I interned with congressman, senators, and a few national organizations (including ACLU and NPR) back in the day. Likewise, I have experience in State legislative work. Could that count? I can make legislators dance to whatever tune needs to be played.

That's good. Either vaping man or cigarillo man. I really like mini cigars.

Definitely not. Traditional security clearances are for worker drones and potential whistleblowers. For the type of work we'd be doing a traditional security clearance would be an impediment to operational security. A worthy apprentice needs to obey the master, not conform to the societal rules that get one past a security clearance investigation.

As for access, I've seen things.