Does George W. get automatic security clearances from the U.S. government, or does he have to fill out the same paperwork as the “regular” citizens?
‘Dubya’ was granted an interim clearance once he became the Republican candidate, and started right away recieving limited briefings (mostly on proceedure). Once he was acknowleged President-Elect, the level was raised (still interim) to the highest levels, and the briefings really started to roll. He (or, more likely, a staffer) will still have to fill-out the standard NSA questionaire, but there’s ZERO chance of him being denied access.
Do you mean that the DOD says to itself “Hmm, better not give this guy the codes to launch the nukes?”
I don’t think the DOD has a choice. Constitutionally, George W. Bush will be the Commander in Chief on January 20. If the Defense Department decides to withhold information from him, than you have a military coup d’etat on your hands.
If the Defense Department suspects disloyalty on the part of the president, I would think that it would be obliged to tell Congress.
So, no, I don’t think there is any paperwork that George W. has to fill out.
If I remember correctly, didn’t the War Department (predecessor of the DOD) withhold information from Franklin Roosevelt prior to WWII? Additionally, what about the new Cabinet members - do they get the same treatment?
…He DEFINITALY MUST have the paperwork done, even though it’s merely a formality. The only way not to be required to complete the form (which, in fact, has already been done), is for an Executive Order being writen absolving him of the requirement, which HE can’t do, as he’s not yet President, and Clinton is d*mned unlikly to do for him. The necessary paper must be in the hands of the Gov’t before he can recieve his first briefing (which happened months ago, while he was still /just/ a Governor). Of course, the process of finallizing a clearance takes many months or longer, so I suppose he can write an Executive Order upgrading his clearance status from “Interim” to “Approved” once he’s sworn-in. Except that won’t be necessary, as he’s granted highest access by the very act taking the Oath.
Cabinet members all have to pass FBI background checks, so that presumably means that they are given clearances. I’m sure that even Colin Powell is being given a pretty thorough screening by the FBI.