On the other hand, the govt. might be using security as an excuse to remove software that would contradict any attempt to fudge the numbers in Obama's favor.
Who understands how this really works????
What is really going on here? I would expect Hilda Solis to do as much partisan mischief as possible.
“Here comes a candle to light you to bed, here comes a chopper to chop off your head!”
The standard for that room has been no phones, no pagers, no cameras, etc - basically no outside communication until the report has been released - so that no one gets an advantage in the market. Just a fifteen minute lead on a particularly important labor report could mean millions for the carefully positioned investment firm.
Only problem is: with reporters bringing in their own hardware, they could also be bringing in their own bugs - knowingly or unknowingly. While the only two known releases of the reports early were through DOL mistakes, it's possible that these laptops could become bugged with software that would broadcast the story the reporters are writing as they write it, and give someone a good advantage in the market.
It's just rather unlikely.
The security theory is that by using vetted computers with vetted software, the risks are minimized in having the report contents broadcast early.
Six of one, half dozen of another, really. It doesn't seem to be all that much of a reach to restrict all electronics from the closed room, including computers.
We're talking a half hour here - when you read a wire report about jobs numbers up or down, it came from reporters in these locked rooms who read the report early and wrote their report to be released as soon as the report is released to the public.
journalists???
They have the power of the press. Let them use it. Most will support Obama now matter how they are treated.