security clearance, as members of Congress, by default, are granted a clearance (as I recall). However, Palin, in her capacity as it relates to being in charge of her State's National Guard, may have a clearance as well.

Also, I believe that background checks performed as a function of service at the Executive, Judicial or Legislative levels are not conducted for determination of suitability for a security clearance, nor do they result in the issuance or denial of a security clearance, and only yield information for the powers that be that are making appointment/nomination approvals.

Jim