Obama now has 10 Secret Service agents protecting him...since his Iowa win. The NH Democratic Party

[in_cog_ni_to]

chair was on C-SPAN this morning and said that since Obama's win in Iowa, he has had more threats against his life and his SS detail rivals that of the psycho-in-chief's. I posted the other day about the NH Democratic Party 100 Club's dinner where Richardson and Obama gave speeches. Everyone there was on their feet going wild. Richardson gave his speech, as everyone stood and cheered. After Richardson gave his speech, the MC went to the microphone and said, "For security purposes, we need to have everyone in their seats before Senator Obama can come out." The people wouldn't sit, so Obama went out anyway, but after his speech, he had a TON of SS agents around him. Now I know why.:(

[shadowknows69]

1. I really wish the ignorant of this country would just interbreed themselves out of existence

[dysfunctional press]

5. unfortunately, it works the other way...see: "idiocracy"

[tekisui]

2. Amazing.

People with so much hate.

[RL3AO]

3. He'll be fine.

Hell, the SS has been able to keep Bush alive for 7 years.

[in_cog_ni_to]

10. I so hope so. I do worry about him, but our security capabilities are much better than they were

back in the 60s. You just never know though. I guess the SS checks EVERYONE who enters one of his rallies....even the media and their equipment....that's what this guy said on C-SPAN this morning.

[Zynx]

23. That's because Bush's opponents are civil.

Republicans have a violent segment of their party.

[Horse with no Name]

24. That's because "our" side has no history of violent political intervention

It's their side that always kills what they cannot stop legally.

[in_cog_ni_to]

26. GREAT point. n/t

[midlife_mo_Jo]

50. White supremacists probably weren't targeting Bush

I truly believe that an African American man can win the presidency (even if he is my second choice).

On the other hand, white supremacists are going to make his campaign very dangerous. That is scary.

[HCE SuiGeneris]

53. What specialized instrument do you use to predict the future?

How many of this nation's greatest leaders have been assassinated, and how many were GOP? I wish him safety with every fiber of my being, but history does not support your "confident" assertion.

[Vinca]

4. Along with his other attributes, Senator Obama is a very brave man. nt

[momster]

6. Just Protection from O'Reilly

'cause that sucker is cr-a-a-azy.

[RamboLiberal]

7. Moonie Times had this today

Secret Service presence has increased for Sen. Barack Obama since his dramatic win in Iowa, amid fears over the safety of the man seeking to become America's first black president.

The Illinois senator's security now rivals that of President Bush, with a dozen Secret Service agents wearing dark suits and earpieces leading bomb-sniffing dogs through event venues, sweeping all equipment brought by journalists and flanking the candidate as he plunges into crowds of supporters.

"For many black supporters, there is a lot of anxiety that he will be killed, and it is on people's minds," said Melissa Harris-Lacewell, a Princeton University professor of political science and contemporary black culture.

"You can't make a prediction like this — like he has 'a 50 percent chance of getting shot.' But the greater his visibility and the greater his access to people, there is a danger," she said.

-----

The Internet is rife with theories that someone may try to assassinate the senator — typing into Google "assassinate Obama" brings up more than 2,000 hits. Anyone from Islamist terrorists to racist Americans to operatives of Halliburton and Blackwater are speculated about, but other, more nefarious Web sites are for real, according to reports from the Associated Press.

http://washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080107/NATION/415598644/1001

[MiniMe]

21. Hmmm, not sure that is a wise google search

just saying :hi:

[GrantDem]

52. That was my thought....

:scared:

[MiniMe]

57. Agent Mike is still out there

[Skinner]

8. Damn.

I know I argued that America is ready for an African-American president. But that doesn't change the disturbing fact there is still a hard-core minority of really fucked-up racist assholes.

In 2008. Unreal.

[in_cog_ni_to]

12. I know. It's so damn sad! n/t

[aquart]

17. They're not the ones he has to worry about.

If someone does go gunning for him, it will be a disillusioned worshipper.

[Skinner]

20. That is really in bad taste.

And, IMO, not really appropriate for this thread, considering the seriousness of this issue.

[HCE SuiGeneris]

54. Now another person claiming prescience of the future within this thread.

Blanket statements like this really degrade the dialog here.

[Horse with no Name]

25. Not so sure it is entirely racial

I think that perhaps ANY of our Democratic candidates might be a target.

[in_cog_ni_to]

27. Please. Get real.

:(

[Horse with no Name]

29. I am.

I am not at all denying the racial component...it exists, but there are factions out there that are going to resist a "changing of the republican guard" if you will. Our country has been so polarized by these monsters and Rush, O'Reilly, Beck, et al do a very good job in keeping the base stirred up.
I think deep down inside that was a factor of why Gore didn't run.

[in_cog_ni_to]

30. There's 2 candidates running who have SS protection....Hillary and Barack.

Hillary, because she's an ex first lady and Barack, because he's a man of color. No one else has been threatened or they would have SS too.

[OzarkDem]

40. I agree, all Dem candidates will be targets

as will any Dem who is elected. The right wingers always go nuts when a Dem is elected president. They've been fed so much hatred and venom by hate tv and radio they don't know any other way to react.

Over the last decade or more they've been programmed to think any Democrat is a dire threat to their personal safety and freedom. They're far more angry, irrational and violent than the John Birchers back in the days of JFK. What we saw during Clinton's terms (OKC bombings, etc) will be multiplied if a Dem wins in November. The right wing politicization of our military is also going to become a big problem, too.

[Mr_Monday]

47. Yeah

Democrats are usually angry, but realize that they can weather a repug candidate for 4 years (we've had good training.) Conservatives however, are taught (through those channels you mentioned) that if any democrat wins, Gay terrorists will murder their family. So they act accordingly.

[never_get_over_it]

35. I read your post on why you think America is ready

and I so want to believe you are right - but sadly I think you're not - especially after the swiftboaters go after the Muslim "thing"

And with the way Hillary has being treated I don't think we're ready for a woman either

and although I have more political issues with Obama and Clinton then I do Edwards - the thought that race and gender would decide this breaks my heart.....

This country is SO SCREWED UP....

[WolverineDG]

38. Well, hopefully when he is elected

their heads will explode & we won't need to worry about those racist knuckle-draggers anymore.

dg

[pscot]

9. Whatever it takes

He's going to be a target. He must be protected.

[99th_Monkey]

11. I hope they keep BillO at bay as well. He's weilds a mean loofa when crossed.

Don't mean to make light of Obama's situation security-wise.. but couldn't resist a chance to throw a dig at LoofaBoy.

I hope they have Obama's back, and may he stay safe and well. It's a sad day for America when "change" candidates need such
massive protection even before the conventions.

[rocktivity]

13. Actually, it's to keep Bill O'Reilly away.

The same thing happened to Hank Aaron and Tiger Woods on their way to the top.

:(
rocknation

[Missy Vixen]

48. The sports fans in the thread

may remember what happened when Ian Johnson, the Boise State football player, asked his cheerleader girlfriend to marry him on live national TV last year. http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/bowls06/news/story?id=2716980 Mr. Johnson is African-American. The new Mrs. Johnson is Caucasian.

The couple was the target of death threats. They also had to pay for additional security at their wedding as a result. It's hard to believe that it's 2008 and this shit is still going on, isn't it?

Julie

[midlife_mo_Jo]

51. Boise?

Isn't Idaho home to supremacist organizations?

[stillcool]

14. I'm sure he and his family...

are very aware of the risk he is taking. Hell..the whole world is. what a life.

[in_cog_ni_to]

15. Michelle has to be worried sick. I know I would be! n/t

[stillcool]

28. can not imagine...

I suppose you get used to the fear...on that kind of level.

[Mojorabbit]

16. I hope ten is enough.

I hope they are constatntly evaluating their security coverage. This is scary. Sometimes I hate people.

[in_cog_ni_to]

22. I know. After that dinner speech, they encircled him. All of them were looking at the hands of all

the people trying to get to him. Just watching them, I was frightened for him and then I heard the guy on C-SPAN this morning and was just sick to my stomach. :(

[The Stranger]

18. If anything happened to Obama, all fucking Hell would break loose.

The city ghettoes would go up in a matter of hours. It would make the late 1960's look like Victorian England.

I trust and hope that the Secret Service can do its job, despite the challenge it presents, so that the next leader can be chosen by an election, not violence.

[Mimosa]

19. Obama's Secret Service

On the Obama official website I saw a community blog with good photos. I noticed how strong the Secret Service presence was among a crowd. I was impressed to see they have appointed him highly experienced agaents with eagle eyes.

If anything happened to Obama I would feel more depressed than I ever have in my life. Let's all try to send GOOD ENERGY to him and his wonderful family.

[Seen the light]

31. Reminds me of the first season of 24

(Plot centered around the plot to assassinate the first black man with a real chance at the White House on Super Tuesday.)

Jack Bauer....where are you when we need you???? :D

Oh crap, did I just mention 24 on DU without bashing it? WAIT! *puts on flamesuit* Much better! :P

[in_cog_ni_to]

33. I've never seen that show. They really had this as a plot?

:scared: I hope he stays home on Super Tuesday then! Damnit.

[Seen the light]

39. Yep

Assassins had a plot to kill David Palmer (the first black candidate with a real chance at the nomination) in Los Angeles. He was campaigning there that day on Super Tuesday because California was having its primary that day. Jack Bauer had to save him.

That season came out in 2001. Palmer went on to win the election and become a really admired president on the show in subsequent seasons.

People like to slam the couple of conservative idiots they have on 24 like Joel Surnow, but the reality is that I think 24 helped change the mindsets lots of Americans had towards black politicians. I'd like to think that there are at least some 24 fans out there that see a real-life David Palmer in Barack Obama.

Might sound cheesy, but hey....I love 24!

[RL3AO]

42. Still my favorite show.

And for all that DU rips on the show, the Dem presidents have all be admirable while one of the GOP presidents was behind a terror attack on the US to get his piece of Asian oil. He was arrested for treason at the end of the season.

[AlinPA]

32. Lets hope that the SS is independent- I worry about the fact that Bush**-Rove-Cheney

are in charge of the SS through "Homeland Security".

[in_cog_ni_to]

34. Oh G-d! I hadn't even thought of THAT scenario!

shit. But some here on DU believe the SS could NEVER be compromised. We've had that discussion before. I asked this question on Kerry's behalf and was assured the SS would NEVER do such a thing, but then again....the psycho and Darth hadn't taken total control over EVERYTHING in 2003.:( That-is-a-frightening-thought.

[Missy Vixen]

49. My husband is a volunteer at a local police department

He and other volunteers were tasked with making sure the SS agents with Bush were fed when Bush visited here a couple of years ago. He was told by more than one agent that it doesn't matter what their personal feelings are about the person in question, they do their jobs. Period.

My former boss was a retired Secret Service agent. I don't think I've met a finer person.

They picked the best and the brightest to protect Senator Obama. They will ensure his safety because that is what they joined the SS to do. It is a point of pride within their organization.
Julie

[Happyhippychick]

36. How many Secret Service does he need to protect him from Douchebag O'Reilly?

[Alexander]

37. Just read some of the hateful tripe here at DU, and you'll know why.

In the past 72 hours, we have heard that:

-Obama dealt crack at the age of 14.

-Obama's house was bought by a mobster.

-Obama is like Adolf Hitler.

All on DU.

:puke:

[in_cog_ni_to]

41. Sad. Sad. Sad. We should save that tripe for the repukes.

:(

[HooptieWagon]

43. For protection from ORielly?

just sayin'....

[in_cog_ni_to]

44. I think not. This is no joke. It's very serious.

:(

[lovuian]

45. They must have heard Dr Evelyn Paglini's forecast

she put out a protective spell because she saw some darkness around Obama that wished him ill

She has a pretty decent track record

Its pretty horrible to be nervous for him in this early stages but America is right now a very scary place to live

Lets hope Obama is well protected

[Elspeth]

56. WHO?

:rofl:

[lovuian]

46. They must have heard Dr Evelyn Paglini's forecast

she put out a protective spell because she saw some darkness around Obama that wished him ill

She has a pretty decent track record

Its pretty horrible to be nervous for him in this early stages but America is right now a very scary place to live

Lets hope Obama is well protected

[ellisonz]

55. The MC said safety, not security.