As Obama Security Rises, Lapses Remain

[RamboLiberal]

Source: ABC News

Last May, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., was issued a full-time Secret Service detail, an unusual event so early in the election season, but one that reflected the potential threat against him.

Yet, despite the intense security ring protecting the presidential candiate, questions remain about security, especially among the huge crowds the candidate draws.

At a rally last week in Dallas, hundreds of supporters were allowed into the event without undergoing complete screening checks that are standard at Obama events. In an effort to accommodate the 17,000-strong crowd, Secret Service agents ordered local police to stop searching each supporter who entered the event  at least the third time reporters have noted such a lapse in recent months.

In October, at events in Prince George's County, Va., and Madison, Wis., the Secret Service detail also elected to relax security measures to speed up entry of the swarms of Obama supporters. While part of the problem may simply be the size of the crowds at Obama events, Secret Service agents are now tightening up security measures to better protect him.

"It looks like Obama is the Democratic front-runner, plus he's an African-American, so I'm not surprised by the protection, at all. In fact, I think it's good that they're tightening security," said David Katz, CEO of the Global Security Group, and a former FBI instructor and DEA special agent.



Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2008/story?id=4350538&page=1

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Nothing damn well better happen to this man! As far as I'm concerned Secret Service has no damn excuse.

[OhioChick]

1. This is Cause for Great Concern. n/t

[zonmoy]

2. lapses or

stand down orders so the cabals assassin can get in.

[OhioChick]

3. My First Thought....

But Didn't Want to Say It.

[jasmine621]

4. Just ask Jesse Jackson what he and his family went through in '84 and '88. nt

[Journeyman]

5. I didn't see anything in the article about measures Obama's advance team have taken. . .

to reduce the risk to him; i.e., encouraging supporters to arrive early to spread out the crush at the gates. Anyone know if the candidates have taken any steps to ensure their security?

[shireen]

6. i really worry about that ... too many demented freaks out there. nt

[woundedkarma]

7. what I read/heard somewhere is

That the fbi did not pull down security at that event and that they had decided it was unnecessary to screen them more than they had. Whether that's WORSE or BETTER than stopping security, I don't know.

I'm not sure I believe that the Secret Service would really do anything that would leave someone under their watch vulnerable purposely. They certainly have a reputation for taking their job seriously and how many times have they failed? JFK, Reagan......??? And in JFK's case, whoever decided to use a convertible was the person who truly failed. (Possibly JFK's decision?)

I'm pretty comfortable with the Secret Service's protection. What worries me is that part of that protection, everywhere he goes, is provided by local, less dedicated, less trained people who are probably more susceptible to bribes or blackmail.

I would never have a problem hearing that Obama got MORE security than anyone else. He is very likely to be our next President if he can survive and I think we'll be very, very lucky to have him.