Should an SS agent been close enough to block the second shoe throw?

[kid a]

It happened pretty fast fast, but it seemed the whole room was caught off guard by the angry journalist.

If someone misses on any attempt to hurt Obama, I hope the SS are prepared.

[goclark]

1. I wondered the same thing, where was the SS?

Isn't this the first time anyone ever touched the Boy King?

[jaxx]

2. What happened?

I just got home from shopping.

[ellacott]

4. An Iraqi Journalist Threw a Shoe at Bush

[jaxx]

7. Wow that's bad.

He could have been throwing anything.

[northernlights]

3. * favors cronyism over competence

He got exactly the secret service protection he deserved. The brownies did a heckuvajob, if you ask me.

[napi21]

10. AFAIK cronieism hasn't infiltrated the SS.I know 2 retired agents and one active.

These guys and gals are professionals and take their job VERY SERIOUSLY! Even when there's an official they don't really like, they know they job is to protect his/her life and they do so.

If I had to guess, I'd say that noone, including Shrub & the SS guys didn't anticipate any problems because the people there were known to them and had never been a problem in the past. They DO try to respect the wishes of the person they are protecting, and I can presume Shrub asked them not to crowd him behind the podium because he wanted things to "look" peaceful there. Having guards right next to your elbow kinda ruins that impression.

[ellacott]

5. They were sitting in the front row

They got up very casually after the second show was thrown. I do hope they respond better with Obama.

[ellacott]

6. dupe

[ddeclue]

8. They're supposed to take a bullet for him... I don't know about shoes though...

[Vinca]

9. I wondered why Shrub didn't duck behind the podium, but

I suppose that would have ruined his cowboy image.

[LiberalFighter]

12. He prefers using the door but remembers the last time it was locked.

[LiberalFighter]

11. Secret Service should had thrown their own shoe.

Either at the shoe thrower or Bush. Take your pick.

[bbinacan]

13. Bush waved off the SS agent. n/t

[Adsos Letter]

17. I noticed that also...Bush didn't seem concerned about it...other than to duck.

[rainbow4321]

19. The one he waved off didn't even leave his seat til after the second one was thrown

He got up and approached chimp after the 2nd shoe was already thrown and on the floor. If you look for the ABC video posted here on DU, that is when the guy got up, approached the podium and chimp said "I'm alright" and waved him off.
Really weird scenario/timing.

[yardwork]

21. That makes me wonder if the whole scene was planned in advance to generate sympathy for *

1. The shrub was uncharacteristically nimble. Normally he can't walk straight, much less dodge two shoes. Prepared in advance?

2. Would the secret service have been all over the shoe-thrower the moment he stood up and threw the first one?

Hmmmmmm....

[Occam Bandage]

22. No. This was highly embarrassing for the current administration.

The outgoing White House wants to paint a picture of a stable, thankful Iraq emerging from a long, dark battle alongside America against much-reviled extremists. Journalists throwing shoes--an act of absolute disdain--tend to run at odds with such an image.

[yardwork]

23. We all know that Iraq is a mess.

[opihimoimoi]

14. The good ones are guarding Obama

[ogneopasno]

15. I'm surprised Bush wasn't pushed to the floor instantly. Where was the SS?

[mucifer]

16. The man on the podium next to bush had very little facial expression didn't seem

scared he was like "a shoe, whatever". I'm sure they are all in the room searched by security before they enter. You can't just strip everyone naked. It looked to me like a secret serv guy lunged at him I don't see what much more could have been done.

[zulchzulu]

18. I thought about the Shoe Bomber...

If you know what you're doing, you could make for more than stinkfoot in a shoe...

[Generic Brad]

20. They vow to take a bullet for the president

Shoes are not in their job description.

[onenote]

24. have you seen video of Obama's press conferences?

see a secret service agent in the picture?

No, you don't. Because press briefings are closed events and after everyone goes through security the risk is considered slight. So whether its chimpy or obama, you're not going to have a secret service agent a step or two away.

[gmoney]

25. The SS is operating on a shoestring budget as it is!

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