Ride the Lightning

Might Beto O'Rourke Become the First Hacker President?

March 18, 2019

DARKReading reported on March 15th that if Beto O'Rourke were to become President, he might be (almost surely would be) the first President with a background in the hacker community.

Once upon a time, O'Rourke was a member of Cult of the Dead Cow, an early US hacker group. He engaged in some typical teenage online activities (grabbing games with no digital rights management and a bit of phone-phreaking), leaving the group's activities by the time he was 18.

Why did his hacker-related history now come to light? According to Reuters, "Members of the group have protected O'Rourke's secret for decades, reluctant to compromise his political viability. Now, in a series of interviews, CDC members have acknowledged O'Rourke as one of their own."

Along with his time playing in a punk band and his current penchant for recharging by skateboarding, the hacker background is part of a resume that makes O'Rourke an uncommon candidate for the presidential nomination.

According to legal experts Reuters contacted, it seems likely that O'Rourke's activities would be considered misdemeanors, the statute of limitations on which would have expired years ago.

If nothing else, we'd have a President with some understanding of cybersecurity. Kevin Mitnick for VP, anyone?

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