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Was president in danger from dinner crashers?

This screen image made from Michaele Salahi's Facebook page shows a photo of White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel, left, with Michaele Salahi and Tareq Salahi, right, at the White House state dinner in Washington on Tuesday Nov. 24, 2009. AP PHOTO
 
By LARRY MARGASAK Associated Press Writer
Published: 11/27/2009  5:10 AM
Last Modified: 11/27/2009  5:10 AM

WASHINGTON — The Secret Service maintains that President Barack Obama was never in danger at a state dinner after an uninvited Virginia couple got through security, but it wouldn't comment on whether anyone is screened for radiological or biological weapons.

Edwin Donovan, a Secret Service spokesman, said Thursday the agency doesn't discuss the levels of security screening at the White House.

Donovan had said earlier that Michaele and Tareq Salahi went through the same security screening for weapons as the 300-plus people invited to the dinner Tuesday for Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Bravo Media, meanwhile, confirmed that on the day of the dinner Michaele Salahi was being filmed around Washington and while she prepared for the dinner by a film crew connected with the network's reality show, "The Real Housewives of D.C.," because she is being considered for the upcoming TV program.

"Half Yard's cameras were not inside the White House. They filmed the couple preparing for the event," Johanna Fuentes, Bravo Media's vice president, communications, said in an e-mail late Thursday. She said the Salahis "informed Half Yard that they were invited (to the dinner), the producers had no reason to believe otherwise."

Fuentes referred further questions to the Virginia couple's attorney and publicist.

The White House refused comment on the Salahis and referred all calls to the Secret Service.

Ronald Kessler, author of a book on the Secret Service, said, "While the couple did pass through a magnetometer to detect weapons, they could have assassinated the president or vice president using other means — anthrax, for example." He added the Secret Service would not detect secreted biological weapons.

Kessler, a journalist, wrote "In the President's Secret Service: Behind the Scenes with Agents in the Line of Fire and the Presidents They Protect."

The author added that it's unlikely the Secret Service performed the usual background check to ensure that the crashers were not possible threats.

"The party crashers could have had outstanding arrest warrants for murder. They could have been involved with terrorists. They could have been agents of Iran or North Korea. The Secret Service would never have known," he said.

Donovan said the officers at the checkpoint did not follow proper procedure when the Salahis arrived and it was determined they had not been invited.

But he declined to reveal anything the Secret Service knows about what happened next.

During President George W. Bush's administration, it was standard procedure to have someone from the White House social office at the gate for state dinners and other events with large groups of visitors, according to a former senior Bush aide who spoke on condition of anonymity so as not to be seen as criticizing the Obama White House.

The social office is most knowledgeable about the guest list and could have been called in case of any uncertainty, this official said.

White House Social Secretary Desiree Rogers, asked by the AP on Thursday whether personnel from her office were at the checkpoint said, "We were not."

The Salahis bragged about their success on their Facebook page.

"Honored to be at the White House for the state dinner in honor of India with President Obama and our First Lady!" they wrote.

And, along with photos of the couple standing with prominent people at the event, including Vice President Joe Biden, they wrote: "A Sensational Night honoring India."

And this posting under a picture of Michaele with Biden: "OMG! SO EXCITING!!!!!! IRISH EYES ARE SMILING TOGETHER!"


Associated Press writer H. Josef Hebert contributed to this report.

By LARRY MARGASAK Associated Press Writer

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Bullhead, Tenkiller (11/27/2009 6:15:22 AM)
I don't even know what to say about this. I wonder who all got fired over this one.
Report Comment
Popeye, T-Town (11/27/2009 6:25:27 AM)
Of course the President was in danger. You can't have strangers loose in any situation, ever!

[[During President George W. Bush's administration, it was standard procedure to have someone from the White House social office at the gate for state dinners and other events with large groups of visitors, according to a former senior Bush aide who spoke on condition of anonymity so as not to be seen as criticizing the Obama White House.]]

Face it: the White House can't even perform the most basic of tasks. Is it any wonder we're in the mess we're in?
Report Comment
Whoknew?, Tulsa (11/27/2009 6:46:08 AM)
Bull I thought this same thing yesterday. Somebody will be filing for unemployment today.
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FUTURE WORLD, Tulsa (11/27/2009 6:49:38 AM)
I can only imagine the Secret Service is busy waterboarding persons of interest as we speak.
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DBJohn, Tulsa (11/27/2009 7:03:26 AM)
"Houston, call Washington, we have a problem."
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ikesdad, Tahlequah (11/27/2009 7:31:03 AM)
You would certainly think that security would be tighter than this. Not only were there many people there from our administration but I suppose many other dignitaries, celebrities and the Indian prime minister. Wow! If these people would have had harming someone as their goal instead of taking pics with famous people then that could have been very dangerous. Ever heard of a guest list?
Report Comment
Dr. Strangelove, Las Vegas (11/27/2009 7:41:12 AM)
They need to hire the gate crew from the Playboy mansion. Those guys don't mess around.
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Travelin Man, tulsa (11/27/2009 7:43:03 AM)
Do they know balloon boy's Dad?I am sure there where no sharp object in the room of the dinner.so much for security.
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Dr. Strangelove, Las Vegas (11/27/2009 7:46:09 AM)
Naaah Dusty- just show up at that Boots and BBQ deal Gov. Henry has, wear a Southern Hills button down, starched Wranglers, and a Stetson. You can still walk right in.
Report Comment
Thunder196, Tulsa (11/27/2009 8:11:46 AM)
I heard this story on nightly news. The vehicle got turned away but not the people in it. The person following them with the camera seemed to get a lot of nice pictures. The make up artist that was seen touching up their makeup did a nice job.
LOL
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Dr. Strangelove, Las Vegas (11/27/2009 8:12:09 AM)
Good story Dusty. Here are the Dr's. party crasher rules, they work, trust me.

#1: Properly reconnoiter the event, identify the service entrance and kitchen areas if possible.

#2: Dress appropriately for the event.

#3: It helps to be carrying a large item (gift, party decoration, cake or platter of food, etc). You're hands aren't free, so it discourages someone asking for an invite or ID.

#4: Whether you gain entry through the front or back doors, immediately make your way to the service area, don't talk to anyone.

#5: Scan the event and look for anyone who specifically knows you shouldn't be there.

#6: Grab a cocktail or whatever 90% of the people are drinking and ask the help if they can show you where the bathroom is (that way you gain legitimacy by being walked through the crowd by someone who is part of the event).

#7: Mingle, don't get drunk. Don't ask for as picture unless everyone else is doing it.

#8: Be prepared to leave immediately with little fanfare if asked.
Report Comment
Thunder196, Tulsa (11/27/2009 8:17:08 AM)
Last I heard they were being detained, didn't know if charges would be filed. I guess the secret service wants to punish the ones who put the egg on their faces.
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2curious, Tulsa, OK 74104 (11/27/2009 8:32:30 AM)
"Was the President in Danger" -

The answer is: Apparently not.
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C-Bar , The Barn Yard (11/27/2009 9:03:28 AM)
Did they get a pic with the anointed one???
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Worried about the system, Tulsa (11/27/2009 9:16:15 AM)
Why is this in the news? Security breaches shouldn't be reported.
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heydiddy, Tulsa (11/27/2009 10:18:40 AM)
I wonder if they checked under the Prime Minister's turbin too?
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Angry Citizen!, Bluejacket (11/27/2009 11:10:22 AM)
I wonder what was promised to India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the dinner?
Report Comment
Thunder196, Tulsa (11/27/2009 12:29:46 PM)
You got some splainin to do. Bet they had a lot explaining to do. Think they learned anything. Only time will tell.
Report Comment
just passing through, (11/27/2009 1:53:19 PM)
It is my understanding that they were the guests of someone from the Embassy of India, not the Ambassador but a Diplomat. This Diplomat is supposely well known to those in the White House and to the Secret Service.

If this is the case, since the fellow who 'crashed' the party is from India, then the problem (if there is one) is not with the Secret Service at all but with the State Departments' Diplomatic Corp.

If this is really the case then they were not party crashers at all but were invited guests for the social hour before the dinner. A Diplomat can invite guests if they wish, and the party was for the PM of India.

If they were this persons' guests they would also have Diplomatic Immunity as, by treaty, where ever they are, as long as they are with him, they are immune from arrest.

It would be interesting to see who is issuing the press releases over this. Follow the money......
Report Comment
GretaSue, Broken Arrow (11/27/2009 4:21:15 PM)
So this social climbing couple crashed a party, no big deal, the president wasn't in danger... this time... Lack of or lax security is never appropriate, and just opens the door for those that would be looking to cause harm..
Report Comment
FUTURE WORLD, Tulsa (11/27/2009 5:23:12 PM)
There is never an excuse for lax security when it involves the President. Never
Report Comment
Elusive, Owasso (11/27/2009 5:31:17 PM)
They had pictures taken with Biden and Rahm Emmanuel. If they had been a threat they could have taken them out and others. These people are wannabe's.
Report Comment
FUTURE WORLD, Tulsa (11/27/2009 7:40:59 PM)
I'm certain the Secret Service is busy waterboarding all persons of interest.
Report Comment
Rimshot, Corn, OK (11/27/2009 8:52:11 PM)
And we're trusting this group to protect the country's borders? They can't even guard their own dinners.
Report Comment
Carl, Henryetta (11/27/2009 11:44:53 PM)
I think this is GREAT. it demonstrated a LACK of security and HOPEFULLY taught the Secret Service a big lesson. I would make an example of the knucklehead who allowed them in when they were NOT on "the list".

I don't think they should be charged - they didn't force their way in nor cause any trouble. They actually performed a service by breaching security.

I think if I was Obama, I'd invite them over for a brew, simply because they have chutzpah.
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