more serious nature. Are you aware that the Obama camp has refused to release the Senator's birth certificate? Why? I wonder what could possibly be the reason to keep that from anyone? Birth certificates exist to indicate and legally verify one's birth and existence. To answer the question of 'Were they born?' and the question of 'Where were they born?'. aka geographic location of their birth - to determine one's national citizenship... Unless they don't want anyone to realize he wasn't born a US citizen-on US soil or territory why else not release it. It is the first qualification listed in the US Constitution for an individual to be considered for President. I think it has something to do with his father and where they were living when the Senator was born.
Would you please respond and investigate if necessary?

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Dennis Roberts, Bremerton, WA — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 01:52:25 GMT

Mr. Popkin knows full well what he is doing. The purpose of this sort of stories is to build a drip drip drip of media narrative. It does not matter that it is all constructed out of thin air, with enough of these phony "Obama hiding his past" stories a narrative emerges. And Mr. Popkin is doing his part to help build a phony narrative. His decision to end the paragraph by quoting the Republican hit man calling Senator Obama a liar tips his hand. Mr. Popkin is well aware that the net effect of ten or twenty meaningless "stories" like this one is to create a negative media narrative out of thin air.

Nice that it coincides so well with the Republicans admitted metanarrative for the campaign: making Americans think that there is something sinister and unknown about the Senator from Illinois.

It doesn't matter that we are discussing something mindnumbingly stupid like a missing undergrad paper. This is meant to make Senator Obama seem scary and "unexamined." NBC producers should cue eerie music for this page to set the appropriate mood.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Ray — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 03:36:57 GMT

This is absolutely unacceptable. Jim Popkin (the idiot author of this smear piece) has no verifiable source to support his reports that the paper is damaging or is being hidden. Its slander and nothing more and Popkin should be FIRED immediately.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Sara, Houston, TX — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 05:32:58 GMT

Can Obama please produce a valid birth certificate proving he is a natural born US citizen? So far, he has only provided forgeries on the internet. Bossie, please look into this!

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

K Eldridge — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 05:46:14 GMT

Here is the Republican strategy in a nutshell. The are hoping they can land a copy of this paper, hoping an praying that it reveals something in it that will call into question Obama's patriotism. If so, they will cease the opportunity to paint Obama as a communist. Watch! They want to use his race to paint him as a black activist. This election is going to come down to race, religion and patriotism. The strategy of the conservative is set. Neo-conservatives need four more years for their to clean us all out. I guess Iraq did not yield enough.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Cindie — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 15:08:54 GMT

I hope something comes of this...obama needs to be STOPPED.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

JayDog — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 19:29:41 GMT

Wow. Another pathetic non-story fronted by the media. Where's all the concern over McCain's military record he refuses to release? Where was the outrage over Bush's missing military records? Now, you're suddenly worried about a college paper written 25 years ago? Weak. Go back to having barbeque with McCain.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Roberto B, Chicago, IL — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 21:53:50 GMT

More importantly, where can I get a copy of McCain's 1863 senior year thesis entitled: "How to end the U.S. Civil War?"

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Thomas Picquet — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 21:16:56 GMT

This blog is bunk and I have been a republican since I registered to vote 22 years ago. I am not saying that I will vote for Obama, but this type of trash journalism is not going to change my mind to vote against him. I never went to a four year college, but I did write some term papers; does the fact that I can't produce them make me a lier too?

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Jamal, Colorado Springs CO — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 04:59:40 GMT

At first I thought this whole "story" was ridiculous; but then the wheels started turning and I realized Obama may be hiding important facts on other key issues like Bigfoot and the true story behind Loch Ness. Keep up the good work you backrgound blood hound.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Will, Charlottesville, Virginia — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 16:03:35 GMT

Speaking as a university professor, I can say with some authority that I don't keep student papers. I usually hold on to them for one year, simply so that if a student comes to me and asks about their final grade I can pull out all the relevant paperwork. After one year, into the recycling bin they go.

I *do* try to hold on to senior theses written by my own students, but even those occasionally disappear. They aren't normally high-impact, and I have little cause for keeping them around (other than posterity).

Of my own college papers, I have two, or perhaps three. Other than their "I remember when" value, there's simply no reason that I ever should have kept them. That they remain with me 22 years out of college is nothing short of a miracle when I don't even have any of my own wedding pictures.

The truly sad thing is that Mr. Bossie get's paid to run around looking for old papers. I wish I got paid for that... I spend too much of my time doing it already.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Amy, Indiana — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 03:54:24 GMT

Lol. I'm IN college and I don't think I could find every paper I've written. And if I were him, I wouldn't waste my time rummaging through the attic looking for old school papers.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Thomas Okenyo, Sydney, Australia, okenyo@msn.com — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 08:28:06 GMT

Who's David Bossie, anyway, in the national scheme of peoples' lives. Who edits David's every act from grade 1 to date? Who cares, anyways? Indeed, I myself have through travel and relocations have lost very valuable unpublished project dissertations and university theses before the computer age. Or should we now blame Bill Gates for showing up late to save the world with effective and efficient tools for organising ones' life? C'mn, stop this hate and cheap tricks of the devil and start living. Give your energies to things that matter in people's lives; who you date or what you ate when you were in high school or through university.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

mr m pa — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 15:16:56 GMT

right or left , politics is a consuming cancer it needs a cure, which i have, its called......
GET A LIFE!!!.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

AJWilliams, Baltimore, MD — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 21:17:17 GMT

Just goes to show you how dangerous these nuts are. I remember when I was younger about 30 years ago, from listening to some of these nuts I knew I would never want to be seen in the company of these idiots. Who can remember what they did with papers 10, 20, 30 years ago? This goes to show you how dangerous these nuts. They are the real danger to America.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

DB, Nevada — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 17:40:34 GMT

1. You run for President, you will be scrutinized. Even if you're the Donkey Messiah.

2. Commenters here keep trying to call this some insignificant college paper. This is instead reported to be a "thesis" that took a year to create.

I find it hard to believe someone just tosses out something that significant and that represented that kind of investment of time and effort.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

justanotherobamasheepbaaa — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:41:37 GMT

25 years ago I beleived that conservatives had our nations interest at heart. I debated many outside the corporate community that they had conservatives all wrong.

As a seasoned adult, I can see now that conservatives are concerned about one thing and one thing only...their bottom line.

I'm sure Mr. Obama has grown in his assessment of the world and how it works, too. What he wrote 25 years ago would have little bearing on my vote. Just as the idealistic views of my own world have changed, I expect whatever Mr. Obama's views were 25 years go, they are bound to have been altered by experience and time.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Alexandra R. Chicago, Illinois — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 15:48:29 GMT

So it's an attack on Obama? He wrote in HIS book that he spent a year writing his senior thesis.....a thesis that didn't exist. It was just a paper. Not a thesis. Clearly someone with academic history knows the difference. As for not being able to come up with a copy of the paper after 25 years....maybe. Here is my problem with that: He remembered the title. I only remember the titles of those papers I kept. I do still have a copy of my thesis, by the way. And it's been more than 25 years. I can't imagine someone not having a copy of a paper that it took a year to write. None of that really matters. What matters is that he wrote in his book that he wrote a thesis. The school says he didn't. THAT makes him a liar.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Y Lee, San Jose, CA — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 18:05:24 GMT

It sounds like he wrote a seminar paper, but not a thesis. It's likely that a student -- and a university -- would keep a thesis, but not a mere seminar paper. A thesis is the summation of a year's work, and often is related to a junior paper, if the school has one. A seminar paper is for a single course. Must undergraduate institutions do not require theses.

Nice job of the Republicans and mainstream media (have you noticed the torrent of negative stories in the past month?), of trying to bring down a Democrat. The only Democrats who will ever be elected are Southern good ol' boys.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Norm, St. Louis, Missouri — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 19:48:44 GMT

What do you want to bet that the Bossie crowd will find "the paper." Just give them enough time to write it. Then it will fly through cyberspace and Obama will have to spend all kinds of energy trying to prove it is a forgery.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Wil, Brooklyn, NY — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 01:30:29 GMT

First of all, who is David Bossie and why is his opinion of any consequence?

Secondly, do we really miss the fact that Obama was “clearly one of the top one or two students in the class,” when the same has never been said about McCain in his studies? Yet, somehow Obama's been accused of being an 'empty suit' who only knows how to give a speech. Ridiculous.

Finally, how can HRC supporters even entertain the idea of supporting McCain and the GOP - regardless of how much antipathy they feel towards Obama for his very effective and well-run Primary campaign? It's really disheartening that people would rather betray their principles in order to settle a grudge.

Obama and the case of the missing 'thesis'

Angela, Bluffton SC — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 18:14:02 GMT

I would like to see what he wrote. He and his wife's early associations and contempt for America have me a little worried. I honestly think Obama is a puppet....what scares me is I don't know who is pulling the strings.