Text size +

Romney campaign HQ broken into again

Posted by Foon Rhee, deputy national political editor January 24, 2008 12:10 PM

By Andrew Ryan and John R. Ellement, Globe Staff

The burglary and two arrests at Mitt Romney's North End campaign headquarters this morning do not appear to be the work of covert political operatives trying to thwart Romney’s presidential bid.

Police arrived at the building on Commercial Street at 1 a.m. and stopped a blue Toyota Camry leaving a parking lot. When the suspects opened the car doors, two open bottles of Budweiser tumbled to the ground, according a police report. Inside the car, officers found two crowbars and a single Macintosh laptop commuter that had allegedly been stolen from an office at the campaign.

"There is no indication this was politically motivated," said Eric Fehrnstrom, a Romney spokesman.

One of the men who was arrested -- Michael J. Sauer, 30 -- identified himself as a political independent on his voter registration, public records show. The second suspect, Daniel J. Bradley, 28, is not registered to vote in Massachusetts, records show. Bradley has six outstanding warrants for crimes that include possession of narcotics and breaking and entering, police said.

The men, who both live in Cambridge, were arraigned this morning in Boston Municipal Court. Wearing hooded sweatshirts, both men tried to shield their faces from the crush of reporters that covered the hearing. They were charged with breaking and entering with the intent to commit a felony and possession of burglar tools.

It was the second burglary at the building since September, when thieves stole seven laptop computers and their docking stations and a 37-inch plasma television, the personal property of Spencer Zwick, the candidate's finance manager and close personal adviser. At the time, the campaign also said the break-in was not connected to Romney's presidential bid.

It does not appear that the two break-ins are connected, police said.

This morning a security guard monitoring surveillance cameras at the campaign headquarters called 911 at 12:53 a.m. He told police he saw two men stealing a computer in a rear office of the building at 585 Commercial Street, according to a police report. Police found pry marks on window in the side and the rear of the building.

Fehrnstrom praised want he called the rapid response of Boston police.

33 comments so far...
  1. It's obvious that the thieves were not operating on behalf of other candidates, because there's no intelligence in the Romney campaign worth stealing. Just piles and piles of money that is being used to buy the election.

    Posted by David Anderson January 24, 08 02:16 PM
    Reply | Report this post
  1. The police should check to see if these men were paid by an opponent's campaign to steal Gov. Romney's computers.

    Posted by DLM January 24, 08 02:29 PM
    Reply | Report this post
  1. "...buy the election[?]" Could you be a bigger tool?

    Posted by Matthew Johnson January 24, 08 02:56 PM
    Reply | Report this post
  1. I agree with DLM that the Police should do a thorough investigation to see if any of the burglar's are connected to any of the other campaigns. It's like fool me once?

    Posted by nunya January 24, 08 02:58 PM
    Reply | Report this post
  1. David Anderson,

    If I read your comments right, you are all for candidates that are bought and paid for by special interests.......what a moron you are.....money doesn't buy elections, it buys time, so the public and get to know you.

    Do ya think the Name Clinton or McCain might be better known then Romney? If you are not going to use your brain then don't use your computer.

    Posted by Jay Egan January 24, 08 03:01 PM
    Reply | Report this post
  1. Give me a break. Mccain has raised just a much (if not more) money than Mitt. Mitt just happens to have personal money to tap into. This guy is amazing and will do great things for the country if elected. He was properly prepared for a presidential bid from the beginning, that shouldnt be anything to resent.

    Posted by JHA January 24, 08 03:03 PM
    Reply | Report this post
  1. The comment by David Anderson establishes him as a true nitwit.

    Posted by AES January 24, 08 03:06 PM
    Reply | Report this post
  1. Romney has received a great deal of money from people who believe he is the right man for the job. He has also used his own money (so he hasn't been purchased by some special interest lobby group).

    My guess is that his platform is what is keeping him around. He has won three states and taken second in two. He also has the highest delegate count.

    Posted by Dave January 24, 08 03:12 PM
    Reply | Report this post
  1. David Anderson, you are right!

    Romney's election is all about money, and I will tell you what, evil spirits attract evil spirits.

    Posted by Dan January 24, 08 03:14 PM
    Reply | Report this post
  1. For David Anderson. That was lame. You got any idea how elections get bought?

    Posted by Jim Baker January 24, 08 03:15 PM
    Reply | Report this post
  1. There should be some major investigative work done regarding these break-ins..very fishy.

    Note to David Anderson: YOUR ANEMIC I.Q. IS ON DISPLAY.

    Posted by Michele January 24, 08 03:16 PM
    Reply | Report this post
  1. It seems unproductive to try to steal intelligence from Mitt Romney, he is very open about his motives and strategy. I checked out www.mittromney.com and he doesn't seem to be hiding anything. He is taking this race from the early primaries and on, a pretty good tactic, nothing covert.

    Posted by Leslie January 24, 08 03:18 PM
    Reply | Report this post
  1. Hey Anderson,
    He earned the money and it is a free country and being a free country he is entitled to spend his money as he sees fit. Its not money from any leftist billionaires like George Soros or Peter Lewis through 521(b)s. who really are trying to buy the election.

    Posted by Thomas Reese January 24, 08 03:20 PM
    Reply | Report this post
  1. I hate to encourage name calling because we have too much of that in our public square. Still, this retort was freakin' hilarious...

    "If you are not going to use your brain then don't use your computer."

    The power of wit conveys a poignant message.

    Posted by Simmering January 24, 08 03:54 PM
    Reply | Report this post
  1. Dan, #9 - I was wondering how long it would take before they resorted to calling the Mormon candidate "evil." You and your kind are what give Christian conservatives a bad name.

    Posted by Josh January 24, 08 04:01 PM
    Reply | Report this post
  1. Yeah, the ignorance of people like David Anderson is astounding. It goes to show how the liberals have gotten into the minds of average dufus' in our country (through movies, tv, news, magazines, music, etc). Everyone is convinced that if you gain any wealth - you must be a bad person. Well, those "bad" people who start businesses that service you and your family, and find a way to run their business efficiently enough to make some real money, those are the people that employ you. They are the people that took the risk to open a business or invest in a business. We all benefit from people who take that risk. But beware, if you find any success in this world, you are then called "evil" or "bad" by those who have less than you. Liberals should go make their own country, where they can self destruct and pull each other down.

    Posted by Holden Magroin January 24, 08 04:10 PM
    Reply | Report this post
  1. UNLIKE SOME OTHERS, ROMNEY IS FREE FROM ETHICAL TAINT AND EARNED HIS MONEY THE OLD FASHIONED WAY, HE WORKED FOR IT.

    OBVIOUSLY, HE HAS CAREFULLY MAPPED OUT HIS CAMPAIGN STRATEGY AND SO FAR HAS HAD MUCH SUCCESS.

    HE IS ALSO A FINE GENTLEMAN AND FAMILY MAN.

    METHINKS ANY ILL WILL TOWARD HIM MAY BE ASCRIBED TO JEALOUSY.

    Posted by MARK FLACK WELLS January 24, 08 04:14 PM
    Reply | Report this post
  1. Mitt romney is raising more $ than his rivals. you can't raise the type of money mitt raised without having a message that resonates. the money that he spends of his own was a fraction of what he raises from voters. besides the point, mccain gets 24 7 free advertising from the mainstream media, whereas romney gets nonstop media smear such as challenging his viability based on their bigoted perception of mormonism. Romney therefor has to spend money just to undo the harm of the media's mormophobia and media's general anti romney hatefest.

    Posted by arizona med student January 24, 08 04:18 PM
    Reply | Report this post
  1. Nice to see some "sane" responses to the David Anderson's of this world. Also, nice to see there are quite a few Mitt supporters out there. Hey David, check out Amy Goldstein's article "Why They Hate Mitt Romney" from "politcal thinker" from yesterday 1/23 - your opinion typifies EXACTLY what she argues about those who "hate" Mitt Romney - essentially, it is jealousy. With regard to the "evil" stuff - I concur with the fellow who said that remarks like that give Christians a bad name. I am a born again evangelical Christian and find Romney to be the best candidate to represent my values and world views...I'm not supporting him for his religious faith but for how he lives his life and where he stands on the issues. You can't have it both ways...if Huck wants the same consideration, then Romney gets it too!

    Posted by Peggy January 24, 08 05:01 PM
    Reply | Report this post
  1. leave it to a couple of modern liberal degenerates from the people's republic of cambridge to commit worthless felonies for the heck of it; any means necessary...lol

    Posted by witengineer January 24, 08 05:04 PM
    Reply | Report this post
  1. What the country is now seeing is a man who knows how to be a successful Husband, Father, Businessman, and Governor. He knows what it takes to turn things around. He does not have to be a War Hero to be successful fighting against terrorism, what he does know how to do is let others more qualified do that for the country. Others in the race have had their chance to show us what they can do, and what they can't do!

    Clinton, Mccain and the others have been part of the problem not the solution.........It seems that people can't get past Romney's success and see that the man is genuine and sincere and above all of that he has the experience to manage a nation and lead, by example not by rhetoric. Romney is qualified for the job, do you really think Mccain can stand up against Clinton in November.............who is going to be believed when the topic is the Economy, Mccain? Clinton? both of whom have been on the public dole for most of their adult lives.........or someone who has made his own money, been successful on a grand scale and knows how to stimulate and grow an economy.............I bet Mitt would love to stand toe to toe with Hilary and argue the economy!!!

    Posted by sitting on a beach in Hawaii January 24, 08 05:14 PM
    Reply | Report this post
  1. At least they caught the thieves......I almost thought it was another visit from the Angel Moroni. Is it possible that Mitt is the new guardian of the golden plates? Will he lead us to the Theodemocracy, and ultimately the Second Coming? Very difficult to say; I am not sure if he is in possession of the Urim and Thummim at this time, but he does have the best haircut.

    Posted by Roberto January 24, 08 05:33 PM
    Reply | Report this post
  1. Mitt Romney is an awesome man - great education, very bright, successful businessman, wonderful scandal-free family man. I think that integrity and family values are still good and necessary qualities. I don't think that wealth is a negative - it shows that he is a focused, driven man who's willing to work hard. What's wrong with that? I don't care where he goes to church, just like I don't care where all of the other candidates go to church. He's the closest thing there is to Conservative in this race. God Bless You, Mitt and Good Luck!! Keep up the fight!!

    Posted by Sharon Thorkildson January 24, 08 05:41 PM
    Reply | Report this post
  1. Mitt, has my vote, a man of ideas that we need when our economy is stsrting to tilt to the duwnside.

    Posted by Bob Michaels January 24, 08 06:05 PM
    Reply | Report this post
  1. Just a quick question here for Roberto. Just like Steve Martin told John Candy in Plane's Train's and Automobiles, "next time you want to tell me something, have a point"

    Posted by Gerry Sullivan January 24, 08 06:17 PM
    Reply | Report this post
  1. Bigot Alert! Roberto is circling...

    The Bible says that by their fruits ye shall know them. Romney has lived a good, ethical life, is a decent, brilliant, wildly successful and accomplished man.

    Watch what TV's Mad Money Jim Cramer says: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoBKgmnVkrc. We don't want this guy to run the economy? Are we nuts?!

    He's the turnaround king. He saved dozens of failing businesses, including launching Staples, reviving Domino's Pizza, etc. He rescued the Olympics from bankruptcy and scandal, turned them into a huge success and made $10 million in the process, and TOOK NO SALARY when he did it. Also, he took Massachusetts from $3 billion in the hole to $1 billion in the good four years later when he left. Also REFUSED SALARY for the job there.

    Mitt is sharp as a tack, ethical, calm under pressure, a good man. We need him in ’08. GO MITT!

    Posted by Bookaholic January 24, 08 06:22 PM
    Reply | Report this post
  1. How could you possibly come to the conclusion that these guys weren't doing a political hit job against what has become quite a successful campaign, or at least the most successful campaign on the republican side. Why on earth would you pick a campaign headquarters to rob? What are you going to steal? Romney in '08 signs and buttons?!?! They stole computers which are things which in most cases, especially at campaign headquarters contain information, plans, etc....... The whole thing wreaks of conspiracy and I am in no way a conspiracy theorist. But, I find these acts to be a completely rational strategy (Please note: I said rational and not ethical) for people trying to stop first a possible Romney republican nomination and second a Romney presidential victory.

    Posted by Disciple of Friedman January 24, 08 06:46 PM
    Reply | Report this post
  1. The comment by David Anderson sounds like a pre schooler getting into their parents pc. Please commenters watch your kids as we need intelligent adult conversation in these rooms especially when some thiefs from the democratic party tried watergating Mr. Romney.. God Bless

    Posted by scott finch January 24, 08 07:02 PM
    Reply | Report this post
  1. Mitt is the best qualified person to run for President since Reagan and Bush, Senior. Obviously, the guys who broke in to Mitt's headquarters were not planning to vote for him, and were trying to hurt his campaign. Such a crime should be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted to the fullest.

    Posted by David Vilt January 24, 08 07:14 PM
    Reply | Report this post
  1. Hey Roberto:

    You have problems with tablets, angels, and such. You clearly wouldn't have followed Moses who was the guardian of the stone tablets written by the finger of God as well as the Urim and Thummin. What a wacko--it is a good thing you don't believe in Moses either...or do you?

    Posted by DLounsbury January 24, 08 09:02 PM
    Reply | Report this post
  1. why focus on the negative. Can we develop some positive analysis? Like maybe one of the other candidates, while a bit unethical, does have the brains to gain some knowledge

    Posted by frank January 24, 08 10:48 PM
    Reply | Report this post
  1. The interesting question is "What was on the computer?"

    Posted by Dave January 26, 08 04:58 PM
    Reply | Report this post
  1. IF WE DON'T HAVE A STRONG DOLLAR, WE DON'T HAVE A STRONG AMERICA!!! ROMNEY SHOULD EMPHASIZE THAT WE HAVE GOT TO HAVE GOOD ECONOMIC GROWTH IN ORDER TO PAY DOWN THE DEBT AND TO STOP PAYING BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN INTEREST.
    WE NEED JOBS IN AMERICA FOR AMERICANS. WE NEED A STRONG ECONOMY TO HAVE A STRONG MILITARY. AND, WE NEED A STRONG ECONOMY TO FIGHT AND DEFEAT TERRORISM! EVERY PROGRAM REQUIRES MONEY & ROMNEY IS BEST QUALITIFIED TO CREATE STRONG ECONOMIC GROWTH IN AMERICA. EVERYTHING REQUIRES MONEY $$$!!!

    Posted by Sylvia Merrill January 27, 08 01:17 AM
    Reply | Report this post
add your comment
Required
Required (will not be published)

This blogger might want to review your comment before posting it.

About political intelligence Field reports from Boston Globe reporters and editors covering the 2008 presidential campaign and the national maneuvering of Bay State politicians.

Send your comments to masspolitics@globe.com

archives

browse this blog

by category