I shook hands with Rick Perry last night.

[Lil Missy]

I recently learned that Rick Perry was going to be at a local restaurant (Tishes) last night, so I thought I'd go check it out.

There was a Perry protest by the driveway entrance to the place. I gave them a thumbs up, and ventured into the parking lot where I was directed where to park. You could see the secret service and security everywhere. The event was outside, but I went into the restraint to eat. And I wasn't too anxious to tell anyone there that I was a Liberal Democrat.

So I'm in the place eating my dinner, and Rick Perry arrives with Secret Service on his way to the crowd outside on the other end of the place. There were not many of us inside. He went to one table to visit, and on his way through he came to me to shake my hand and comment on my dinner. After I finished eating I went outside to listen to his speech. I remember that most of what he said, I thought to myself - that is not true.

Anyway, that was a first for me - attending a political event. (Besides the Iowa Caucus) It was interesting to see all the Secret Service around and experience the excitement in the air. It was chilly. There were a lot of farmers there, one I overheard declaring his support for rush, hannity, and beck. Yuk.

On my way out someone handed me a flyer, inviting me to an evening with Newt and Callista next Monday. To watch their film. I'll pass on that one. I'm afraid I'd vomit.

Tomorrow I'm going to a Steak Fry for Senator Harkin, another first for me. The keynote speaker is Paul Begala!! And Senator Bernie Sanders will make an appearance too. I can't wait!!!!

[Liberal_in_LA]

1. wash your hands

[3waygeek]

9. And count your fingers. n/t

[hobbit709]

11. Better go through full hazardous materials decontamination.

[FarLeftFist]

2. I love how these anti-Govt types can't be seen without Govt workers hanging around.

[rucky]

3. Why does Rick Perry get Secret Service protection?

Or does Texas have their own SS?

[TexasProgresive]

10. As in Waffen SS. see my reply down stream.

[Horse with no Name]

4. Why does Rick Perry have Secret Service detail??

I would bet those are more like Blackwater "contractors".

[cali]

5. huh? Perry has a Secret Service detail? That's weird.

[proud2BlibKansan]

6. Why does he have secret service protection?

They usually don't assign SS to a candidate until they are the official party nominee.

[TexasProgresive]

16. You are correct. He's got his own security detail play acting

like Secret Service so he looks presidential.

[TexasProgresive]

7. Those are fake Secret Service agents

They are Perry's security detail which I and the rest of Texas are paying for. Only the president and opposing party candidates get Secret Service protection.

And I agree with the other poster- WASH.YOUR.HANDS!

[Frustratedlady]

15. Didn't Obama get protection early on because of so many threats?

That seems to be in the back of my brain, somewhere. Maybe I'm wrong.

[TexasProgresive]

18. I think not. And when he got them it seemed like they weren't

going out of their way to protect him.

[dems_rightnow]

23. You think wrong.

Obama got Secret Security protection assigned in May, 2007, at his request.

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2007/05/barack_obama_ge/

[TexasProgresive]

25. I stand corrected- a candidate for a party's nomination can

receive Secret Service protection. But Perry is not unless something has changed. From the link you posted:

Candidates qualify for Secret Service protection after a committee approves someone as a major candidate. That five-member committee includes the speaker of the House, the House minority leader, the Senate majority and minority leaders and one additional legislator selected by those committee members. It is chaired by the Department of Homeland Security. The criteria normally include an announcement of candidacy, prominence, major party affiliation, fundraising and matching funds. Some of those criteria may not be required at this early date.

[dems_rightnow]

30. Any candidate can

receive Secret Service Protection, at the order of the Secretary of the Treasury. Obama requested and received protection in May. I doubt that Perry has, but I guess I don't know.

[proud2BlibKansan]

35. Yes those were special circumstances due to the number of threats

First time the SS had ever protected a candidate who was not yet an official nominee.

[Fire Walk With Me]

8. IIRC any presidential candidate automatically acquires SS protection.

Or sompin'.

[nadinbrzezinski]

12. Until they are nominated

why the SS protection strikes me as change in protocol

[TexasProgresive]

14. He's not a candidate. Those are paid for by Texas tax payers.

[mfcorey1]

17. I thought that was for candidates in the general election.

[Fire Walk With Me]

19. Ah, see? He =acts= like he's nominated and fooled me. ;)

[Arctic Dave]

13. My wife shook hands and got a picture with Jim Dean, Howard Deans brother, today.

She is at campaign training. 101 people showed up.

[rsmith6621]

20. As Many Of You On DU Know About Me.....

.....I would not have kept my mouth shut I would have been all over him with words....

[EFerrari]

21. It's fun to be there yourself, isn't it?

:)

[GoCubsGo]

22. Did you spit on your hand first?

Herman Cain was in my town yesterday. I passed because I don't like to vomit, either.

[TexasProgresive]

27. Do you think spitting on your hand and then shaking is an insult?

It's a sign of sealing a deal.

Why do people spit on their hand when they shake hands?
In: Manners and Etiquette
Answers.com > Wiki Answers > Categories > Relationships > Manners and Etiquette > Why do people spit on their hand when they shake hands?
Answer:

It is a primitive way of solemnizing a bargain. It is not done in "polite society."

Even more primitively, this saliva swapping derived from the old blood oath, of making a cut in the hand and co-mingling blood. Now, we say , for persons of integrity, " His word is his bond" .No bodily fluids need be exchanged.

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Why_do_people_spit_on_their_hand_when_they_shake_hands

[GoCubsGo]

29. I wouldn't want a handful of spit, deal or no deal.

Yuk! Especially if there's a nice ball of phlegm in it. ;-)

[TexasProgresive]

32. It comes from an ealier time when people were more earthy

In 19 and early 20th century Ireland you would not have been able to buy or sell anything of worth.

[GoCubsGo]

52. I understand that.

I still wouldn't enjoy a handful of spit, deal or no deal. This isn't 19th Century Ireland.

[brooklynite]

24. They weren't Secret Service...they were Texas Rangers

US Government doesn't get involved this early unless there's a clearly identified threat to a candidate.

[newspeak]

26. I was eating at a thai restaurant in Utah and Sen. Hatch

came in to ask directions. My friend, who's supposed to be a democrat, started gushing "ooh that;s Sen Hatch." The waitress and I looked at each other and both said at the same time "big deal."

[Trajan]

28. I shook hands with Fred Armisen at the Devo concert in Portland

Not that it matters .... LOL ..... But hey; Fred's cool too .....

[Warren DeMontague]

34. I heard "Portlandia" got renewed for a 2nd season... cant figure out why.

I mean, I'm perfectly capable of laughing at myself, and this place.. but the show's just not that funny.

[Auntie Bush]

31. Did you wash, disinfect or sanitize your hands afterward?

Who knows whose pockets those hands have been in?

[Lucian]

33. I would've refused to shake his hand.

And stared coldly at him.

[pacalo]

37. I would have said, "Please. I'm eating."

[valerief]

36. I hope you blew snots into your hand before you shook it. nt

[jberryhill]

38. You should definitely go to the Newt and Callista thing

I would pay cash money to actually see that woman's hair in real life.

Some people wonder how things like the pyramids or Stonehenge were built. Her hair is an eighth wonder of the world.

[Lil Missy]

41. ROTFLOL!!

You make a good point!

Maybe I will go, just to get a picture of her to post here. LOL!

That was funny.

[reformist2]

44. No! Don't do it! It's a trap!!!

She will hypnotize you, with her crazy death-stare!

[Lil Missy]

46. Oh my ... a cross between a porcelain doll and a stepford wife - made of wax

[peekaloo]

49. She hides the family jewels in that beehive.

His and hers!

[lonestarnot]

39. Did you check your fucking pockets?

[whatchamacallit]

40. Was it like this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNCpH8EwR40&feature=related

[LeftishBrit]

42. Hope you washed your hands thoroughly afterwards!!!

But tomorrow's agends sounds great! Enjoy it!

[Hoosier Daddy]

43. Why does Rick Perry need Secret Service?

Surely he could just go coyote on anyone threatening him! ;-)

[Militant_Liberal]

45. Next time Stink Palm him

Google Stink Plam if you don't know what it is.

[peekaloo]

48. I think the OP is the one who got stink palmed.

He's all ass.

[David Sky]

47. Perry already has Secret Service? Do all 10 or 12 Republican wannabees have

Secret Service?

This is an outrage, and a waste of taxpayer money!


I'm half serious! The guy is Texan and white and can carry his own gun.

[bobbieinok]

50. Harkin is still MY senator

I'm now in OK ('nuff said)

I remember when he ran for House in 72; he lost, but his wife Ruth was elected Story County DA, the first woman DA in IA.

Harkin then won in the democratic sweep in 74. My son was 3 and the 5 when Harkin ran; he 'helped' at county headquarters by picking up paper, pins, and coins fallen on the floor.

[moondust]

51. Next time...bite it and run!

(The hand that would gladly kill you that is!)

:evilgrin:

[Honeycombe8]

53. You have been blessed, my son. Go, and sin no more! nt