Have you been to a rally? How was the security there?

[AZBlue]

I'm surprised at the lack of conversation about this topic, both in the media and on DU. I went to an Obama rally in January here in Phoenix and the security was completely non-existent. The "guard" at the entrance seemed higher than the Space Station and the only thing anyone was concerned about was if we were bringing in bottled water - because then the coliseum wouldn't get our money from beverages purchased there. My friends and I commented several times on the obvious lack of security. Now I hear about this situation in Dallas and it concerns me.

I don't want anything to happen to anyone - not either of our candidates or any of the attendees. In this day and age, you never know what some kook might try and pull. And, we have two candidates, one of whom is black and one of whom is female, giving us added need for security. It's sad to say and I wish our society was advanced to the point that neither gender nor race would be an issues, but unfortunately we're not there yet.

Any one else have any similar experiences at an Obama, a Clinton or anyone else's rallies earlier on?

[GOPisEvil]

1. Here's my report from tonight's Obama rally.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x4722015#4722441

[AZBlue]

2. I'm glad to hear that!

The Secret Service needs to remember they are non-partisan. I know in reality they aren't, but they need to act that way at least! (I can't help but wonder if McCain isn't getting top notch protection?)

[MADem]

3. I know in reality they aren't??????????? WTF?

I have a cousin who works for them. I also have a friend who is a desk jockey now in his old age. They're from different parties.

They ARE nonpartisan. It's drilled into their heads that they don't 'do' politics and they keep their mouths shut. Their focus is protection, not politics. After all, it reflects on THEM if they fuck up.

I don't think McCain has taken protection at this stage.

[davidpdx]

4. Yes, Obama's security was not as good as it should have been

I went to an Obama rally in September and the security was very lax.

[AZBlue]

11. Welcome to DU!

:hi:

[SmellsLikeDeanSpirit]

5. Is this lax security because they aren't official nominees.

I remember reading that once they are the nominee they are supposed to have secret service out the ass.

[Alexander]

6. I saw Obama at Arizona State in October - I had to empty my pockets.

There was a gated-off area where he was speaking to supporters, and any student who wanted to walk into or through it (to get to class) had to pass through several security guards who searched bags and made me empty my pockets.

I noticed some Secret Service agents around. I imagine there was a lot more security that I didn't see.

[MadBadger]

7. At the Obama Rally in Madison, there were Metal Detectors manned by TSA

we emptied our pockets and they used their wands on us.

[LadyVT]

8. This was reported on by the AP earlier today...

you could probably do a search. They were suspending security in Dallas.

I agree with you. Clinton is my candidate of choice, but I worry about Obama, especially since he is invoking MLK, JFK, RFK--all of whom were murdered.

[AZBlue]

10. I worry about Clinton too.

Between the fact that there are Americans who don't want a female President and her last name, she also needs proper security. They all do.

[Obamaman2008]

9. trust me the security is awsome! I saw him in Boise and

There were several layers of security. He has at least 6 secret service I could spot. I am sure he had others I couldn't.

The closer you are to him in the rally, the tighter the security. It would not be possible for someone to get at him unless it was someone that was close to him personally and wanted to hurt him, and then why do it at a rally. I believe anyone that even looked at Obama funny would probably be ripped apart alive by the crowd anyway.

They have methods that prevent people, and they know who to watch and what to watch for.

The way that political assasinations are done today are not with bullets. They are done with airplane crashes and personal attacks. If someone was shot, there would endless investagations and conspiracy theories.

[Rosemary2205]

12. I went to see Bill Clinton and John Edwards and it felt the same.

I don't normally attend giant throngs of people gatherings as there can be incredibly rude A-holes who don't understand the limitations of being in a power chair - but a friend and fellow wheelie begged me to take a group in my chair van (I can get 5 wheelchairs in there besides mine)- so off we went. Security seemed almost invisible. -- Just the token obvious security guys to give some visibility. The pros who will do the actual harm at these events aren't concerned with visible security so there is really no need for a swat team out there. Good security should be nearly invisible.

Disney knows that. The Secret service knows that. I wish the TSA would figure it out too.

[bicentennial_baby]

13. Crazy tight in Boston

It was at the World Trade center here, my friend who works security there said that the SS was there for a week beforehand, checking absolutely everything out. We were screened by the TSA, very very thoroughly. The SS was everywhere inside, stone cold and very alert.